205
684
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TRELLICO. 882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
C. 63017/29 [No. 47].
SIR,
No. 177.
CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES to COLONIAL OFFICE.
4, Millbank, Westminster, London, SW.1, 10th April, 1929. I HAVE the honour to inform you that at the request of the Government of the Straits Settlements, Messrs. Hadji Ali Akbar and Sons, and Messrs. Bellairs, Atkinson and Co., were invited to tender for 150 chests of opium for delivery in the Colony not later than the 31st July, 1929.
2. Messrs. Hadji Ali Akbar and Sons Ltd., quoted £180 per chest of 140 lb. net, and this quotation being the lower, has been accepted by us on instructions from the Colonial Government.
3. In connexion with this contract I enclose a copy of a letter* received from Messrs. Bellairs, Atkinson and Co., in which they ask for our permission to make alternative offers and stating their reason for doing so. Messrs. Bellairs, Atkinson and Co., were informed that they were at liberty to submit alternative quotations, which they did, and these were telegraphed to the Colonial Government, together with the price tendered by Messrs. Hadji Ali Akbar and Sons Ltd.
C. 63017/29 [No. 49].
b
No. 178.
I have, &c.,
W. A. F. WICKHART
(for Crown Agents).
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 1 p.m., 15th April, 1929.) TELEGRAM.
CONFIDENTIAL. Your telegram of 28th January. Opium. Andrew Weir and Co., were informed tenders could only be accepted from principals. They expressed desire to tender as principals themselves, and as I could see no sufficient reason to refuse and widening of field of competition can hardly be to your disadvantage I have agreed to their being allowed to tender on same terms as other firms for future supplies, commencing with consignment for delivery in August.-AMERY.
C. 63017/29 [No. 54].
SIR,
No. 179.
CROWN AGENTS FOR THE COLONIES to COLONIAL OFFICE.
4, Millbank, Westminster, London, S.W.1, 2nd May, 1929.
I HAVE the honour to inform you that at the request of the Government of the Straits Settlements, tenders were issued for the supply of 150 chests of opium for delivery in the Colony not later than 31st August, 1929. Messrs. Hadji Ali Akbar and Sons, Messrs. Bellairs, Atkinson and Co., and Messrs. Andrew Weir and Co., submitted quotations, and the tender received from Messrs. Andrew Weir and Co.. who quoted £153 10s. per chest of 140 lb. net, being the lowest has been accepted by us on instructions from the Colonial Government.
I have, &c.,
F. G. BRADSTREET
(for Crown Agents).
́0. 63017/29 [No. 56].
No. 180.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
(Sent 6.45 p.m., 15th May, 1929.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 181.]
CONFIDENTIAL. Opium. I am informed by Bellairs Atkinson that they and Zieglers have been approached by Persian Government with suggestion that they should enter into regular contract direct with Government, under which the combined firms would take 1,500 to 2,000 chests before 20th March, 1930, paying export tax in advance and in return, apart from other advantages, the Government would guarantee a maximum basis rate for purchases not higher than that allowed to any other buyer. The firms are naturally disinclined to take so large a quantity without some guarantee of being able to resell it, and they inquire whether Straits Settlements Government would take 1,200 chests before March next. consider such a forward purchase at a very low price, to be agreed, they would either If you are prepared to (a) make firm offer for the whole quantity, or (b) act as buying agents for you on fixed commission, guaranteeing quality and weights.
As you have already contracted for supply up to end of August and are, no doubt, now arranging for deliveries in September, it would not, in any case, be possible to take 1,200 chests before March at present rate. If, however, you should desire to take advantage of this offer, it could no doubt be arranged for you to take a larger proportion in first few months of 1930 when question of the total amount of your purchases for that year comes up in the autumn.
I understand Persian Government have also tentatively approached other firms with a view to making regular contract and you will, no doubt, bear in mind the possibility that some such arrangement will in any case be made sooner or later, and that it may be to your advantage to get in early. There is also the desirability of getting the business in British hands if possible. On the hand the proposed arrange- ment would only be binding up to next March and might not be continued. Such an arrangement as proposed would be a step towards direct dealings with Persian Govern- ment which may ultimately be desirable but you may prefer not to take such a step pending the result of proposed discussions with the Dutch.
Atkinson, a partner in Bellairs, Atkinson and Co., is understood to be arriving
in Singapore on or about 12th May and you may wish to discuss with him. Telegraph what reply should be returned to Bellairs Atkinson.-AMERY.
C. 63017/29 [No. 62].
No. 181.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 12.10 p.m., 29th May, 1929.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 182.
29TH MAY. Confidential. Opium. Your telegram of 15th May. I should prefer to invite Hadji Ali Akbar, Bellairs Atkinson, and Andrew Weir to submit two tenders, each one for usual 150 chests delivery at Singapore in October and one for 1,200 chests delivery as convenient, but not more than half in 1929. Other con- ditions the same as at present. I am not in favour of negotiating with Bellairs Atkinson only or of appointing them as buying agents. Tenders should close on 20th July. If you concur please instruct the Crown Agents accordingly.
LOWS WE
* Not printed.
+ No. 172.
* No. 180.
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