PUBLICITY IS REMEDY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1049, 13 August 1930, Page 11

PUBLICITY IS REMEDY FOR DRUG TRAFFICKERS

WOMEN TACKLE PROBLEM PAN-PACIFIC CONFERENCE United P.A.—By Telegraph—Copyright HONOLULU, Tuesday. Great enthusiasm was evoked by an address delivered by Dame Rachel Crowdy, chief of the Social Questions and Opium Traffic sections of the secretariat of the League of Nations, on the social and welfare work of the League, at a public meeting in connection with the Pan-Pacific Women’s Conference last evening. Dame Crowdy dealt briefly with the opium question, describing the international character of the traffic with the consequent difficulty of control. She referred to the reports of the committee which is investigating the traffic in women and children published by the League. She said there was no central dominating figure in the traffic, but close, co-operation between the individuals concerned, both men and women. Miss Abbott, of the United States Child Welfare Bureau, was responsible for a suggestion to investigate this matter and to try to obtain financial support in America. This was approved. CHILD WELFARE The investigation is to be continued in Asiatic countries on the suggestion of a Japanese delegate, the money necessary again to he sought in America. It was mentioned that child welfare is a comparatively new undertaking of the League. The work of th-e permanent commission consists chiefly of tlie study of such objects in children’s courts as the connection between illegitimacy and delinquency. These international child welfare conventions aje now being prepared. The subject of the opium traffic was again referred to by Dame Crowdy at a public luncheon today arranged by the Pan-Pacific Union. She described the international machinery for the control of the traffic and said the publicity given to seizures and to the names of firms and individuals concerned was one of the chief means used and had had valuable results. COCAINE PROFITABLE The speaker said annual reports were supplied by countries which had ratified the Opium Convention as to the quantities of the drug imported, exported, manufactured or required for medical purposes. The value of cocaine made the smuggling of that drug in minute quantities profitable. Hence there was great ingenuity in the methods employed and difficulty in their detection. The reception given to the delegates yesterday afternoon at the PanPacific Institute was most interesting. The beautiful position of the institute in Die Manoa Valley, with wonderful views of mountains and sea, aroused the enthusiasm of the visitors. MISS BEGG SPEAKS The director of the institute had arranged a programme of songs and dances by a group of Samoan men and girls. Thanks were expressed in the Samoan language by Miss Jean Begg (New Zealand). American and Chinese refreshments were served by Chinese girls attired in national costumes. The work of the conference was begun today with a survey by Miss Begg of social service problems. A keen discussion followed.