THE OPIUM HABIT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 168, 26 July 1901, Page 4

THE OPIUM HABIT.

DEPUTATION TO THE PREMIER. (From Our Special Correspondent.) ■WELLINGTON, This Day. The Premier was waited on last evening by a deputation from the Christian Endeavour Convention now sitting in Wellington, accompanied by Messrs Guinness, Ell, and Wilford, IT^H-B^ on the subject of the opium vice. .he Rev. Chas. 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 enkins (Secretary of the I onvention), who has had tenyears labour among the Chinese in the Cnnstchucrh district^ testified to the evils done not only to the Chinese but also to Europeans by opium-smoking habits. Miss Husfcwick, a missionary amongst the Chinese, and Mr Wilford, gave similar testimony. „ „ . , The 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 feared that if importation of opium was prohibited the drug would be smuggled, as 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 consider what could be done.