Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1901. OPIUM PROHIBITION BILL.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 11 September 1901, Page 2

Greymouth Evening Star, AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 1901. OPIUM PROHIBITION BILL.

If the Bill introduced into Parliament yesterday by the Eight Hon. the Premier passes the Legislature in its present form, opium smoking in this colony is likely to become a thing of the past, or else have to be indulged “in retirement and solitude.” The Bill, which is a very drastic measure, prohibits the import into the colony of opium in any form suitable for smok-

ing under a penalty not exceeding £IOO., It is also unlawful for any person to import into the colony opium in any form which though not suitable for smoking may yet be made suitable unless he holds a permit to do so issued by the Commissioner of Trade and Customs, but no permit is to be issued to any person of the Chinese race. The penalty for a breach of this section is any sum not exceeding £SO. All transactions 'in opium are to be recorded in detail. If in the process of manufacture, the entry shall state the amount and description of opium used, and the purpose for which it is intended to be used together with the date of such disposition.- Any breach of this section is punishable by a penalty not exceeding £lO. The manufacturer within the colony of opium for smoking is declared unlawful and smoking of opium is declared illegal. If any constable has reasonable cause to suspect that the smoking of opium is going on, or is permitted in any house or premises, be may under a search warrant enter and search such house or premises and seize and carry away any opium and appliances for the

smoking o£ opium found therein, but no search warrant is required in the case of entry on premises occupied by Chinese. If any person is found smoking opium or permitting or abetting the smoking of opium he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding £lO. And as if the foregoing were not sufficiently stringent, power is given the Governor-in-Oouncil to make such further regulations as may be necessary.