1924-09-19 — Page 4

Shirts with Collars to match in nest stripes or plain cream.

Pyjamas in all mizer

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Dressing Gowns

in plain colours or Tartan designs.

THE HONGKONG DAILY PRESS, FRIDAY. SEPTEMBER J918, 1924

HONGKONG AND OPIUM.

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a.

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MEN'S WEAR SPECIALISTS.

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Wholesale only:

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and all high class Tobacconists.

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Your

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Cigarettes, Sir

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Distributors for Hongtong and South China.

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LOCAL COMMITTEE'S REPORT,

CONTROL IN HONGKONG EFFECTIVE AS POSSIBLE *' WHILE CHINA GROWS OPIUM IN LIMITLESS QUANTITY."

day..

The Report, which is dated March 1st. ing the air. 1694, states: ---

efective action.

L

It has been put before the Committed has devised a compromise. It sells a that smokers are already registered and good grade of opium at a very high prico licensed in the Netherlands East Indies. | and, it visits with severe penalties all The Netherlands Enat Indica are at a those who are found to be trafficking in considerably distance from China, erzch- or using other opium. There can be po ed only after a long sen voyage. The doubt that shortness of purse on the one

i1

counter-

Chinese are there an alient and not an hand and fear of the consequences on indigenous race, and they form a "very the other to keep consumption very far small fraction of the total populatlan. below the rate which would obtain if |Hongkong is geographically and racially Government opium were cheapened or

an integral part of China, and, with the prohibited or penalties were relaxed.

B-The various The report of the Committee appoint-There is no effective control over the exception of a mere handful, the whole

proposals for п ed by H.E. the Governor to consider the production and distribution of Chinese, of its population is Chinese. The task gradual diminution in the amount of

Persian, and Turkish opium. The Colony's position with regard to the enforcing of Article 1. of the Convention propaged to Hongkong may be compared onium legitimately available Kava heen discussed in the preceding paragraphs. obligations incurred under the Inter- must be antecedent to the enforcing off to the task of preventing the use in It remains to examine the question whe

Articles of the Convention, and, white national Opium Convention, 1912. was China continues to provide its popu. Manchester of an article which is in com.ther consumption of opium could be re- laid before the Legislative Council Bylation with opium in limitless quantity, men use throughout the rest of England. duced, if no further gitimate, supplies were available. It has been pointed out Command of H.E. the Governor vester Hongkong, in attempting to prevent con

The task before the Netherlands East in paragraph that the habitual anoker, sumption by those Chinese who happenIndies may be compared to the task of need not be considered, and, if such a to be within its borders, is merely beut-

for example, the Argenting Authorities step should result in decreased consump

tinh, the Government should go out of 6.-The Committee estimates that apin perventing the use by Englishmen business at one proximately equal quantities of Govern-within their territory of an article to The Committee has teen appointed to ment and illicit opium are consumed in

The Committee has expressed the consider the suggestions made by the the Calory. An increase in the Govern which these Englishmen are habitually opinion that a gradual reduction of Advisory Committee of the League of ment selling price would probably resulb accustomed in England,

legitimate supplies will be Nations with a view to determining what in a pro tinto substitution of illicit for

lanced by an increase in the use of further measures can be taken in Hong- Government opium. Any substantial de-

The argument formerly advanced in illicit opium. If the use of opium ware long to give a more effective application crense in the Government selling price support of registration and licensing was to be prohibited, it is probable that the to Chapter 11. of the pium Contention, would almost certainly result in a sub-based upon the girability of gradually comparison which suggests itself is | situation would gat entirely out of hand." and to examine the existing position, stautial increase in consumption gene- and to explore the possibilities of further rally, as Government opium is of much weaning from the habit smokers who the placing of a small foreign Govern- superior quality, and, if it were avail have long been accustomed to the drug.ent in Marseilles, and the prohibition By Article in Chapter 11 of the able at the price of illicit opium, the There would be a necessity to license it of the "drinking of wine by the French within the town: except that Convention it is proved that the con-demand would be very greatly incresand.

in Hongkong on this score, as, if Govern opium is much more easily smuggled than tacting Powers shall take measures for 6.-The Committee has carefully een

Neither the Hongkong Govern- the gradual and effective suppression of sidered the question of increasing, the ment opium was not available, smokers wing

ment for the Council of the League of the manufacture of, internal trade in, number of Revenus Offers and of pro- would use illicit opium.

