DRUG TRAFFIC

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19664, 26 August 1935, Page 9

DRUG TRAFFIC

TRADE NOT DIMINISHING. LEAGUE OF NATIONS’ ACTION Although strict national and international control have enabled lawful manufacture of drugs to be brought down to the level of world requirements, the twentieth session of the Opium Advisory Committee, which concluded its work in Geneva on June 5, found that the illicit traffic has not diminished, says the monthly summary of the League of Nations. It appears that this ‘rafflo is supplied largely by clandestine manufacture, which has been discovered in the West and in the East. In view of this situation, the Committee adopted unanimously the proposal of the Italian representative, that the question of measures to be taken by Governments to trace illicit manufacture should be placed on the agenda of its next session. The drug situation in the Far East was dealt with at some length by the committee. It heard an extensive report from the Chinese representative as to the way the new measures recently adopted in that country for the suppression and eventual elimination of the drug traffic were being applied. The regulations promulgated on May I I. 1034. by the Chinese Government relating to clandestine manufacture and the traffic in and use of manufactured narcotics have now heen extended to most Chinese pro"vlnccs. So rigorous are the penalties applied that in 233 cases the death penalty was inflicted either for manufacturing, selling, transporting drugs Illicitly or on Individuals who had relapsed into addiction. Compulsory Treatment. In China, drug addicts are now subjected to compulsory treatment. If in 1936 there are any who have not undergone this treatment, they will be imprisoned for five y'ears at least, in addition to the compulsory’ cure, and ■after 1937, the penalty will be death or life imprisonment for non-medical use of manufactured drugs. In this way, it was explained. China hoped to deter illicit manufacture and drug addiction in that country. In six years, the Chinese Government also plans to suppress completely the cultivation of the opium poppy'. In certain provinces it has been prohibited, and in others it Is gradually being reduced each year. The Chinese Government has created a series of educational measures against the use of narcotics, consisting of lectures, public meetings under the direction of high officials, instruct ion in schools, distribution of posters and tracts and publicity in the Press. General -Chians Kai Shek himself has been appointed InspectorGeneral for the suppression of opium, and he. intends to show that the abolition of the opium scourge is an essential condition of Chinese reconstruction.

The, increasing use of Indian hemp 'for the manufacture of narcotic drugs was given careful consideration by the ■committee and the Secretariat was lnsfruoferl In make further investigations on this subject. The more effective application of the various Conventions, particularly as regards the functioning of the Import certificate and export authorisation system, was studied by the committee. Another interesting subject dealt with concerned the treatment of addicts In the institutions created for that, purpose In the United States, where a new approach to the problem In terms of reconstruction and reform was being attempted. Ratified By New Zealand. 'During the session, the committee was notified that Japan had deposited the instrument of ratification of the 1931 Limitation Convention. It was also informed that Estonia and New Zealand had ratified the same Convention.

A strong appeal was also addressed to the Iranian Government to ratify without delay the International Conventions of 1912 and 1925, particularly wilh a view to putting an end to the traffic in opium between Iran and China. The committee sat under fho chairmanship of Dr. Carrlere, of Switzerland, and was attended by the representatives of twenty-two countries.