THE GOVERNMENT OPIUM MONOPOLY IN JAVA.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:1 SIR,—I am now able to give precise information on this question. The profit derived from the Dutch Government in Java from its opium monopoly is £1,500,000 a year (18,000,000 gulden). The Government purchases crude opium from British India, and completes its preparation at the Government opium manufactory in Batavia. From thence it is distributed through- out the country for sale retail at the Government agencies. The Government has recently shown signs of an awakening conscience, and has declared its intention gradually to diminish its sales of opium until the vice ceases to exist in Java. In a few towns no opium is sold by the Government, and, in a few, it is sold only to Chinamen ; but, when we consider the enormous income now derived by the Government from this source, it is difficult to believe in this declared programme of gradual extinction (and, if the Government be sincere, why should the process be gradual P). In Djokja I always see a number of native purchasers when I pass the" Opium Verkoop Pleats," and they present the most miserable appearance. Some are almost paralyzed, and all bear the stamp of the drug. The Government has established a complete monopoly. If the Government opium manufactory were to be closed to-day, the vice would be at once stamped out in Java.-1 am, Sir, &c.,
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