LS/VRH
5998/1929.c.
CONFIDENTIAL.
Sir,
Enclosure No.
25
COFY
11th December. 1929.
I am directed to inform you that copies of correspondence between His Britannic Majesty's Minister at Peking, His Britannic Majesty's Consul-General at Shanghai
and various shipping companies at the latter port on the
subject of the smuggling of opium and s alt on British ships have
been received by this Government. The point is made that, unless
effective steps are taken by shipping companies to prevent the conveyance of contraband on such a large scale as has been disclosed in certain recent cases, His Lajesty's Goverment will
find it difficult to maintain the immunity now enjoyed by
British ships from search except at the hands of Maritime Customs
and to withstand the claims of various preventative services
maintained by local authorities to search such ships and even to
inflict fines in the case of the discovery of contraband.
I am therefore to request that you will give this
matter your earliest and most serious attention and favour me
as early as possible with your opinion as to the possibility of
taking steps to reduce the evil of smuggling on British ships
in Chinese territory to such a degree as to justify insistence
upon the immunity at present enjoyed.
I am to request that this matter be treated as
confidential.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
(Sga) N.L. SITH
Jardine Mathieson & Co.Ltd.
The Hon. Mr.B.D.F. Beith.
HONG KUG.
Also to
p. Colonial Secretary.
.T.A...Shaw,Butterfield & wire, The Manager H.K. Canton & Maca Steamship Co., The Manager Douglas S.5 Co.,