314 REPORT OF THE INDIAN HEMP DRUGS COMMISSION, 1893-94. [CH. XVI.
evidence as to extensive smuggling was mentioned as obviating the necessity
for the measure. In 1892 the Board were of opinion that the objections to
public golas appeared to be insuperable.
Mr. Lyall in his evidence says
that the storage arrangements can be improved, but that under existing circum-
stances it would be impossible without enormous expenditure to have a public
gola. Mr. Gupta, Excise Commissioner, says that the "difficulty of having a pub-
lic warehouse is that the ganja stored in it would consist of numerous parcels, all
belonging to different individuals, and this would lead to much confusion.
Again, the drug has to be frequently aired, turned out, and handled in order to
keep it in good condition, and it is next to impossible to secure this periodical
examination when the ganja is stored in public golas situated at a distance
from the houses of the cultivators." He therefore considers the scheme "im-
practicable," on which Mr. Lyall notes: "Rather, I would say, too costly."
Mr.
Price, Collector of Rajshahi, does not recommend public golas because Govern-
ment servants would not take care of the ganja as the owners would. But he does
not think there would be any great difficulty if there were several Government
golas situated in central places, though he does not think the cultivators would
view the change with favour. He concludes by saying that he sees no great
objection to the plan; and adds: "You cannot have a perfect system without
Government golas." Babu Hem Chunder Kerr retains his former opinion in
favour of the system, which is also advocated by Ganendra Nath Pal, Sub-divisional
Officer, Naogaon, and Abhilas Chandra Mukharji, Excise Inspector. The Com-
mission have formed the opinion that the objections are not insuperable, and
that the system of Government storehouses should be introduced. The example
of the Central Provinces system seems to prove its practicability, and they are
of opinion that it would have the effect of bringing about the speedy conclusion
of bargains between the cultivator and the wholesale dealer, in which case the
main difficulty would be removed. The expense of erecting several godowns
should not, in their opinion, operate to prevent the measure considering the very
large revenue at stake and the great desirability of removing the existing tempta-
tions to illicit dealing. The matter should, however, be left to the discretion of
the Local Government.
Smuggling in Orissa.
644. The smuggling of ganja from the Tributary States of Orissa into British
territory has a long history, and more properly
belongs to the general subject of excise administra-
tion in Native States, which will be dealt with further on.
Reduction of all ganja to chur.
645. The proposal of the Excise Commissioner to abolish flat and round
ganja and have only chur is one that deserves notice.
He explains rather more clearly in his evidence
that what he advocates is not the compulsory production of chur, but the
adoption of the chur rate of duty which is the highest for all ganja, which
would result in the elimination of stick from the produce, and consequent
reduction of the whole stock to chur. There are obvious advantages in having
one rate of duty, but other considerations enter into this subject, such as the
question as to the form in which the drug can best be packed and transported
without deterioration. The experiments which are being conducted in connec-
tion with this question are still incomplete. The Commission feel that the
matter is one for the Local Government to decide. It is mentioned here because