AGAINST OPIUM.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 178, 23 April 1908, Page 7

AGAINST OPIUM.

OTA'S CROSADE. SHANGHAI PREMISES-TO CLOSE. ;: dv telegram—mEfis association—copyriciit. Peking, April 21. In accordance with the decision of .the Shanghai ratepayers, five hundred and tiftynino opium houses, selected by lot, will bo closed on July 1. DRUG-DEPRIVED .VICTIMS* DIE. The hugonesS of tlie obstacles in the way of opium reform in China is hardly realised. Tho devotees of tho drug are so numerous in all classes, of society, ; its claims on them are so imperious, that'tlie task of tho opium crusader becomes gigaiiti6. In the opinion of most judges, that.of the. temperance campaigner can bo in no 1 way compared with it, yet the reform movement persists)'and ;is not- confined merely to tho closing of" opium dens. According to an English paper, "a niimber of Princes and high .officials have, beeii, removed from office for failing to break off tho habit. . y ., .. Victims who were suddenly deprived of the: drug, died in consequence, the vice-presidents 1 ' of the Censorato and of the Lav,- Reform Committee being among them.;'.,,.. ./-Che "■-..mortality among tho older victims has resulted-in _ the ago limit, beyond which'smokers may continue the habit, being reduced-from'sixty to: fifty years. .The Director of. Agriculture in Yunnan, has proposed that -opivim, victims r o\'<?r sixty years of age shall wear the red garb of a criminal, and be labelled 'opium convicts." The governor favours; the proposal.".