DECLINE OF THE POPPY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7871, 5 August 1911, Page 19

DECLINE OF THE POPPY.

That China is doing her best to stamp out tho opium traffic in the Middle Kingdom is now generally recognised, and a letter in tho “Rangoon Gazette” from the pen of E. J. Eingle comes as a reminder of this fact. Mr Dingle, who in 1909 made a study on the spot of tho quesl on of the suppression of the poppy in China, writes from Hankow as follows: “i unhesitatingly declare that, in my experience I have never known or heard of a crusade against this national ourse being carried on with greater vigour and at greater national expense, and China is unquestionably doing her part. So recently as the past three months X have travelled in parts of tho interior provinces where two years ago I saw more than half the land given up to cultivation of the poppy. Now there is not a single poppy patch.”

Howell: I see that the paper says that the treasury department announces that by washing paper money it will last twice as long. Powell: Yes, but what is a poor chap to do while his money is in the laundry ? Willie: How vain you are Ethel. Looking at yourself in the glass. Ethel: Vain! Mo vain! Why, I don’t think myself half so good-looking as I really am.

Newed (after the ceremony): “Dearest, do you really think I’ll prove a satisfactory mate?” Mrs Newed: “Oh, I guess you’l] do as a mate all right. Now look at me, and tell me what you think of your captain.” “Is it a restful place at that suburban hoarding house where you are stopping?” asked the young man with the absent air. “It is now,” answered the fussy bachelor. “There’s-a sign in the parlor which reads: 'This Piano is Closed for Repairs.’ ”