53
let you know if anything emerges from
the discussions which will be of
assistance to the Company
The immediate object of this
letter, however, is to let you know that
some of the Straits Settlements supplies
were arranged through the Agency of Mr.
M. A. Nemagie of Singapore. You are no
doubt familiar with the reputation of
various branches of the Nemagie family in
Persia and elsewhere in connection with
the illicit traffic in Persian opium,
large quantities of which find their way
to China.
The employment by a British
Colonial Government of a member of a
family with a reputation like this, was
obviously open to serious criticisms which
might be difficult to meet if they should
be brought forward at Geneva, particularly
in view of the prominent part taken by
the British Government not only by taking
steps itself but by endeavouring to
persuade