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at Wubu in the Yang Sze Miao. Taxes are of two kinds, sales certifi- cate tax, and lamp tax. For the trading certificate $2,000 is paid, and thereafter $200 monthly. Opium imported is taxed 15 cents an ounce. Lamp tax $3 monthly. $700,000 will be raised by these taxes.
Lo Chow correspondent states, probably 3 or 4 tinies more opium planted than last year. Owing to this being a good season the opium harvest will be ten times larger than last year. Opium is used every where by all classes, and smoking is increasing faster than the growing of poppy. Military authorities recently approached the magistrate who offered to raise $150,000 by opium taxes, this was refused as the amount demanded was several times greater. The magistrate expects to be removed.
Non Hou Choir. "I have travelled west for 15 miles, and east for 20 miles from this city. A group of us estimated that one per cent of the Fields are seen on the highways and at land was planted with poppy. village gates."
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Opium smoking prevalent amongst all classes, school teachers, merchants and beggars.
CHEKIANG
This province was not reported on in 1924, for it has for years been considered free from opium cultivation. Opium smoking has been yearly increasing and in 1924 a military combine succeeded in landing at a small harbour north of Ningpo a consignment of Yunnan opium variously estimated at from $10 to $20,000.000. The landing was a fact, the place certain, and the quantity very large.
From correspondents we summarise as follows:
North Chekiang. For years no poppy has beer. cultivated, but this year is the exception. In the high valleys in some parts of Taichow off the beaten track opium is planted. Smoking is on the increase. A resident for 40 years in Hangchow states that our Union Committee have made reliable investigation and report at least 200 places selling opium today in this city.
A Chinese authority states, "Poppy is being cultivated in Chekiang; the officals wink at it and slate it is not so",
Passengers on steamers from Ningyo to Shanghai smoke opium in the public saloon.
At a recent wealthy funeral
ceremony in a Buddhist monastry given that $2,000 worth of opium Smuggling of opium into the port
in Shaoling, reliable evidence is was used to entertain the guests. of Ningpo is increasing enormously,
Another correspondent writes: "Recently we tried to form an anti-narcotic branch, but got very little help from the leading people. Most of them are opium smokers. Smoking is increasing amongst the rich, but not much used by the poor.
North West Chekiany. No poppy cultivated. Opium smoking more The police have a system of winking prevalent than a few years ago.
at it, if a suitable contribution is made, otherwise the smoker is arrested and punished.
and secret
West Chekiang. The opium habit is being revived, traffic in opium is extensively carried on. Opium is sold in every village.
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Enst Cheliang. No poppy cultivated, but smoking and eating opium is greatly on the increase. Both civil and military officials indulge in the drug, consequently no pressure is brought to bear on the people.
Opium is brought to this section by steamers plying between the coast port of Hai-Men and Shanghai and Ningpo.
CHIHLI
Owing to a year of disorganisation and war, any suggestion of opium restriction has been lacking. This metropolitan province has paid no attention to the undercurrents of traffic except such as are exposed by customs and police seizures. Provided that a reasonable secrecy was maintained every one has been free to use opium, and indulge in small sales. Bigger transactions required official collusion and the usual financial advances. In 1924 a Sperial Provincial Court dealt with the makers and sellers of morphia pills in 57 districts in this province and imposed fines amounting to $692,139. Fines are no deterrent. The quantity of morphia smuggled in shows no decrease in 1925. and the pill habit is increasing. The opium condition of the large cities of this province demonstrate the fact that in time of disorganisation, opium traffic is not worthy of consideration. Opium smoking amongst officials is not increasing, it never stopped. The habit is being acquired by a large number of the business and middle classes in the cities. The student and young China class is entirely free. Women smokers are increasing. There is no opium cultivated in this province.
In the country districts as a contrast to the cities, opium is not so much used as morphia pills owing to difficulties of transit except in the southern part of the province; here large quantities arrive from neighbouring provinces. Southern reports state: "The usual amount of opium continues to arrive, brought in by local merchants. In addition this year a large amount was brought in by the 3rd Kuo Min Chun which they both used and sold freely; the consequence has been a fall in price from $3 to $2 an ounce, and a corresponding increase in the number of people using it. Morphia, etc., continues to arrive as usual from Tientsin”.
West Central Chibli. We travel over nearly 7,000 square miles lying between Shansi and the Kinhan Railway, from Lincheng in the south to Pingshan, Lingshes and Hsingtanfu in the north. No poppy grown. Opium still prevalent, but mostly morphia pills used, but not so extensively as in former days.
The northern part of this province is reviewed in the reports on the administrative districts of Jehol and Suiyuan.
The remainder of the province centres round Peking and Tientsin. Peking. Secret use of opium is spreading amongst all classes, except the poorest.
During 1925 some efforts were made by General Lu to prevent opium entering the city. Yet only one notable seizure was made. This was at the west station. The Gencral surrounded the train on arrival with his big sword troops, and 800 packages of opium weighing 46,000 ounces were seized. The seizure revealed a big official combine in Peking with numerous railway associates. A further 200 packages must have got through. The opium came from Kansu and Shensi.
Peking bad two burnings of opium and drugs seized by the Police, Customs at railway stations and Post Office during 1925.
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