693
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TPIC.O.882/11
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
222
money. If the Soviet Government were interested financially it might be taken that this was not solely for commercial reasons and that they would use their interests for political purposes.
SIR MALCOLM DELEVINGNE drew attention to the recent despatch from Singapore which showed a great decrease in the consumption of opium. If consumption remained as it was, the Straits Settlements would be able to carry on with their Indian supplies alone.
SIR CECIL CLEMENTI thought consumption would continue at the lower level and said that the decrease in consumption was not only due to the trade depression but also to smuggling of Persian opium. (SIE MALCOLM DELEVINGNE pointed out that this was a new development as hitherto the information given by the Straits Settle- ments had been to the effect that nearly all the opium smuggled was Chinese.)
MR. FARRER then outlined the history of events in so far as Messrs. Ziegler and Bellairs Atkinson were concerned. Just before the concession of the monopoly to Hadji Amin the Persian Legation in London approached Messrs. Gardiner, a firm of Metal Brokers, with a view to their taking up the export monopoly. Mr. Farrer's, suggestion Messrs. Gardiner had approached Messrs. Ziegler and Bellairs At his, Atkinson with whom they had agreed to negotiate with the Persian Government for the monopoly of export for the legitimate traffic. The grant of the monopoly to Hadji Amin, however, had brought matters to a standstill. made these advances in London whilst the Persian Government was itself about to That the Legation should have concede the monopoly to Hadji Amin was typical of Persian methods.
SIB CECIL CLEMENTI thought that in all the circumstances, the only policy for the Straits Settlements Government to pursue for the time being was to hold aloof; they were not in any immediate need of further supplies. that the recent call for tenders by the Siamese Government had resulted in all the MR. PERRINS explained firms concerned, with the exception of Hadji Ali Akbar, refusing to tender on the ground that opium could only be obtained from the monopolist. had tendered, at an unremunerative price, for 500 chests because he was able, so Hadji Ali Akbar he stated, to lay his hands on 500 chests which lay in the Free Port of Hamburg. Sir Cecil said that the Straits Settlements policy was dictated solely by the desire to get opium cheaply and with this in view had not we better wait and see? He pointed out that, if the Far Eastern Commission recommended a reduction in price, which he understood was very probable, and if the price was accordingly reduced, there would be an increased demand, in which case the Straits Settlements would require more opium.
44
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MR. MARTIN asked whether the Far Eastern Governments could not form a buying ring.' A discussion ensued on this question and also as to the possibility of and the advantages to be gained by appointing a buying agent in Persia. course of this discussion SIR CECIL CLEMENTI said that if there was any chance of In the success, he was quite prepared to join with the Netherlands East Indies and other Governments in the joint purchase of opium. matter with the Governor-General of the Netherlands East Indies and the Governor- He was prepared to talk over the General of French Indo-China.
On the question of what firms should be permitted to tender SIR MALCOLM DELEVINGNE said that he thought it very unsatisfactory that supplies of opium should be obtained from such firms as Nazarooni, &c. that only firms which were unconnected with the illicit traffic should be permitted SIR CECIL CLEMENTI quite agreed to tender.
In answer to a question by Sir Malcolm Delevingne, SIR CECIL CLEMENTI ex- plained that the insistence by the Straits Settlements Government on purchase by tender was due to the attitude adopted by the unofficial members of the Legislature on all such matters.
It was generally agreed that in view of the present uncertain position in Persia, and of the fact that the Straits Settlements was in no immediate need of opium, matters should be left until more was known of the likelihood of success or otherwise attending the export monopoly granted to Hadji Amin. In this connexion SIR Cecil. Clement! explained that he would be in England until May and it was therefore decided to adjourn the discussion till some time in the New Year before his departure
C. 73017/30 [No. 66].
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No. 201
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE
(Secret.)
GOVERNMENT.
SIR,
WITH reference to your despatch of the 17th October, regarding opium
Downing Street, 8th January, 1931. suplies, I have the honour to transmit copies of memorandat received from His Majesty's Representative at Teheran reporting on the grant of a monopoly of the export trade in Persian opium to the firm of Haji Amin.
2. The question of the supply of Persian opium to the Straits Settlements has been discussed with Sir Cecil Clementi. It was agreed that, in view of the uncertain position in Persia and of the fact that the Straits Settlements are in no immediate need of further supplies, no tenders should be invited for the present. The situation will, however, be once more reviewed before Sir Cecil Clementi's departure from this country.
C. 73017/30 [No. 70].
No. 202.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
I have, &c.,
PASSFIELD.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE
(Paraphrase.)
GOVERNMENT.
(Sent 5 p.m., 1st April, 1931.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 203.]
No. 51. SECRET. My Secret despatch of 8th January. Supplies of opium. Further conference between representatives of Colonial Office, Home Office, Foreign Office, and Department Overseas Trade was held to-day which Clementi attended.
In view of disclosures regarding very large scale illicit traffic by group which holds Persian opium export concession, it was agreed that pressure ought to be brought to bear on Government of Persia to eliminate undesirable elements from among holders of the monopoly. With a view to this it is suggested that the Malayan Governments should place forthwith through the Crown Agents an order for experimental purchase of Turkish opium provided it is possible to obtain favourable tenders. It is hoped that this would make Persian Government more amenable to wishes of His Majesty's Government. From reliable information it appears that Turkish market is at present time specially favourable. Clementi to whom situation has been explained in detail, fully agrees and recommends purchase of Turkish opium at an early date.
Do you agree that Crown Agents should call for tender for substantial number of chests and if so, what number? You will be consulted again before order is placed.— PASSFIELD.
* No. 199.
† C. 73017/30 [Nos. 23 and 24]: not printed.
‡ No. 201.
سم
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No. 203.