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against interference while in their custody, and further safeguards might be imposed.
As to sugar in transit not landed in the Colony there would be little difficulty in placing a guard of Police on board the vessel containing it as long as she was in the waters of the Colony, while the unloading and loading of sugar in transit could likewise be supervised by the Police.
6.
A relaxation of the absolute prohibition on the importation of sugar from bounty-giving countries to allow such sugar passing through the Colony in transit is, as I have stated, not provided for in the Ordinance. If, however, you consider that, combined with the certificates of origin which, in accordance with the regulations now to be enacted under the Ordinance, would be issued by the Superintendent of Imports and Exports, the arrangements set forth in paragraph 5 of this Despatch would properly fulfil the obligations imposed on the Colony by the Brussels Convention then I suggest that you should instruct me to amend the Ordinance so as to provide for bounty-fed sugar passing through the Colony in transit under proper safeguards to be set out in regulations made by the Governor in Council in that behalf. This would make the Ordinance much more acceptable in the Colony which from its special position as a free port is naturally nervous of limitations to its trade.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient humble servant.
Mr. Fathan
Governor, &c.
3
MoD