1929-11-29 — Page 10

10.

THE HONGKONG TELEGRAPH. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29,

The Light of The Age The most wonderful advertising illuminant in the world.

Ideal for display cases, shop windows, name and letter signs.

NEON

"The Cold Light" Come in To-day for demonstrations which will show you how to MODERNISE

your.

BUSINESS

China Neonlite Co., Ltd.

2nd Floor

Exchange Building. '

Severe Eczema

on Face, Arms and Legs

tar portrait Tanf Miss Jureure Page... neil, 107, Surs Road, Ba London, England, who per writes: "Wa-eleven years obt... nly daughter Florencahuliais (Severs Eczema) on her faro, Armin' and legs: The doctor a her medicine and bathed the more pinces with a solution of Sulphur anised komised

face with my get realte Maricards this

nitembut. Harpital fie three,

years with hack Clay Sism treatyone for six monte, lat st: darslid and event to generer. Chen 1 was recuatened Clarke's Bond Stix.

and after having four Lottra

I could me it seus Saing her gani. I continued with it, and slot in nor quizo rgred and her skin is Profit by Miss Bignell's Experience perfectly clear of the sape places"

and Start Cleansing Your Blɔod to-day.

BIG GARAGE TO LET NEWLY BUILT.

MODERNLY EQUIPPED NEXT TO STAR THEATRE

APPLY

GAY KEE DAVID HOUSE Tel. C. 1482.

METALS

of all kinds espacially for ship- -buliding and enginsering work. Compists stock, Ball Tarma, Immediate delivary.

SINGON & CO., ESTABLISHED A.D. 1880.

HING LUNG' SI. Phone n ....Contraj 515

.

Healed

!!

By Cleansing the Blood with

Clarke's Blood Mixture

Just as good for

Rashes, Sores, Bad Legs, Ulcers, Pilzs, Swollen Glands, Gout & Bheumatism. Of cul chemists and dealers.

BATTERY CHARGING

and all kind of car repairs competently effected by-

FIAT GARAGE

67, Des Voeux Rd. C. Tel C. 4821.

TIENTSIN CARPETS

Special Show at CHELLARAM'S

OPPOSITE HONGKONG, HOTEL.

PRICES MODERATE

COME TO US

FOR YOUR

RADIO NEEDS

SHORT WAVE EQUIPMENT AND ALL SPARES IN STOCK. NOTE THE ADDRESS—

THE UNION STORE 37, Des Voeux Road,

+

OPIUM · TRAFFIC PROBLEMS.

"

DIFFICULTY OF ERADICATING

THE HABIT.

CONTRABAND SOURCE. The nature and extent of the illicit traffic in oplum in Hongkong is dealt with in the concluding part of the Government memorandum on the subject published below. The chief sources of supply are outlined and examples are given of the Ingenious hiding places used to conceal the smuggled drug. Arguments for a reduction in the price of Government oplum are set out and stress is laid on the dif- feulties of adequately guarding the Colony's extensive frontier and

const line.

Labels of this type, with or without the overprinting, have been found with 4,030 taels of opium seized on arrival from Pakhoi in the first ten months of 1929 and also 2,020 tools of opium seized on arrival from Canton. during the game period.

1929

Colony and the neighbouring pro- vinces of the Republic.

On the nöthern side of the New Territories there is a land and river frontier extending for over 14 miles.

The Colony and Now Territories. on the mainland have a' coast line of approximately 190 miles which provides Innumerable secluded spots at which contraband goods

LIBEL ACTION.

CHINESE NEWSPAPER TO.

PAY DAMAGES.

Mr Pun. In-tat, chỉof assistant to Messrs. Clark and Iu, architects, was awarded $1,000–damages by noon against Messra. Fung So the Paisne Judge yesterday after. and Wung Hui-kwong, editor and respectively of the

The 7,061 facts of Wuchow opium seized during the first ten months of 1929 bore blue labels bearing characters meaning "Wa- can be landed.

The Talend of Hongkong Itself chow District Oplum Suppression Bureau Inspected," and on the has a coastline of approximately printer 17th October a new design of label 42 miles offering similar facilities vernacular journal the Xwat Tee appeared on Wuchow opium bear for smuggling, and in the neigh- Daily for publishing a libel against are some sixty him in their columns: Judgment ing characters meaning. "First bouring waters Quality. Approved after inspec. sparsely populated islands which was entered by consent of both de

can be, and at times have beon, fendnuts. used na dumping places for opium which is intended ultimately, to bo brought to the island or mainland by small craft.

tion."

