CO129-496 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 504

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must be paid into this land, opium sales and smoking dens Office, and purchase stamps for exportation. Punishment for all in- fringements, etc.

Estimated opium fields in this district:

Chin Kuei Li

6,591 mou

Hsiang Tien Li

6,392 mou

Lien Kiang Li

1,905 mou

Shan Hua Li

1,588 mou

Hsiao Li

1,588 пин

Yung Hsing Li

1.350 muu

An Hsien Li

1,191 mou

Jen Teh Li

Hsiao Jen Li

1,191 mon

Shan Li

635 mou

Hsing Tai Li

23.762 πιου

זאות 1,187

143 mou

(6 Chinese mou-one English acre.)

Nurth West Fukien.

"Bandits and soldiers prevent us moving about as we would wish, but I think it is true to say that in Kuang Tseh, Tai Ning, Kien Ning, Shuin Chang, Eo Ning and Shao Wu districts no poppy is heing cultivated.

"Opium use is on the increase, a considerable quantity is smuggled in all through these districts, mostly from the Kiangsi province and by the Min River traffic.

Hing Hwa Poppy is now being grown everywhere both in Hinghwa and Sienyo counties. In two districts of the latter county the common saying is "the people must now eat opium instead of grain" as from 70 - 90% of the fields are planted with the poppy. I have seen square with their miles of white flowers and the atmosphere is heavy

Smoking is on the scent. In these regions poppy supplants wheat. increase.

Foochie, Nantui. An "Opium Industry Company" was formed in the provincial Capital in Feb. 1926 with branches throughout the province. Its object is to buy up opium and sell to all and any. The syndicate commenced with the modest capital of $200,000 in $500 shares. Any shareholder with more than five shares may be elected as a director. Directors to be paid as well as receiving dividends. This syndicate is a great blow to small opium dealers for the former is cornering the ounce to the selling supply and at the same time adding $2 an

price. It is estimated that about $100,000 is thus raised monthly. All must buy and sell through the syndicate; smugglers when caught will be tried and punished as criminals.

Chang Pu. Judging from my own observation 1 should say that there is more opium planted this year, than either last year or the year before.

'The official sum to be collected this year in this wien is $620,000, the same as last year, but including the squeeze of the tax gatherers. It is estimated that about $1,000,000 will be taken from the people. The number of Coercive measures are used to collect the taxes. people who have abandoned their homes and fled from the district

at the approach of the tax collectors, indicates their inability to pay. Amount of tax varies with different villages and individuals, it may be $3 or $4 a family or as much as $80 per working man. The influential and wealthy pay less, the poor and defenceless pay

more.

Fu Wung. Between 50% and 80% of the cultivated ground is bearing poppy. The drought has spoiled the crop, so this year though more has been planted, less opium will be obtained.

HONAN

1925 shows only slight variations from preceding year. Owing to war and banditry probably less opittm has been grown, though the increase in its use indicates increased traffic from neighbouring provinces. The morphia pill habit shows no sign of decrease. The year has not produced any restrictive legislation, land taxes have increased and the farmers would eagerly plant more

poppy, were it not for bandits who persistently raid all opium areas.

Honan has been subject to wars of various kinds all through the year. Officials constantly changing, hence the desire to make all they can while in office. Under the stringency of funds to meet military expenses the Opium Suppression Bureau came into existence again this year under Chief Director Yang. Branches were established throughout the province. In the streets of Kaifeng, the Capital, were posted numerous placards announcing, "South of the Ta Yu Tai is the opium shop with pure Shensi opium; any one who comes will get it".

Every hotel, inn and brothel is sanctioned to provide opium on payment of a licence, the cost of which varies according to 1st, 2nd or 3rd class.

Recently the Bureau issued instructions that all opium fines and taxes should be transferred to the capital once a month.

Any dealer may obtain the monopoly rights for his locality on payment of from $1,000 to $5,000 for a period of three months.

Narcotic drugs are rampant in the 7 districts like Changteh north of the Yellow River,

South Honan.

Nanyang. Opium is enormous in Nanyang, it is imported from Szechuan. Formerly Szechuan opium was smuggled into Honan, now it is imported in bulk usually in quantities of 200-300 fan, each weighing 1,000 ounces.

Imported opium is taxed 20 cents an ounce.

The Defence Commisioner has monopolised opium in eight counties and receives a revenue of $500,000.

Kishan, No poppy grown in this hien. The question of opium cultivation was put to the officials of South Honan last winter, some acquiesced and provided seed. Ours refused,

Tangho, « Wu Yang. Fang Chang, Uyang Haien, Sheki Chen. As far as we can ascertain, no poppy is grown in these listens. Opium smoked freely and lamps going all day in practically every barracks.

Opium taxation offices in all cities; the men in charge are appointed by the military. The local Governor (now out of office) tried to impose a tax of $8 per mou on opium land. Proclamations were issued prohibit- ing the sowing of poppy, but seed came along in abundance, and everyone was told that they must sow 4% of their land,

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