THE DRUG TRAFFIC

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 4 September 1928, Page 5

THE DRUG TRAFFIC

CONTROL OK OPIUM. ON OK INQUIRY PROPOSED. (British Oilicial Wireless.) RUGBY, Sept/ 2, Tiie Council 01 the League, m nations cons-dered tiie question of the control of the opium traffic. The .lit. Mon. \V. Mackenzie King, the C anadian ropresontativp, pi ere n ted a, re : port on tiie subject unci moved that the mitish Government proposal for mstitat'ing a commission of inquiry into the situation should be sent, forward to the Assembly, this reference being necessary as funds for such an inquiry * an bt> voted only by the Assembly. Lord Cus hen dun. the British ie]>resentative. explaining the proposal, .‘■aid I that under the Hague Convention of 1912 the British and other Governments were pledged to a gradual suppression of toe trade in ana the tune of prepared opium. Efforts had been made to carry out that undertaking, but, owing to the condition** in the Lav | East, gieat cliffi.mlties were exteri-: ©need, especially at Hong Kong, where it was found impossible to prevent illicit traffic in alcohol, and they would understand how much more difficult it was for Hong Kong to pi event li'Micit traffic in opium. In these circumstances the British Government had thought it desirable that the League should appoint a commission to examine the condition,s independently and impartially, ancl ;io doubt they would advise as to how the difficulties might be overcome. He hoped it would be taken ias proof of the confidence which the British Government reposed in the- League of Nations that it sKonld! be willing, to hand over a matter touching such vast commercial and material interests to impartial examination. He also 'hoped it- would be taken as proof of tlir- llri-ti-s-h: desire to Mop the traffic. M. Boneour (France) and fho T>nt,-h ■representative, in supporting the proposal, declared that their respect iw Governments would facilitate inquiry in their far distant dependencies. It was decided to,refer flip piopnsd io the League Assembly. As the Geneva Opium Convention, having been ratified by the lequisiti"* number of Powers, comes into fn T© on September. 20, the League Council considered the appointment of the permanent central board set ur> under article 10 of the convention. The convention provides that the United States must lie aisiked to nominate a member and (lie council decided to invite the Government of the United States io do so.