V
and that re-export will not be permitted except to another Dominion, Colony or Protectorate, upon the production of a certificate, issued under the authority of the Government of the territory to which re-export is desired, that the drugs to be imported are to be used exclusively for legitimate scientific and medicinal purposes and will not again be re-exported. The question of inviting the Dominion Governments to consider the desirability of arrangements, similar to those with regard to exportation from the United Kingdom to foreign countries, being made with regard to exportation from their own territories to foreign countries is receiving attention.
(b.) The Colonies and Protectorates are being informed that, as from the 1st June next, export from the United Kingdom will only be permitted upon production of certificates in the form set out under (a) above.
16. An arrangement already exists between the United Kingdom and Canada by which certificates are issued under the authority of the Dominion Government to the effect that the drugs to be imported into Canada are to be used exclusively for scientific and medicinal purposes, and will not be re-exported.
VII. NOTIFICATION TO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
17. In accordance with Article 18 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, it is necessary to register the arrangements concluded with foreign Governments with the League Secretariat, and on receipt of the replies of the Government concerned, as contemplated in paragraph 8 of this despatch, His Majesty's Government will take immediate steps to communicate to the Secretariat of the League the various agreements entered into with a view to their registration in due form,
VIII-SPECIAL POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS A MANUFACTURING COUNTRY IN REGARD TO THE EXPORT OF LEGITIMATE MEDICINAL PREPARATIONS MADE WITH MATERIALS IMPORTED FROM THE UNITED KINGDOM.
18. A difficulty has arisen in the United States owing to the practical impos- sibility of distinguishing between manufactured articles in which imported British and purely American materials have been used.
19. It is under discussion whether or not a concession should be made in the case of manufacturing countries if an efficient control is exercised over their exports by their domestic legislation, and if the same principles as have been adopted by His Majesty's Government are applied, viz., that export will only be allowed where it can be shown that it is for legitimate medical and scientific purposes. In such cases it is possible that His Majesty's Government may feel justified in waiving or modifying the re-export clause for drugs consigned direct to manufacturing chemists and certified to be required for manufacturing purposes.
IX. MEETING OF THE ASSEMBLY OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.
20. A copy is attached of a memorandum prepared for the use of the British representatives at the Meeting of the Assembly of the League of Nations at Geneva last autumn, recording the history of the progressive control of the drug traffic and stating the present position as affected by the action taken by His Majesty's Govern- ment since their signature of the Opium Convention of 1912.*
21. At this meeting it was decided that an Advisory Committee should be appointed which will consider the whole question of the arrangements for inter- national co-operation in regard to the control of the drug traffic.
• Confidential Print: Opium." November 8, 1920, Section 1.
22. The resolution adopted by the Assembly was as follows:-
That. having regard to the duty placed on the League by Article 23 of the Covenant to supervise the execution of arrangements with regard to the traffic in opium and other dangerous drugs, the Assembly concurs with the Netherlands Government in its view that it will be preferable for the League to undertake the duties placed upon the Netherlands Government by the Opium Convention with regard to the collection of data and dealing with disputes;
That, for this purpose and for the purpose of enabling the League to exercise its general supervision over the execution of arrangements with regard to this traffic, the Secretariat of the League is entrusted with the duty of collecting information as to the arrangements made in the various countries for carrying out the Opium Convention, the production, distribution and consump- tion of the drugs and other necessary data;
44
That, in order to secure the fullest possible co-operation between the various countries in regard to the matter, and to assist and advise the Council in dealing with any questions that may arise, an Advisory Committee be appointed by the Council, which shall include representatives of the countries chiefly concerned, in particular, Holland, Great Britain, France, India, Japan, China, Siam, Portugal, and shall, subject to the general directions of the Council, meet at such times as may be found desirable;
++
That, in view of the importance of the co-operation of States which have ratified or may hereafter ratify the Opium Convention, but which are not yet members of the League, the Netherlands Government be requested to invite their concurrence and co-operation in the arrangements indicated above; and that in the event of such concurrence being given, the Council be authorised to add to the Advisory Committee, in the capacity of member or assessor, a representative any such country which is specially concerned in the traffic, and that a special invitation be addressed to the United States of America;
of
"That the Council be authorised, if and when they think it necessary, to add as assessors to the committee not more than three persons, not representatives of Governments, having special knowledge of the question; and that the travel- ling expenses and allowances of such members shall be paid out of the funds of the League;
That the Advisory Committee shall, three months before the beginning of every session of the Assembly, present to the Council, for submission to the Assembly, a report on all matters regarding the execution of agreements with regard to the traffic in opium and other dangerous drugs;
"That the Assembly welcomes the action of the Netherlands Government
in endeavouring to secure the signature and ratification of the Opium Convention by countries which have not yet done so, and invites it to inform the Secretariat of the League of the results of its action."
I am,
with great
truth' Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant, CURZON OF KEDLESTON.
376