Nations can prevent indulgence in and use of prepures opium, with das riding more drastic penalties for traffick-

practice habitual in nation of four gard to the varying circumstances of ing in and using illicit opium, and it ench country concerned'

is satisfied that the measures already

tundred million people unless that taken by the Government go as far as

ion desires to give up that indulgence, HOW is reasonably possible in this direction.

anfortunately there is no present taken to give effect to Article 6 comprise The Chinese Community has objected in regard to its import, export, sale, indication that the opium habit will be a Government monopoly, sale of Govern-time and again to the methods of search

Randoned by the Chinese people, in the neut opium at an artificially high price.

gear future,. It may be mentioned in heavy penalties in respect of trafficking

now employed, methods far more drastic

this connection that the Committed has in or use of opium other this Cowrn than any used in the United Kingdom.

It would hardly serve any useful par read with considerable Public opinion, is at least not emphatic

surprise the ment opium, and the maint, nance of a considerable force of Revenue Officers for against the smuggler, and the Chinese ose to discuss this question while pre-statements by Mr. Chao Hain Cha, re- searcher declines to make himself una Hongkong is concerned, it would beges 1 and 3 of the Minutes, of the sent conditions obtain in China. As for garding Shanghai, which appear at the purpose of preventing such trafick.

There is no check upang the popular, except for an adequate con- anwise to reduce the present retail price Fifth Session of the Advisory Committee. 4g or use.

sideration. It is known that the eersumption of opius apart from the high price charged for Government

is to the effect that enormous quantities rium and the penalties imposid in res

ritories could be persuaded to adopt a sumption there is very large. The super It is most probable that certain ter- of opium go to Shanghai, and the con- pret"of illicit opium, and it is obvious hat the continuance of the present pole

standard of severity equal to that estab- vision in Shanghai is notoriously far cannot lend to the suppression of the

Fished in Hongkong. In a recent case † les stdict than it in Hongkong- e of opium in the Colony. The most

in Shanghai the Press commented on a In Canton the Government has for il at that policy can effect under existing

sentence of four months' imprisonment same tima pasi been selling opium fer arditions is to keep the sprum habit

and & àne.of 9300 in respect of a seizure | revenue purposes, and a monopoly han within bounds.

of the severest sentences on record in of 643 pounds of opium, as, being one now been formally established. Shanghai la a similar case in Hong. THE PRACTRE OF SWALLOWING kong the Magistrate would probably, im

OPIUM pose a sentence of twelve months' hard labour without the option of a fine and on coming out of gnol. The severest sen- $50,000, and a fine of $10,000 is not up

In Hongkong the measures

23

10-The Advisory Committee pro poses, in its fifth resolution, that the retail price of prepared "opium and the penalties for the infraction of the law and use, should las made uniform in the various territories concerned.

Д

smuggler not infrequently outbids the penalties for infringement of the law.

of opium or to relax the existing The information before the Committee

Government for the Revenue Officers' services. As regards penalties, these are already of exceptional severity, includ ing heavy fines, long terms of imprison meat, and frequent banishment.

Lo.N. ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S RESOLUTIONS.

-The first two "resolutions of the The problem to be solved is whether, Advisory Committee are to the effees that nder existing conditions, it is possible the opium business should be a Govern to suppress, either immediately or gradment Monopoly and that, retail sales ually the consumption of opium in long should be made only from Government kung:

shops, by persons on a fixed salary, with matter, has ignored the financial aspect business done. of the opium question, and it is agreed that," as far as it is concerned, the fact that the Colony derives a considerableness in Hongkong, is making arrange- revenue from the sale of opium is en-menta the lines suggested in connec- tirely irrelevant.

The Committee, in considering this out any commission ou the amount of the offender would probably be banished the practice of swallowing opium is

20 TO 25% OF ADULT CHINESE

14.-The Committee understands that spreading amongst the Chinese, z prac-

It is understood that the Government. tence on record in Hongkong is a fine ties which, according to medical evi-

tion with retail sales.

8. The third resolution of the Advi sory Committee recommends that a uniform maximum limit should be fixed for the atmount of prepared opium placed on sale for consumption, calculated ac- cording to the number of the adult Chinese male population."

usual.

OFFICIAL FIGURES OF OPIUM

CONSUMPTION,

OPIUM SMUGGLING.

