but before deciding the preliminary question whether the Farming system should be continued a Commission may possibly not.
The present Farm does not expire till March next, & in the ordinary course the tenders would not be called for till the end of the year. It would seem most unwise to anticipate that date, while the plague is still raging.
We might ask the Governor to report further by despatch meanwhile as the matter hardly presses for immediate settlement.
If we remind him that Ord. in Council is to be amended in respect of the two points referred to in par. 4 of despatch of 8 April 1892, before tenders for Farm are advertised.
I submit draft telegram 549. 15 June. Print attached? 6206/93. Further, Minute M. Jarrfield 10158. Red-marked at p.s. See also minute HKuy 404.
The Honourable will see by annexed Straits Settlements Gazette of 4th May 1894 that tenders have been invited for the Straits Opium Farm for one, two or three years from 1st Jan. next - tenders to be received up to the 31st instant.
Lord Ripon has deferred considering the Open question whether the Open Farm should be continued until the Royal Commission has reported.
It will now be too late in any case to begin any new system next year. I am to add that it is proposed to retain the existing maximum price for selling Opium as to which see par. 6 of despatch 2.67 of 8 April 1892, print attached to 6206/3, and the minute on that paper.
Page 4
I believe the risk of public disorder if the Farmer...