THE OPIUM VICE.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 9296, 25 July 1901, Page 5

THE OPIUM VICE.

{FROM OUR REPORTSh) [by telegraph. ] Wellington, Last night. The Premier was waited on last evening by a deputation from the Endeavor Convention now sitting in Wellington, accompanied by Messrs Guinness, Ell, and Wilford, M.'s H.R., on the subject-of the opium vice. The Rev. Charles Dallaston congratulated the Premier on his Opium Prohibition Bill of last session, and urged its reintroduction and passage into law. He, as a worker amongst the Chinese for fourteen years, and Mr Jenkins (secretary of the convention), who has had tea years' labor among the Chinese in the Chrietchurch district, testified to the evils done, not only to the Chinese, but to Europeans also, by opium smoking habits. Miss Hustwick (a missionary amongst the Chinese) and Mr Wilford gave similar testimony. Ihe Premier, in reply, said the statement that the opium vice was worse than the drink evil was only too true, but the matter was a difficult one to deal with, and he faared that if the importation was prohibited opium would be smuggled, ac a deal of value could be carried in a small compass. However, he was satisfied that something must be done. Possibly a penalty for being found in possession of opium might have a beneficial effect. He would carefully consider the matter and see what could be done.