Page:George Archdall Reid 1896 The present evolution of man.djvu/379

but they are probably not less than 200,000. The legitimate requirements of these people must necessarily be considered and provided for.' Sir Alexander Mackenzie's views on the point were the same. He objected to any interference with the supply of opium to the non-Burmese population. 'There is,' he said, 'a considerable non-Burmese population of Shans, Chinese, and others who are accustomed to the moderate use of opium, and who consume it without ill effects or with beneficial results.' The Chief Commissioner 'is not prepared to advise the absolute prohibition of the possession or sale of opium in Burmali by persons of non-Burman descent. Such a step would be an unjustifiable interference with the habits of a large section of the population, and would be quite impossible to enforce. It may be considered as established beyond question, that there is a legitimate demand for opium among the foreign residents of Burmali, which would exist whether the Government countenanced the use of opium or not; that if Government decided to declare the sale or possession of opium generally illegal, the demand would be supplied by illicit means, and that the result of any attempt to enforce absolute prohibition of the use of opium would be the loss of a large amount of revenue without any commensurate benefit.' Although, as I said before, I cannot say that I am satisfied that while opium is harmless or beneficial to the Chinese and others, it is poisonous to the Burmese, still I cannot dispute the authority by which that opinion is supported, and if it be correct, I know of only one suggestion by which it can be explained. I believe there is no race of men among whom the demand for one form of stimulant or another does not exist, and it has been held by some—perhaps correctly—that while particular stimulants are harmless or beneficial to some races, they are injurious to others. It is possible that opium, taken even in moderation, may be injurious or a dangerous temptation to a Burmese, although it may be innocent or beneficial to Chinamen or Sikhs, and, as many have maintained is the case, alcohol, taken even in moderation, may be bad