THE OPIUM TRAFFIC

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6491, 10 April 1908, Page 6

THE OPIUM TRAFFIC

DISCOURAGED IN CHUTA ENERGETIC STEPS BY THE GOVERNMENT. RIGOROUS PROHIBITION. Dy Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright LONDON, April 8. Tho Chinese Government is making an energetic attempt to reduce the of opium. It has issued a rigorous prohibition against the use of tho drug in colleges, schools, and tho army.

Prince Ivung and four High officials aro inquiring as to extra smoking among officials and people. The edict orders the establishment of refuges whero victims will be treated.

Past year it was anno\inced that Britain would assent to the regular decrease by China of imports of Indian opium, provided that China proved that she was corregpoTidingly reducing tho production -of the native drug. Furthermore. Britain would asry?nt to an increase in Chinese Customs and Likin* placing foreign opium on an equality 1 with tho native product as regards taxation. It was asserted at the time that n sacrifice of revenue formed an impenetrable barrier to any oerlous effort on tho part of China to put down tho opium traffic, and many believed that t.iio object of diminishing the importation of the Indian product waa to encourage further cultivation of tho poppy in China. About the middle of last year the provincial authorities of Chi-U intimated to farmers that tho cultivation of the poppy was not to bo discontinued, Imperial edicts to tho contrary notwithstanding, and that the land growing poppy was not to be taxed. On tho other band, however, in August it was cabled that all the opium dens in Canton had been closed, and that there was general rejoicing in consequence; and a few days later tt was cabled that an array order had been issued directing that officers or soldiers found smoking opium should he beheaded. r , waa announced in Peking last month that Britain has agreed to an experimental decrease in tho importation of Indian opium for three years, in order to see whether the cultivation of the poppy and the number of opium-smokers will he lessened. If this proves to be tho case the importation will b© decreased annually. A decree waa issued by tho Government at Peking, ordering further measures to deal with tho opium evil.