*14.
15.
16.
(ect has not been attained, and there is no reasonable
spect of its being attained in the near future owing
61
E ADD
to the abundent supplies of Opium coming from China. In 1914 the passing of the Monopoly under, (overnment control
did úndoubtedly stop the smuggling of fium into China, where
at that time native grown Opium was extremely rare outside a few distant places where the popry was still grown, but China has rewarded long-Kong by flooding the Colony
with her home-grown Upium. The time has come for
Hong Kong Opium policy to be considered on its own merits
quite apart from the fluctuating position in China.
If there is a consensus of opinion that Opium smoking
is a vica the Government should cease to pander to that
vice, but it should be distinctly understood that in the
Colony itself there is no general opinion against Opium
outside a small uninfluential cirdę under the direct
influence of missionaries. Were it possible to take ar
unbiased referendum on the subject the votes in favour of
abolition would be extremely few.
As a matter of policy should smoking te prohibited
no very stringent steps should at first be taken against
smoking in the privacy of the home. There would
undoubtedly be very strong feeling exhibited by Labour
if the workman was prevented from enjoying a quiet pipe after the day's toil.
The policy of fixing on early cate for the termination of the Fonopoly has found supporters among other Hong Kong officials not-bly Mr.A.G.. Fletcher, for
various ressorg, end not least because an and would
be made of the hitherto interminable and unconvincing argument
on Opium questions, which he so often diverted
from other more important work.
ottention
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.