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Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21975, 26 December 1936, Page 15

An official statement issued recently has drawn attention to an act of selfdenial on the part of India. From January 1. 1936, no exports of opium have left India except for medical and scientific purposes. As a result of this action, which is aimed at the suppression of drug-taking, particularly in the Far East. India has lost an annual income of about £6,000,000. It was in 1908 that the Government of India decided to reduce opium exports to China progressively. Since 1915 the aim of the Government of India has been to sell opium, as far as possible, direct to the Governments of the countries to which it is sent. After some years of this system it was realised that purchasing Governments were not all equally alive to their obligations, and that some change would have to be made to avoid the unpleasant necessity of criticising the demands received or of rationing the supplies. In June, 1926, it was announced that the extinction of these exports would take place in 10 years. This has now been achieved.