CO129-545-1 Estimates 1934 4-10-1933 - 17-4-1934 — Page 175

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declaration that considerations of revenue shall not

stand in the way of its co-operation in the obligations of His Majesty's Government accepted at the Hague and later confirmed at Geneva and Bangkok to suppress the smoking of opium in its territory. Unfortunately there

is abundant evidence that the distaste of the Hong Kong addict for the Singapore brand has merely swelled the ranks of the smokers and the profits of the purveyors of illicit opium. Shortly after the new arrangement came into force the Superintendent of Imports and Ex- ports instituted an intensive campaign against opium divans which are not only illegal in themselves but in- variably supply their customers with illicit opium. The

results more than fulfilled our worst fears.

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During the first three months of the campaign

no less than 632 divans were discovered and raided while 661 persons were convicted for keeping or assisting in keeping divans. 4,044 persons were found smoking in divans but were not placed before the Courts as the number of prisoners on the more serious charge was already as much

and more than our Gaol could contain In every case illicit opium was being smoked.

The only head of revenue which we can view with any satisfaction is that of the Kowloon Canton Rail-

way which for the first half of the current year has amounted to nearly eight lakh as against the estimate of nearly thirteen lakhs for the whole year.

That therefore is the revenue position for

1933. For 1934 we should not be justified in assuming that the forces which have been depressing our revenue