Sessional_Paper_1909 — Page 128

(c.) Eating opium.

(4.) Morphia.

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seems then to be a distinct probability that alcohol may replace opium. In Hongkong the danger of alcohol as a substitute for opium is a real one since cheap liquor-shops abound. Opium is a sedative which tends to inaction, and there is a concensus of opinion, that it is responsible for no crime, while alcohol is a stimulant which disposes towards aggressive action and admittedly produces crime. The effects of opium are rarely visible and are never seen in public places. Drunkenness on the contrary is a cause of inconvenience in the public streets, and is a degrading spectacle.

A second alternative to the use of alcohol to replace the smoking of opium is found in the eating of the drug-a method hitherto practically unknown in China. The many kinds of "anti-opium" pills which have been distributed gratis or sold in vast quantities throughout China are all said to contain opium, and thus the habit of eating instead of smoking has been encouraged. This as Sir John Jordan points out is a far more dangerous practice and infinitely harder to eradicate. Dr. Main, C.M.S., is quoted in the public Press as stating that whereas his. Mission formerly always had a large number of persons under treatment for the cure of the habit they have ceased to come now that these pills can be procured.I

Another still more deplorable substitute is morphia whether consumed internally or injected hypodermically. Dr. Morrison, correspondent of The Times, bears witness to the immense increase in the consumption of morphia,-and lays special stress on the fact that its importation cannot be checked by an increase in duties. In 1904 the duties were raised from 5% to 200% and the recorded import fell from 195,133 oz. in 1902 to 96 ozs. in 1907, but there is no reason, he says, to doubt that at the present time the import is nearer to ten tons (smuggled). He adds that "orders have been given for 1,000 lbs. weight in one transaction the morphia being packed in 7, 14, 21, and 28 lb. tins. four in a case. This snuggling is wholesale, while Chinese returning from Borneo, Java, Malay and Siam in a large number of cases bring back morphia as savings to China". morphia is believe ordered wholesale (chiefly from London) and transhipped at sea for smuggling.§

The

The Powers have recently agreed that from 1.1.09, the importation of morphia into China shall be prohibited, while both they and China undertake not to manufacture it in China. The Chinese Government thereupon issued elaborate instructions to regulate the import for medicinal purposes. These Regulations will no doubt be operative as regards the 96 oz. legitimately imported, but since China has already shewn herself so entirely powerless to check smuggling over her 7,000 miles of land and 4,000 miles of sea frontier, it is to be feared that little benefit will accrue from this convention. The Government of Hong- kong has however, at once come forward to assist so far as it can. Regula- tions to control more effectively the transit trade have been issued, making it obligatory to obtain a license and to declare port of destination, and establishing one Government warehouse only.

* The increase in the Imports of wine, beer, and spirits into Canton is shewn by the following figures from the

Customs returus :-

Taels.

1897, 24,527

1902. 48,857

1907. 209,7+4.

The Straits Commission state that there is already an increase in consumption of alcohol among Straits born Chinese, and the prohibition of opium would increase it among Chinese generally. § 149. It is stated that the import of opium in the Federated Malay States has decreased by $93,000 while the

import of alcoholic liquors increased by $355,000.

The Bishop of London stated in the House of Lords that 90 to 93% of the prisoners in one British Gaol were brought there by drink. The Lunacy Commissioner ascribed 22 % of lunatics to the same cause,-apart from hereditary dipsomaniacs. It should be remembered morcover that it is foreign merchants who import the liquor into Chiua,-while they import only of the opium. Hansard 1908 Vol. 197 p. 326. Mr. Justice Walton, presiding at a Meeting on January 25th at Lincoln's Inn, said that as the result of a long experience he was led to the conclusion that more than 99% of the trials for crimes of violence had their origin in intemperance". (Times 26.1.09.)

The Straits Commission state it as their view that smoking is by far the least deleterious method of using Opium-only a small part of the alkaloids being absorbed. § 326. Smoking of "Dross" is worse than pure Opium, and the custom of eating " Dross" is worst of all. § 251.

The official returns shew an average import for five years prior to 1904 of 141,864 oz. and for the years 1904-1907 of 174 02. only. "Of the import in 1902 (195,133 oz.) the United Kingdom and Hongkong between them imported 95.8% (United Kingdom 149,726 oz., Hongkong 37,205 oz.) In 1903 they imported 85.7% Though the Customs only shew 54 oz. as imported in 1905 the " distribution through each Customs District" shews 14,007 oz, for that year-a proof of smuggling. Prior to 1901 almost the whole was imported into Shanghai,-since that year the total for 3 years is 34 oz. ! (through the Customs).