7
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the British Empire; and information regarding these regulations is being collected and will be communicated to the Dutch Government in accordance with Act 21 of the As regards India, it is under- Convention, so soon as the Convention comes into force.
stood that substantial effect has been given to the provisions of The Hague Convention, The Government of India have been asked to examine the whole body of law and procedure and make such alterations and amendments as may be necessary to bring it. into precise agreement with the provisions of the Convention.
Action taken by the Postal Union Convention.
With reference to the Protocol of the 1912 Opium Convention, and the desire therein expressed that the Universal Postal Union should take steps to regulate the transmission of opium and kindred drugs through the post, it may be noted that under the terms of the present Postal Union Convention it is forbidden to send by post any article whatsoever of which the importation or circulation is prohibited by the country of destination. Many postal administrations, including the Chinese, prohibit or restrict under regulation the importation by post of opium and kindred drugs. This question is not noted for discussion in the agenda of the International Postal Congress at Madrid this
year, but it was understood that it might be raised by the delegates of the United States of America.
Action taken by His Majesty's Foreign Office.
Lord Curzon, in his circular-despatch of 22nd March, 1920, drew the attention of His Majesty's representatives abroad to the obligations incurred under the Opium Convention. His Lordship went on to state, "There is reason to believe that, in spite of the efforts of His Majesty's Government and of the other Governments concerned, morphia produced in the United Kingdom is at present reaching the Far East in quantities largely in excess of the amount required for legitimate purposes, and His Majesty's Government are therefore of opinion that it is desirable that steps should be taken forthwith to regulate the export to all countries, whether their Government、 are parties to the Opium Convention or not, of the drugs specified in chapter 3 of the Convention*. An arrangement has been made by His Majesty's Government with the United States, French and Japanese Governments, whereby no consignment of morphia or kindred drugs is allowed to be exported from the United Kingdom to any of the countries in question, except on production of a certificate from the Government concerned, stating that it is satisfied that the consignment is required exclusively for legitimate medical or scientific purposes, and will not be re-exported."
His Majesty's representatives were instructed that it was desired to extend this system as widely as possible, and that the various Governments were to be approachel with a view to ascertaining whether they would be prepared to enter into a similar arrangement with His Majesty's Government, without prejudice to any legislation of a stricter nature which they might introduce at a later date, in regard to their impuis from the United Kingdom of medicinal opium and other deleterious drugs. At the same time they were warned that in the event of any country being unwilling to adopt this proposal, His Majesty's Government might be obliged to refuse licences.
Replies to this circular have been received from thirteen countries, and, althougi. they raise a variety of different points which are now being dealt with, they are all favourable in character.
The question of the adoption of similar arrangements by other parts of the British Empire has been recently submitted to the Governments and administrative authorities concerned for their consideration.
Suggestions for the British Representatives at the League of Nations Assembly.
It is understood that the Assembly of the League will be invited to consider (1) the position of the Dutch Government under the Convention of 1912, having regard to the provisions in article 23 (c) of the Treaty of Versailles referred to above; (2) the nature of the arrangements to be made by the League for exercising the general supervision entrusted to it by that article over the execution by the various countries of the provisions of the Convention. As regards (1), it would seem desirable, in order to prevent the overlapping and inconvenience that would result from two authorities dealing with the same matter, that the Dutch Government, which is now a member of
• The drugs therein enumerated are to all effects identical with those given in the footnote to the paragraph
on the Dangerous Drugs Act (see p. 5).
the League, should resign to the League the duties placed upon it by the Convention. As regards (2), it is for consideration whether a small commission should not be established, representative of the members of the League chiefly interested, with power to assist the Council of the League in exercising the supervision over the execution of the Convention, and to convene when necessary, and subject to the consent of the Council, a general Conference of the members for the consideration of any questions of importance.
It is of great importance that the supervisory powers of the League should be effectively exercised. The illegitimate traffic in these drugs, which has attained *enormous proportions especially in the Far East, can only be effectively suppressed by securing full co-operation on the part of all the chief countries which produce, distribute and import the drugs, and a strong representative Commission of the members mainly concerned, acting under the Council and in co-operation with the secretariat, may be considered the best means for attaining this end. The British representatives will, however, no doubt use their discretion in putting this suggestion forward as the ordinary methods at the disposal of the League may be deemed adequate.
Finally, in view of article 18 of the Convention providing for the registration of treaties and international engagements with the League, and article 23 (c) entrusting the League with the general supervision over the execution of agreements relating to the traffic in drugs, the British representatives will possibly consider whether or not it is desirable to make some notification at this stage of the special arrangements described under action taken by His Majesty's Foreign Office. The Foreign Office propose to take the necessary steps in due course for the registration of the arrange- inents concluded with the League Secretariat.
Foreign Office,
November 8, 1920.
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