SUPPRESSION OF OPIUM SMOKING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXX, Issue 11992, 9 October 1906, Page 4

SUPPRESSION OF OPIUM SMOKING.

The cable intimating that the Emperor of China had issued an edict, having for its object the suppression of opium smoking in China has been received with a good deal of rejoicing by the New South Wales Chinese Anti-Opium League, and the chairman (Mr Yee Hing) has forwarded a cable to H.I.M. the Emperor, congratulating him on the step takes, which is acting upon one of the recommendations made by the five commissioners, who have just returned from a tour,, of Europe and America to investigate the different forms of government in vogue in various countries. Chinese newspapers and letters received in Sydney show that for some time past there as been an agitation among the better-class Chinese for the suppression of opium smoking, the course advocated being that the Chinese Government should limit the quantity of opium imported into China each year, and in this way eventually stop its importation altogether, and also to prohibit the local cultivation of the poppy and manufacture of opium. The reason they give for taking this step is that China can never hope for reform so long as its people are allowed to indulge in the habit. The newspaper alao contains laudatory articles for the action, taken by the Commonwealth of Australia in prohibiting the importation of opium. The New South Wales Chinese AntiOpium League, however, is annoyed at th« lethargy of the State GoTemmcnl in. enacting legislation to effectively stamp out opium-smoking, which they contend is as bad as ever it was, the smoker getting his supplies per medium of the smuggler. The members of the league contend that unless New South Wales passes an Act similar to those now in operation - in other States where it has been made an indictable offence to be found smoking or keeping a house where opium is smoked, it will in time become a happy hunting ground for the smugglar, and the object sought to be obtained by the league will be frustrated. Another effort is to be made to get the Carruthers Government to pass a law before the present session closes so as to deal with the smoker as is done in the other States.