CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 435

424

- 3

manufacture, sale and districution to the consumers) has by experience been proved to be the only effective way towards the control of consumption.

The Committee heard the experience of the countries which have tried the system of licensing and rationing. As a result of over 20 years' experience in formoss the Japanese delegation declares that, in view of the special conditions existing in that island, the best method of bringing about gradual and complete suppression is to adopt a system of registering incurable victims of the habit and of rationing them daily.

Serious doubts were expressed by the Chairman and other members as to the possibility of enforcing such a system in great centres of population, where there are many smokers, under present conditions, on the ground that

2

an enormous increase of the illicit traffic way to be foered

from any severe restrictive measures.

The Committee also considered the question of drogs.

Experience in the different territories (with the exception

of Formosa where the prices are exceptionally low) showed

that the prohibition of the sale of drose provides a check.

The Committee recognised, however, that fully satisfactory

results cannot be expected from this measure, as its enforce-

ment meets with great difficulties. Other measures which

have been triel have been the prohibition of the "circulation"

or transport of dross( Indo-China); the purchase of droas

by the Government and the prohibition of the possession

of more than a limited quantity of dross (Netherlands

Indies, Malaya, Hongkong) and the prohibition of the

possession of dross by anyone other than a registerod

smoker (Burma).