OPIUM SMOKERS.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 2 August 1901, Page 4

OPIUM SMOKERS.

A deputation from the Christain Endeavor Convention now sitting in Wellington waited on the Premier on Monday on the subject of the opium vice. The deputation were introduced by Mr Guinness (member for Grey) ai d accompanied by Messrs Ell (Christchurch) and Wilford (Wellington Suburbs). The Rev. Charles Dallaston, who acted as spokesman, submitted a resolution to the Premier thank ingTum for the interest he was taking in the question, and urging him to reintroduce his Opium Prohibition Bill of last session. Speaking as a worker amongst the Chinese for fourteen or fifteen years, Mr Dallaston said he could bear personal testimony to the evil worked, not only amongst the Chinese, but amongst the Europeans, through the vice of opium-smoking. Mr W J Jonkcn, secretary of flie Convention, stated that during his ten years’ labor in the Christchurch district among the Chinese he had witnessed, as the result of opium-smoking, sights of a sickening character. The habit he added, was shared in by Europeans. Mr Hustwick, who had also worked as a missionary amongst the Chinese, but had only visited the opium dens on one or two occasions, supported the previous speakers as to the evils resulting from the opium-smoking habit.

Mr Wiiferd stated that he had come across many instances of the vice of opium-smoking, and that he couln support the assertion that young Europeans wore acquiring the habit. The Premier »aid that the statement that the opium vice was worse than the drink evil was only too true, but the matter was a difficult one to deal with, and he feared that if the importation were prohibited opium would he smuggled in, as a deal of considerable value could be carried in a small compass. However, he was satisfied that something must be done. _ Possibly a penalty for being found in possession of opium might have a benefic al effect. He would carefully consider the matter, and see what could be done.