CH. XIV.] REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. 285

relation to the hemp drugs should be one of restriction, as far as restriction
is possible, and that, if absolute prohibition were possible, he thinks it
would be a good thing. Owing, however, to the fact that the territories of the
Bombay Presidency interlace so extensively with foreign territory, and to
the feeling which would be aroused among the consumers and those who
sympathize with them, it would in his opinion be impossible or undesirable.
The Secretary to the Arya Samaj in Bombay (109) states that while fully
sympathising with the objects of the Commission, which are apparently understood
to be the restriction or prohibition of the drugs, the Arya Samaj "is of
opinion that any Governmental action in the direction of further restricting
the preparation and sale of the drug will be productive of very little good. The
Samaj believes that education of the masses is the only proper and effective
remedy for correcting such baneful habits, and fears that any compulsion in
this matter is likely to drive the consumers of these comparatively innocuous
drugs to the use of more injurious intoxicants that are plentifully supplied
to the people like the various preparations containing alcohol." The Samaj
prays that the Government will devise measures for the restriction of the sale of
European liquor in India, and leave the hemp drugs to themselves. The only
thorough advocate of prohibition whose opinion is worth specifying is Rao Sahib
Shesho Krisna Madkavi (41), who considers such prohibition very necessary, and
holds that, although there would be temporary discontent among the consumers,
such discontent would not amount to a political danger, "the people in this part
of the country being loyal and of mild nature, and the proportion of the persons
using bhang and ganja to the general population being too small to be taken
into consideration."

Opinions against prohibition.

583. On the other hand, the opinions against prohibition are weighty. The
following may be specially quoted:—

(1) Prohibition impossible or unnecessary, or could not be enforced without a
                                  large preventive establishment.

                                                  Bombay.

(1) Hon'ble T. D. Mackenzie, Commissioner of Abkari, etc.
(3) Mr. Vidal, Chief Secretary to Government.
(10) Mr. Monteath, Collector.
(12) Mr. Cumine, Acting Collector.
(53) Mr. Vincent, C.I.E., Officiating Commissioner of Police.
(110) Rai Bahadur Vishvanath Keshava Joglekar, Merchant.
(108) Daji Abaji Khare, Honorary Secretary, East Indian Association.

                                                    Sind.

(1) Mr. James, Commissioner in Sind.
(26) Seth Vishindas Nihalchand, Zamindar and Merchant.

(2) Prohibition would be strongly resented by religious mendicants, or would
be regarded as an interference with religion, or would be likely to
become a political danger.

                                                  Bombay.

(1) Hon'ble T. D. Mackenzie, Commissioner of Abkari, etc.
(2) Mr. Reid, Commissioner.

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