CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 593

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All AI Reviewed

582

The proposed International Conference, for bringing about the "gradual and effective suppression" of opium smoking, to which the Parties to the Opium Convention are pledged, was considered. This was done in order that all the states concerned might have ample opportunity for examining the suggestions, but neither the British Government nor any other Government was committed by the Resolution to their acceptance. Some of the suggested measures are already operative in whole or in part in the British Possessions, but the most important from the point of view of bringing about a gradual reduction in consumption, viz., the proposals for rationing and registration, are not.

When the decision to convoke the Conference had been taken by the League, it was decided that the Governments of the Colonies mainly concerned, viz., Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and North Borneo should be asked to appoint Committees, on which the Chinese community should be represented, to consider and report on the suggestions and subject generally. The reports have now been received, and it becomes necessary for the Government to decide what policy is to be adopted by the British delegates at the Conference next November.

The present position is far from satisfactory. To put it shortly, we are not carrying out our obligations under Chapter II of the Convention. Other countries are, it is true, in the same, or even a worse, position. In all the British Possessions in which opium smoking still continues, elaborate systems of control are in operation. These have had excellent results up to a point, and brought about a considerable reduction in the local consumption.

It is admitted, however, that the systems have not produced their full results in this direction and that no further reduction in consumption is to be expected. The Government cannot therefore rely on the normal working of these systems of control to bring about the ultimate suppression to which they are pledged by the Opium Convention.

The position is complicated further in two ways: with the abolition of the export of opium to China, and with the increasing stringency of the control.

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2 -582The proposed International Conference, for bringing about the "gradual and effective suppression" of opium smoking, to which the Parties to the Opium Convention are pledged, was considered. This was done in order that all the states concerned might have ample opportunity for examining the suggestions, but neither the British Government nor any other Government was committed by the Resolution to their acceptance. Some of the suggested measures are already operative in whole or in part in the British Possessions, but the most important from the point of view of bringing about a gradual reduction in consumption, viz., the proposals for rationing and registration, are not.When the decision to convoke the Conference had been taken by the League, it was decided that the Governments of the Colonies mainly concerned, viz., Hong Kong, the Straits Settlements, and North Borneo should be asked to appoint Committees, on which the Chinese community should be represented, to consider and report on the suggestions and subject generally. The reports have now been received, and it becomes necessary for the Government to decide what policy is to be adopted by the British delegates at the Conference next November.The present position is far from satisfactory. To put it shortly, we are not carrying out our obligations under Chapter II of the Convention. Other countries are, it is true, in the same, or even a worse, position. In all the British Possessions in which opium smoking still continues, elaborate systems of control are in operation. These have had excellent results up to a point, and brought about a considerable reduction in the local consumption.It is admitted, however, that the systems have not produced their full results in this direction and that no further reduction in consumption is to be expected. The Government cannot therefore rely on the normal working of these systems of control to bring about the ultimate suppression to which they are pledged by the Opium Convention.The position is complicated further in two ways: with the abolition of the export of opium to China, and with the increasing stringency of the control.

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!!-2 -582( proposed International Conference, for bringing about the "gradual and effective suppression" of opium smoking, to which the Parties to the Opium Convention are pledged. This was done in order that all the states concerned might have ample opportunity for examining the suggestions, but neither the British Govarzment nor any other Goverment was committed by the Rem lu- tion to their acceptance. Some of the seated measures are already operative in whole or in part in the British Fossessions, but he most important from the point of view of bringing about a gradual reduction in consumption, vi, the proposals for rationing and registration, are not.When the decision to convoke the Conference And been taken by the League,, it was decided thatkot Kalisiyaliz the over ub. of ¿o Colonies/mainly concerned, vizlion: 3 and North Borneo should be asked to appoint Committees, on which the Chinese community should be represented, to consider and report on the suggestion and subject genera ly. The reports have now been received, and it becomes necessary for the Government to decide what policy is to be adopted by the British delegates at the Conference next November.The present To put it3. The question is not an easy onė,osition is far from satisfectory. shortly, we are not carrying, out our obligationsOther countries under Chapter II of the Convention. it is true,are in the same, or even a worse, position. In all the British Po sessions in which opim smoking still continues, elaborata systems ofThose have had extellent control are in operation. results up to a point, and brought about a considerable reduction in the local consumption.!It is admitted however that the systems have produced their full results in this direction and that no further reduction in consumption is to be expected. The Osəriment dannot therefore rely on the normal working of these systems of control to bring about the ultimate suppression to which they are pledged by the Opium Convention.The position is complicated further in two ways with the abolition of the export of opium to Chin.. and with the impressin stringency of the control

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582

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proposed International Conference, for bringing about the "gradual and effective suppression" of opium smoking, to which the Parties to the Opium Convention are pledged. This was done in order that all the states concerned might have ample opportunity for examining the suggestions, but neither the British Govarzment nor any other Goverment was committed by the Rem lu- tion to their acceptance. Some of the seated measures are already operative in whole or in part in the British Fossessions, but he most important from the point of view of bringing about a gradual reduction in consumption, vi, the proposals for rationing and registration, are not.

When the decision to convoke the Conference And been taken by the League,, it was decided that

kot Kalisiyaliz the over ub. of ¿o Colonies/mainly concerned, viz

lion: 3

and North Borneo should be asked

to appoint Committees, on which the Chinese community should be represented, to consider and report on the suggestion and subject genera ly. The reports have now been received, and it becomes necessary for the Government to decide what policy is to be adopted by the British delegates at the Conference next

November.

The present

To put it

3. The question is not an easy onė,

osition is far from satisfectory. shortly, we are not carrying, out our obligations

Other countries under Chapter II of the Convention.

it is true, are in the same, or even a worse, position. In all the British Po sessions in which opim smoking still continues, elaborata systems of

Those have had extellent control are in operation.

results up to a point, and brought about a considerable reduction in the local consumption.

is admitted however that the systems have produced their full results in this direction and that no further reduction in consumption is to be expected. The Osəriment dannot therefore rely on the normal working of these systems of control to bring about the ultimate suppression to which they are pledged by the Opium Convention.

The position is complicated further in two ways with the abolition of the export of opium to Chin.. and with the impressin stringency of the control

CO129-487 - Others & Individuals - 1924 — Page 593

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