37
STRAIT3 SETTIZWE MT3.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
DOWNING SIGET.
24 Motober, 1926.
With reference to my despatch No. 576 of to-dayk
date on the subject of Clause 14 of the draft Ordinance
to omnemlidate and amend the Deleterious Drugs Ordinance, I have the hour to inform you that it has been repre- sented to me that by virtue of its pographical position
and its importance as one of the Chief ports of call and
trana-ship:ent for the Far East, Singapore occupies a
vory spacial position in relation to the illicit traffic
in drugs. Consiguents of drugs are constantly being brought into the Port onncealed in other curg. Having ragard therefore to the International obligations which "is Majesty'n Cowment has undertaken for the suppre- sion of the illicit traffic in opium and deleterinus
drugs and to the art scale on which the illicit traffic
ia still being carried on, it is very important that all reasonable measures should be taken in the Colony to
suppress the traffic.
2. It was accordingly sugested to me that owners
and Masters of vessele calling at Straits Settlements parts should be made guilty of an offence and liable to heavy fire in the event of contraband drugs being found an board; provided that it should be a sufficient de fe nue:
GOVERNOR.
3IR L. M. QUILLEMAND, K.C.B.,K.C.4.0.,
*0.
(A)