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739. For how many years. does the ordinary 'rikisha coolie manage
to pul1 a 'rikisha ?-1 cannot give a definite estimate.
740. Dr. Galloway.-Do they go OR for some years ?-Yes, they can
Jlul1 for 5 or 6 years.
741. Then, do they go back to China ?-Most of the smokers cannot
afford to go back to China.
742. Chairman.-Would you prohibit opium smoking if you were the
Government ?-I will not suggest anything on that subject.
743. You do not think opium smoking does enough hann to stop
it ?-I think prohibition of smoking chandu would be good for the public
generally.
744. But do you think it could be carried out ?-That depends upon
the management.
745. Does it depend upon the Government or the management ?-If
the Government has the patience to prohibit, it could be carried out.
746. Dr. Galloway.-If there was no opium here, would there be
plenty of pul1ers ?-Yes, and probably we would get stronger pullers.
747. But, would you get plenty of pullers ?-We may suffer a little
in the beginning from shortage.
748. Chairman.-Do any of the 'rikisha pul1ers go in for morphia
injection at the present time ?-They do not.
749. 1 suggest that if you prohibit opium, which you suggest would
he such a very good thing, they would inject morphia instead ?-I do not
think they would be able to get morphia because Government has taken
strong measures to prohibit people from buying and selling morphia.
750. Have you got a coolie depot of your own ?-I had a 'rikisha'
depot formerly; I have none at present.
751. In your experience of 'rikisha depots, do they always provide
facilities for opium smoking, a divan and such-like things ?-A few do provide
iacilities for opium smoking.
752. Mr. Ielf.-When the coolies get wet and cold, don't they find
that opium is a good thing for them ?-No, they usually go to a doctor.
753. Chairman.-Do many 'rikisha pullers drink liquor ?-A few of
them drink arrack; more of them smoke chandu.
754. Foreign liquor?-No, Chinese liquor.
755· Mr. Lim Nee Soon.-Where does the smoker contract the habit,
in China or in Singapore ?-Some contract the habit in China and some in
Singapore.
756. Which is the most ?-In Singapore.
757· Dr. Galloway.-Is that because they earn more money here 1-
Yes. -
758. Then they must have been familiar with the habit in China 1-1
am not sure.
759. When you were a puller 31 years ago, did you live in a depot 1-
Yes.
760. Was there much smoking went on then ?-A little.
This concluded LEE CROON'S evidence.
The Committee adjourned.