It is

smoking opium. The Lengue of Nations Advisory Committee does not apparently take exception to the swallowing of', opiuin and the hemp drugs, ganja, claras, nd bhang, by Indians in India,

SMOKE OPIUM.

11-It has been suggested that the and accordingly, if smoking, is prohibit official figures of opium consumption ined in Hongkong, the Government must 3-The Committee is of the opinion

the Colony hear no relation to the actual prepared to face a demand that that some 20 to 25 per cent of the

rate of consumption, and that, in view swallowing should be permitted Record- Adult Chinese

of recent revelations as to smuggling, ing" to the practice in India. population, including some one to two per cent. of the adult A measure such as this would result there is no really effective control of the difficult to see how a discrimination in

favour of India could be justified. female population, either smoke or swallow in the buying up and hoarding of stocks consumption of opinm in the Colony. opium. It is stated by the persons em- by speculators, who would resell at an The official figures show that during ployed in 'selling Government opium that enhanced price. Persons unwilling to the years 1910-1922, the consumption per the percentage has slightly increased pay the price would substitute illicit for head of the population averaged tarl during the past six of seven years Government opium. It would be prefer-153 Figures fo this connection are of

15.It has been suggested that, if con Chinese of the better class are inclined able to limit sales by raising the price doubtful value, but, as this particular medium sankers are registered and able, much as they would regard betting on the market, but neither expedient to examine the point in detail. to regard the opium habit as discredit rather than by restricting the quantity figure has been queried, it will be as well the tee of opium is otherwise prohibited, the British Government will have done as discreditable, but they are certainly would diminish consumption, as illicit

everything possible to discharge its obliga- not prepared to practice what they might opium would take the place of Govern- The consumption of tac! 53 refers to tions under the Opium Convention. Tho possibly preach. Public opinion might ment opium.

Government opium. In paragraph 5 of Committee kannot agree with this sugges- not countenance to open a parade of The Committee understands that in this report it is suggested that the con- tion. No Government" placed as the either gambling or opium smoking, but 1920 the Government of the Straits sumption of illicit opium equals the con- Hongkong Government is can put a stop at least it has no great fault to find Settlements attempted to reduce consumption of Governinent, opium, and on to a national habit of an alien race so with the not too ostentatious practice sumption by limitation of supplies and this basis the total consumption is taels long as it has not the full support of of the latter habit. Opium smoking in that after a few months it found it neces 1.06 per head. These figures are based public opinion, and the confining of opium China has perhaps the same popular sury to abandon this policy. The Gov- upon an estimated average population of to a few singkers, or total prohibition support as betting has in England, andernment of the Punjab's experience in

650,000. It is notorious that the Hong- which would he preferable, would result the one practice is probably as difficult this connection is not out in paragraph kong census figures are much below the in a flood of smuggling which it would to eradicate as the other.

31 of the Report on the Excise Adminis actual figures of population, for reasons impossible to stem. This statement will no doubt be traver. tration of the Punjab during the year which it is unnecessary to examine here.

The difficulties of detection of smug- ad by the argument that the cultivation 1921-22. It is there stated that measures The Committee has information regardgling are in "present circumstances in- of the poppy in China was "practically as. the restriction of supply of ing the actual population to the fellow superable.. Hongkong, with a total area put an end to about the year 1917. and excise opium" lead to smuggling and ing effect:-

of 376-square miles, bas a coast and fron- that "the final suppression of opium simply aggravate the situation. The bulk of the Colony's nightsoil is tier line of 400 miles over any part of smoking was then all but attained. In Financial Commissioner has accordingly carried away a contractor for pur- which Chinese may come and go at will the opinion of the Committee this argu. decided recently to change the policy in poses of manure for mulberry growing. Opium in bulk comes by ocean going ment is not supported by facts. The this respect with the object of ensuring The successful bidder for the present steamer, of which the crew frequently, Chinese Government had consistently re-

that there shall in each district be contract, dating from 1921, worked upon and sometimes the officers, are in lengue sented and opposed the export of Chinese sufficient supply of opium so that the the census figure of 680,000 persons, and with the smuggler, and it comes also by silver to pay for Indian opium, and, needs of the people may be satisfied with allowed for Lucia 3 in weight of night launch and by junk. The opium is fre- when the British Government agreed to out their having recourse to smuggling," soil per head per day, or a total of some quently put overboard outside the bar- put an end to the import of Indifă 3-The Advisory Committee, in its 1,275 picula. He reduced this figure to hour limits, having attached to it opium upon conditions, the conditions fourth resolution, recommends "that 1,100 picats because of wastage through which remains subuerged for a given were at once accepted. Those conditions the possibilities of the system of regis- water closets and boat population, and period and then rises to the surface. The included the suppression of poppy cultitration and licensing, which has already be tendered, accordingly. The amount of longkong Government is about to incur vation in China, and under constant been introduced in some of the Far Eas-nightsoil now being collected approxi-heavy expense in providing a new sea- Consular supervision and protest much tern territories,, should be thoroughly ex mates to 2,500 piculs or acarly four going revenue vessel to operate outsido was done in this direction, although it plored."

