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1.
ENCLOSURES.
311
Sir,
Enclosure No. 1.
Colonial Office to India Office.
(Immediate and Confidential.) No. 10,340.
Colonial Office, Downing Street,
23rd April 1903.
I am directed by Mr. Secretary Chamberlain to transmit to you, to be laid before Lord George Hamilton, two copies of a Report (with Minutes of Evidence and Appendices) submitted to him by a Committee appointed to consider the expedieney and practicability of introducing a gold standard of currency in the Straits Settlements and the Federated Malay States. A copy of a despatch which is being addressed to the Governor of the Colony is also enclosed.
2. Mr. Chamberlain would be much obliged if the Government of India could undertake the coinage of the new Straits Settlements dollar, in the event of a decision being finally taken to adopt the Committee's recommendations. I am to request that you will more His Lordship to ascertain as soon as possible whether the Indian Government could undertake it, and if so on what terms (a) in the case of recoining British and Mexican dollars into the new Straits coin, and (b) in the case of coining silver bullion for the purposes of the new coinage; and at what speed they would be able to supply the coins.
3. It would be convenient if the Government of India would inform the Governor of the Straits Settlements direct of the nature of the replies which they are returning to these enquiries.
4. I am to add that the enclosed Report should be kept confidential until the Governor of the Colony has had an opportunity of considering it and of deciding the date on which it should be made public.
The Under Secretary of State for India.
I am, &c.,
C. P. LUCAS.
Annex 1.
Sir,
Colonial Office to Governor, Straits Settlements. (Confidential.)
Colonial Office, Downing Street, 23rd April 1903.
I have the honour to transmit to you 20 copies of the Report, Minutes of Evidence, and Appendices laid before me by the Committee which I appointed to consider the expediency and practicability of introducing gold standard of currency in the Straits Settlements and the neighbouring Malay States.
Committee are
contained in
2. The recommendations of the paragraph 50 and in paragraph 57 and following paragraphs of their Report. If after considering the Report, in consultation with your advisers, you are of opinion that a gold standard should be introduced and that the method recommended should be adopted, I am prepared to sanction its adoption.
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