THE OPIUM TRADE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2807, 23 March 1882, Page 2

THE OPIUM TRADE.

There are symptoms about that we are threatened with a renewal of the old controversy on this sore subject. Sir Rutherford Alcock has begun the battle with an article in the “Nineteenth Century,” and a speech at the Society of Arts that has evoked much hostile criticism from the Radical papers. Sir: Rutherford says no cause exists for interfering with existing arrangements. He declares that the Chinese opposition is simply a movement on behalf of Protection, inasmuch as ftn immense quantify of opium is used in parts of China where that grown in India is prohibited from, entering,. and that the cultivation of the poppy is yearly extending in the' Oelesti at Empire. Further, he declares, and the “ Times ” supports him, that the mild form of the drug consumed is no worse in its operation than tobacco-smoking here or elsewhere andthatit is an antidote to drunkennessOf course, in a strictly moral aspect of the affair, financial questions cannot: enter; but for those who have to administer,, the Empire, it is a vital question how the six or seven millions added to the revenue by the opium trade is to be provided for if the trafficis to be suppressed. It appears that Sir Rutherford must hare lately somewhat changed his opinion, as his views as expressed before a Select Committee some years ago appear to be at varience with present utterances. It is also alleged that where, through the influence of missionaries, the! .practice of smoking or chewing has been given up, consumption makes rapid inroads in the family, and that consequently the use of this narcotic is a; cure for this distressing, malady. For myself I forbear to express an opinion until the matter has been further ventilated, but it _is remarkable that men of very high standing have pronounced strongly against what they call this “ immoral traffic." Certain it is that thirty yearn ago tho use of opium was almost lid-: known in China, and it is said that so strong was the feeljng against its use that a certain Emperor ,of China executed one of his own children ,who had taken to the habit of indulging in the narcotic. There is less blame attachable seemingly to the English than would at first appear. The purchase of opium was not forced by the sword on an unwilling nation, but was the subject of special treaty long after war had ceased. Lord Hartington will have a tough job to decide between conflicting statements whan he is called upon to express the Government’s intentions,