14

The task of adequately guarding sa extensive a frontier and const line ngainat the smuggling of oium would involve expenditure,

. Mr. Horace Lo, who appeared for Mr. Pun In-tat, said that the libel complained of had appeared on October 12 Inst. He announc ed that he would read tollis Lord- ship the article wherein the libel had appeared, and tendered a cer- fed translation of it to the Court. The article, which was a lengthy document, was then read out. In: the article were certain passages which, the plaintif alleged, accus- ed him of abominable practice.

"His Lordship, would see, said

• Price Reduction Experiment. „ Documents seized in certain premises recently searched by the Revenue Department furnished at. least strong prima facle evidence that an officer holding a reapon sible position' in the Pubile Safety Bureau at Canton, and who ad-yond the means of this Govern- mittedly had à share in a licensed

6. A brief survey of the traffic opium shop at Canton, was en entering the Colony shows the gaged in sending considerable difficulties by which this Govern- consignments of opium to an as- ment and its officers are faced in sociate in Hongkong and the n their efforts to prevent the, In-' counts rendered by this person introduction of contraband opium. Mr. Lo, that the article was most

1. It is impossible to ostimnie with any pretence to accuracy the extent of the illicit traffic in oplum with respect to either the amount amuggled into the Colony itself or the amount smuggled through the Colony en route for other places.

The numbers of seizures and thedicated that speciñe payments had amounts seized during the past been made to "Customs." five years are as follows:

Year. Number of

Seizures.

Tacls.

3024

2,69)

G2,163

1925

2,880

62,982

1926

2,331

60.208

1927

2:261

48,921

18.450

711 1928 The figures for the first four years include numerdhs seizures in divans,

4. In the autumn of 1927 the Government of this Colony reduced the price of its oplum ex- perimentally in order to try to re- capture from the smugglers the market which they had been ablo to capture owing to the high price of Government opium.

There was

an immediate in- crease in the sale of Government oplum and the number of seizures, of illicit opium showed a marked decline.

At the end of January, 1928, the experiment was discontinued and

ment.

The returns of the Kowloon- defamatory 'to his client. "It ac- Canton railway for the three cused him of an unspeakable crime months, July, August and Sep- and alleged that he had been fore- tember, 1920, show that an avered to take up a position lowering age of over 40,000 persons perto him. His client was a respect- month entered the Colony by railed citizen, a Bachelor of Science " from stations in Chinese territory. of the Hanghong University and During the first half of the year chief assistant to a well-known 1929 a total of 863,334 passengers firm of architects. The libel way entered the Colony by sen.

most disgraceful and disgusting. | During the same period 624 | and there was not the least, ground

ships arrived from Macao. 1,654 or foundation for x. from Canton, Wuchow and other West River ports, 104 from Kwong Chow Wan territory and 505 from ports on the China Coast other than the above mentioned. The

Insuperable Difficulties.

What proportion these figures bear to the amounts successfully smuggled cannot be ascertained.

2. The chief source from which illicit opium reaches the Colony fathenceforward the sales of Go-total tonnage of these ships was China, but the routes by which it vernment oplum declined while the 2,977,778.

Increased comes vary from time to time.

number of seizures Until 1928 Kwong Chow Wan showing the resumption of more was the chief supplier of Chinese extensive operations, by the opium, which was carried by amugglers. practically every ship from that port.

In 1928 the route by which the majority of the

Chinese opium came into the Colony was changed to the West River and the main supply now comes from Wuchow, though a certain quantity comes from Macao and Pakhol.

coming

During 1929 a certain quantity of opium of Weat River origin was, transported overland by rail... from Canton."

Amoy oplum is not seen in any large quantities and has never been very popular in the Colony.

In the seizures af opium arriving from Mains both raw and adulter- ated Persian opium have been encountered several times in 1929.

No Indian Opium.

The adulterated Persian "eplum has borne imitations of the stamp of Behbeham & Sons of Bushire and the contents of the packets have consisted of a little Persian opiam mixed with the cheap paste which is used for making juga. sticke

The Government believes that the results of the above experiment merit careful consideration and that therein might possibly be found a solution to the problem of the reduction of consumption:

The Government for the pur poses of the experiment placed on sale three grades of opium at $15.00, $8.33 and $6.00 per tael.

Risks of Punishment.

The price at that time ruling for smuggled prepared Chinese oplum was $2.80 to $3.50 per tacl.

There are in addition many launches registered in the Colony which ply between the port of Victoria and outlying islands and points on the mainland contiguous to Chinese derritory.

Junks to an average of op proximately one thousand por month arrive in the waters of the Colony from places on the China const

23,050 junka, sampans and other small craft belonging to the Colony were registered in 1928 and these in their constant passing to and between different parts of the Colony are undoubtedly of the greatest utility to smugglers, while It will be Been therefore that a fishing fleet of several thousand the lowest. Government price was large junks affords further facili- still considerably above and wantics for smuggling. not actually competitive with that of the emugglers.

