284 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XIV.
thus far that the latter
are not only much more extensively used, but much more
baleful in their effects. Two other missionaries, though neutral in
opinion, are worth
quoting. Rev. Mr. Pittendrigh, Missionary (160), says that
he would have ulti-
mate prohibition in view if possible, but there is not much ground
for special inter-
ference in anything that he has seen. Another Missionary, the
Rev. Mr. Goffin
(145), cannot undertake to criticise the present or any system
of excise
administration. His impression is that Government would be wise to
adopt a
strictly "let-alone" policy, leaving it to the spread of education
and enlightenment
among the people to prevent and lessen all its effects. The
province of Gov-
ernment should be carefully to watch such effects, and wherever and
whenever
necessary interfere with prohibitive legislation. Such necessity,
however, in his
opinion would not often occur.
Opinions against prohibition.
581. Among those who are
opposed to prohibition,
the evidence of the
following witnesses may be
quoted:—
(1) Prohibition
impossible or unnecessary, or could not be enforced without
a
large preventive
establishment.
(1) Hon'ble C. S. Crole, Member, Board of
Revenue.
(8) Mr. Willock, Collector.
(14) Mr. Bradley, Collector.
(19) Raja K. C. Manevedan,
Collector.
(23) Mr. Campbell,
Sub-Collector.
(30) Mr. Levy, Acting Deputy Collector, Salt
and Abkari.
(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.
(8) Mr. Willock,
Collector.
(10) Mr. Stokes, Collector.
(6) Mr. Sewell,
Collector.
(30) Mr. Levy, Acting Deputy Collector, Salt and
Abkari.
(94) Dr. Walker, Civil
Surgeon.
(95) Dr. Sarkies,
Civil Surgeon.
(38) Buddhavarapu Narayana
Murthi Pantalugaru, Assistant Collector.
(23) Mr. Campbell, Sub-Collector.
(121) H. S. A. M. Manju Miyyah Sahib, Medical
Practitioner.
(3) Prohibition
might lead to use of dhatura or other intoxicants worse
than
ganja.
(23) Mr. Campbell, Sub-Collector.
Bombay.
Opinions in favour of
prohibition
of ganja.
582. For the prohibition
of ganja or charas in Bombay and Sind, we
have the following
advocates: in Bombay two
mamlatdars, a hospital assistant, and a medical
practitioner; and in Sind a health officer, two hospital
assistants, and a
banker. There is not much that need be quoted from the evidence
of
these witnesses. It may be noted that the Hon'ble T. D. Mackenzie,
Com-
missioner of Abkari, etc. (1), holds that the policy of Government
in