Modular Infotech Pvt. Ltd. - DSpace

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67. This appeared to us to imply a knowledge of the finger-print
system on the part of the staff of every Government opium-shop.
We were told that a sufficiently good working knowledge of the
system could be obtained in a short time, but we were not entirely
satisfied that this was not too optimistic.
GENERAL.
, 68. We sum up our views on the various aspects of the question
of registration and licensing of opium-smokers :-
We have written elsewhere on t.he social and economic
aspect of the opium habit in British Malaya, and we feel that
the position is not such' as to demand an immediate attempt
at·a system which will inevitably bring many grave evils in
its train.
We hold that corruption amongst the lower orders of the
staff, (which must be organised), is bound to arise from the
introduction of this measure, but we admit that lapse of time
will not appreciably reduce the risk of this.
We feel certain that an impetus to smuggling will be given
by the system, and we hold that smuggling cannot adequately be
dealt with until the official prohitition of poppy cultivation in
China becomes effective.
We anticipate with misgiving the malpractices of the army
of informers who are certain to be brought into being by the
creation of a multitude of new offences.
We cannot avoid reflecting upon possible disturbance of
the free influx of Chinese labour which might result from restrictions
of this nature, unless this system were applied universally
wherever the Chinese can earn a livelihood. Any check on
a free flow of labour from China would have disastrous effects
on the economic position of British Malaya, and these territories
would be' faced with a steadily dwindling revenue and
a steadily increasing expenditure, owing to costly preventive
services and establishments required to make the system
effective.
69. We repeat that we recommend the Governments of Malaya
not to contemplate a scheme of registration and licensing combined
until complete control over the retail distribution of prepared opium
is in their hands.
70. Even with complete Government control of the retail sale
of prepared opium, we consider that the success of the composite
measure of registration and licensing would be highly problEimatical.
71. We shall, however, in the next section, explore the preliminary
steps which should in our opinion be taken to give a reasonable
chance of effectiveness. to a system of registration, licensing
and individual rationing when it is introduced.