CO129-510-8 Policy on sale of Opium 12-1-1928 - 24-7-1928 — Page 37

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Government of India, "in order to fulfil, in

the fullest possible measure, both in letter and in

spirit, the international engagements into which

they have entered in regard to the suppression of

the illicit traffic in opium and to render such

assistance as lies in their power in the solution

of the problems connected with the use of prepared

opium in the further Bast* had announced their

decision to reduce progressively exports of opium

from India, except for strictly medical and

scientific purposes, so as to extinguish them

altogether in ten years;

that after the year 1935

no further exports would be made except for strictly

medical and scientific purposes; and that the

Hong Kong allotment would be as follows:

·

Year. 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935

Chests. 220 196 171 147 122 98 73 49

If India were the sole course of the world's opium

supply, it is plain that the policy thus adopted by

the Government of India would not merely have

solved the Indian opium problem but also that of

Hong Kong As, however, India is not the sole

source I am tempted to ask whether her action in

reducing and eventually discontinuing supplies,

without assuring herself that other sources would be

available to Eritish Colonial Governments, who are

required to continue the fight for suppression, and

would be denied to private interests, which are

concerned to stand in the way, was really beat

calculated

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