million taels, which, at trels 3 per head, harbour limits. Many Revenue and is probable that the reports of foreign

REGISTRATION DIFFICULTIES. gives population of over 1,200,000, Police launches operated by the Chinese observers expressed an optimism an

without allowing for wastage, The Government carry on an active trade in warranted by the facts. Very large stocks In a Chinese community of the size figure arrived at through this somewhat contraband and," baving a Government of opium. both raw and prepared, were of that in Hongkong it would not be unusual method of census taking is prob- status, they are more or less immune from carried, and not long after the fun ex- possible to keep a check upon licences, if ably very much dearer the mark than search. One such launch was recently clusion of Indian opium the internal they wero issued in any considerable the official figure and upon this basis festrictions become a dead letter through number. Licences would be bought and the total consumption of opium comes out the greater part of the country sold, impersonation would be rife and out again at about balf Since the earliest days of the opium licensees would corner stocks and pro question in China the principal concern

It has fiteer.

been suggested that

such

The

of the Provincial Governments has been licencds should be confined to persons

to eradicate, not the opium habit, but permanently resident in the Colony. the Indian opium habit, and the failure to attain this end, until India coope rated, may be attributed to the fact that public taste vastly prefers the Indian to the home-grown drug.

die

"MERELY BEATING THE AIR."

fost

sunk on Hongkong waters, and on examination of the wreek opium and arms were found in it. Opium is carried in receptacles bolted outside the bottom of a junk, in a hollowed out spar, in a com- partment inside a tip of petrol or a jar of wine, in the leg of a bedstead, in bag of flour, in a woman's bair, in fact in every possible place in which the in-

tael a head.

CONTROL IN HONGKONG EFFEC-

TIVE AS POSSIBLE... Home ten to twelve thousand. Chincas paas daily between Hongkong and 12-It has to be admitted that the only Chins: a large part of the population, persons who need purchase Government genuity of the Chinese can devise means having permanent homes in China, is opium are those who want a high grade to hide an article the bulk of which is in the Colony for a longer or shorter product and those who prefer to pay a as small as its value is large. The Chi- period according to the prospects of re-high prica rather than risk the penalty nese, who will slice the top from a silver manerative work; and there are periodi for the use of smuggled opiam: and this dollar, will hollow out the interior, refill cal in-rushes of refugees who escape from argument holds good in respect of the with base metal and replace the top, In the present state of Chinese disorder in China and dribble, back at consumption of any duty paid article would not stumble into such traps as the public opinion the only way to diminish varying intervals as quiet is restored in lieu of its smuggled counterpart. European might be able to set for him or to put a stop to the use of opium is to their individual village or district. But it does not follow that there is no except by the merest chance. The Gou to diminish or to put a stop to the pro This large unstable population would effective control over the consumption of ernment's only efficacious weapon is duction of opium. The first Article in bring in the opium to which it is accus- such article. It is the opinion of the money, and it is usually worth the smug- Chapter 1 of the Opium Convention re tamed in. China, and its more wealthy Committee that the control exercised in gler's while to out-bid the Government quires the contracting Powers to enact members would purchase the much Hongkong is as effective as is possible An unscrupulous Revenge Officer and an effective laws or regulations for the con superior Hongkong, band from the in the extraordinarily difficult circum informer, working on strict business lines, trol of the production and distribution licensed permanent residents which stances. As long as unlimited supplies concern themselves merely with the of raw opium, and, except in so far as permanent residents would probably be of opium are available, opium cannot be amount of the inducement, and are in- India is concerned, this obligation is for men of the coolic class put forward as kept out of the Colony. The Govern-different as to its sourec. practical purposes entirely disregarded, figure heads by profiteering syndicatesment of Hongkong, realising thin fact, (Continued on Page 8).