The difficulty of controlling the import of contraband by traffic such as the above is well-nigh insuperable.

41

What can be done in the way of search of disembarking pasangers

Netendants' Apologies,

Mr. Leo D'Almada janr, who represented the second defendant, said that he wished to offer his client's profound regret that the article had been published. His client was anxious to make it clear that he was deeply sorry that the libel had appeared. Mr. D'Almada had earlier pointed out that his client was only the printer, and not the printer and publisher of the daily, as set out in the statement of claim. At Mr. D'Almada's request, His Lordship had the words struck out.

On behalf of the editor of the Kwat The Daily, Mr. F. G. E. Ren dull offered apologies to Mr. Fun in-tat, and expreased, on Mr. Fung So's behalf, deep contrition and regret that the article had been published. His client, said Mr. Rendall, had been in ill-health for some time. At about the time the offending article appeared he Inserted in the paper a notifica- tion of the fact that he was going to the country for his health. As a matter of fact he had been unable to go as he had wished as he was not strong enough. Mr. Rondall said that he would produce 25 medical certificate to that effect.

His Lordship: That has no bearing on the article.

Notwithstanding this con- tinued disparity in prices it is an undoubted fact that there was a great falling off in the amount of

and of vessels is done and the opium smuggled Into the Colony.

If the smuggler could have main-Government has incurred great tained his market and still have expense in the provision of sca- obtained even his former low going launches to enable an price he could still have gained effective patrol to be carried out As far as may be both within the The only other Persian opiumaihe same profit on his transactions Harbour limits and in the sur-the remarka made against plaintif

rounding territorial waters,

srized during the year 1928 was taken in transit from Amor to the Straits or Rangoon.

and his risks would be unchanged.

It is clear therefore that a factor other than price competition in- nuenced the poaltion and destroy- ed the smugglers' market.

to

Mr. Rendull said that he wished offer full and unqualified apology on behalf of his client for

A Disgusting. Article, Giving judgment His Lordship Ingenious Hiding Places,

said that the article was an éx- No Indian opium whatsoever

7. So far as is ascertainable tremely disgusting one. It was. was seized during the year,

a newspaper As mentionel elsewhere, most of This factor was, in the opinion the profit obtained by the actual difficult to see how the raw Chinese pium seized of the Government, the reluctance smuggler of oplum is not high, having regard to the standards of bears Chinese revenge labels and, of the actual consumer to run the The price usually ruling is about the press could have published it. so far as is known, no precautions same risks of punishment as there. $2.00 while the retailer obtains He warned the defendants that the are taken to prevent the smug-tofore for the purpose of obtain from 32.80 to $3.50 per tael. present case was not the only form Rapidity of turn-over of capital of proceedings that could be in- gling of opium out of the provinces ing smuggled oplum even though of Kwong Sai and Kwong Tung this might be procurable at a price is the factor which makes the stigated against publishers of euch into other parts of China.er into

some $3.00 per tael helow that of business profitable.

8. The Chinese have always libels. They could be prosecuted this Colony.

cheapest grade, of Government

shown the greatest ingenuity in for defamatory libel, and if it were 3. The position in the neigh-

oplum. bouring provinces of China varies

It seems highly probable that devising. hiding places for con- proved that the publisher had good khowledge that the facts contain- from time to time as differant cliques gain the ascendency, but the consumer was influenced to traband opium. purchase and

It has been found in receptaclesed in the libel wefe untrue, he was use 题 smaller whatever party may be in power quantity of the higher priced Go. bolted outside the bottom of a junk, liable to imprisonment for two all indications point to the fact BIG LINER'S MISHAP, that, though at times there may be vernment opium which he could in a hollowed out apar, in a com- years. Even if this latter fact

use with the knowledge that nepartment Inside a tin of petrol or a were not proved, a organizations which bear the titles was not infringing the law rather jar of wine, in the leg of a bed would still be liable to imprison- a bag of flour, in ament for one year for publishing of Opium Suppression Bureaux than obtain a larger amount of stead. in MAURETANIA COLLIDES WITH and at times there may be re- smuggled opium which he could woman's hair, in tins of preserved a defamatory libel.

Judgment was then entered cognized Government or private use only with the fear of in- fruit and vegetables and in every A CAR FERRY.

monopolies in opium, the purpos0curring heavy penalties.

conceivable place in which the jointly in the sum of $1,000. `* Chiriese can devise means to hide of the authorities, is to manage

an article the bulk of which is as the sale of and acquire the revenue

small as its value is large. derivable from oplum rather than to limit or control consumption or to restrict traffic.

New York, Nov. 28. Cunard The famous

Trans- 8.8. Mauretania Atlantic liner, was involved in an accident fate she on Wednesday night, when

Any internal restrictions came into collision with a car puppy cultivation in China became ferry near Robbins Reef, New dead letter throughout the York Harbour. The liner enter- greuter part of that country (and ed quarantine and reported that particularly in the. South) not she was not damaged. The ferry long after the exclusion of Indian boat was badly battered.. opium became an accomplished fact, and China now appears to Liner, Damaged,

produce very large supplies avail The Mauretania had just startable for export. ed for Europe, with heavy passenger list, numbering 870, when she struck the car ferry so violently that ton goods cars were hurled overboard,

n

Later.

:

of

Arguments for Lower Price. The argument for reduction of price may be summed up thus:

The present price of Govern- ment opium is prohibitive except to the wealthier members of the community.

defendant.

bo made more efficacious without evoking a storm of protest.

In ships opium has been found

A more rigorous' search of shio- in every hollow space from tha ladies bath-rooms to the Captain's ping would likewise cause pro cabin and from the crow's nest to found discontent among the ship- the bilges. It has in fact been ping community and result in the found uncless to embark on the withdrawal of such support as is A prohibitive price. necessarily cears of a large ahip unless de- now given to the suppression, of

Anite Information le forthcoming the traffic. encourages smuggling.

A high; but not prohibitive, as to tim mecise wheresbours of The Government feels that the price cuts away the smugglers the contratan, and in viey f the penalties for trafficking in and use market increases consumption of impossibility of opening at the of illicit opium are already suffi the legitimate supplies but reduces packages on board a ship any ciently drastic and that any in- gross consumption, because con-

of the penalties would search of cargo is likely to he sumers prefer amallet supplies of

bid the offers of rewards, by the amounts of the bribes which they: the legitimate and unadulterated abortive unless particulars of the merely encourage offenders to out- article to larger supplies of adul-suspect packages are known.

Bribery Question,

would offer for immunity from terated contraband which may involve them in fines and imprison- 9. The dimculties met with in prosecution.

combatting smuggling into the

ment.

The cessation of the use of Colony are, if possible, increased

стерве

Interesting Labels." An interesting light on the at titude of certain of the Chiness authorities and the alleged at tempts to suppress the use

The difficulties caused in the The Mauretania's crew launch- opium is provided by the labels

fulfilment of the obligations un- ed a lifeboat to rescue the crow found amongst 8,000 faels of raw

a when the attempt is made to pra- dertaken in Chapter II of The of the car ferry, but the latter Chinese opium seized amongst smuggled opium would have

the Hague Opium Convention of 1918 remained afloat and was towed passengers baggage on a ship fourfold reaction in that it would vent smuggling, through

and in the Geneva Opium Agred to Staten Leland.

which arrived from Pakhoi on the reduce the gross amount of opium Colony,

consumed, would reduce the de- It is a manifest Impossibility to meni of February, 1925, An examination of the liner 22nd July, 1929.

As will be seen from Part II of has revealed two holes in the The oplum was concealed in mand for production in the in-search all ships and examine all bows, which, however, it is hoped false bottoms of trunks and terior of China, would reduce cargo passing through the Colony this Memorandum the Government and hera therefore our, excise ser- of Hongkong has taken all possible will not prevent a resumption baskets, in tins of oil and in cakes the profits of smugglers which now

of wax and bean-cake.

go to increase the contrabandvice, is more than ever dependent measures to give effect to the of the voyage to-day.

Later.

The labels are issued by the uplum trade, and at the same time on the receipt of definite and arcbifgations undertaken, and the pression of the use of and trafic Canton (Kwangtung) Treasury would eliminate that criminality curate information as to cor- failure to achieve the total sup and describe the raw opium as a in matters relating to oplum which signments.

undermince general In 1928 only three seizures were in oplum must be attributed to the drug or medicine for breaking the now

respect for the law and submits made of aplum in transit to the dimetilties forosson in Article II opium habit,

The labels ате over-printed the guardians of the low to the south and one of oplum in transit of the Protocol to the Geneva to the United States of America. Agreement coupled with the dim- The captain has informed the with characters meaning "Tals temptations of bribery, Harbour Police that the car ferry will be treated us contraband if it

10. The Chinese community has culty of eradicating an established from time to time protested habit amongst a fluctuating com- It is hoped that temporary 6 thus appear to be recognized 5. The Colony of Hongkong is against the rigorous search to munity inhabiting territory which pairs will enable a continuance export stamp similar in character geographically an integral part which incoming passengers and is particularly susceptible to the of the voyage--Reuter's American on prepared oplum exported from of China and there constant in their luggage are subjected and operations of dealers in contra-

Amoy and seized in this Colony.tercommunication between the the methods of search could not band.

The Mauretania, with a four by ten feet hole above the water line, is returning hither ux- assisted.

did not give her the right of way enters the Interior" and would

Service,

the

Geographical Difficulties.

Page 10Page 11