229
PUBLIC RECORD
OFFICE
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C.O.882/12
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PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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5. As regards the Resolutions embodied in the Final Act of the Conference, it ia, unnecessary for me to comment on Resolution No. I; and as regards Resolution No. II, 'I presume that the whole of Hong Kong is so exposed to the illicit traffic that it is not possible to take any action in the direction indicated. Resolution III recom- mends the adoption of one or other of the registration systems indicated in the resolu tion. The constant flow of Chinese in and out of Hong Kong is no doubt a great difficulty in the way of the adoption of the first these systems, which is that already in operation in Malaya, but it should, in my opinion, be possible to adopt the second and simpler system, and I shall be glad if you will review the situation and consider what can be done on the lines of a system of recording purchases.
6. As regards Resolution No. IV, gratifying progress has already been made in Hong Kong on the lines suggested, and the development and extension of the work will no doubt receive the constant attention of your Government. Such development and extension afford perhaps the most important means at the present time of carrying into effect the policy to which His Majesty's Government are pledged by The Hague Convention and Geneva Agreement. You will no doubt issue instructions for the preparation of the Annual Account as suggested in Resolution No. V. I shall be glad to learn whether any amending legislation is necessary in Hong Kong to give effect to Resolution No. VI, the object of which is to ensure that adequate punishment shall be meted out to the organizers of the illicit traffic. I presume that all practical measures at present available are already being taken to obtain the return of dross (Resolution No. VII).
7. Resolution No. VIII is important. Exchange of information and views is more likely to be maintained and successful if it is made between officials who meet occasionally and keep in personal touch in the intervals between meetings. I shall be glad to learn if you can make any suggestions as to how practical effect should be given to this Resolution. I have suggested to the Governor of the Straits Settlements that he might take the lead in convening the first of the proposed Conferences.
$. Resolution No. IX deals with the cure of addicts, &c., and I shall be glad to hear in due course what steps you would propose to take to carry out the recom mendations in the resolution. Resolutions X and XI will be considered at the next meeting of the Opium Advisory Committee at Geneva.
C. 92871/32 [No. 19].
No. 33.
I have, &c..
STRAITS.SETTLEMENTS.
P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.
[Answered by No. 46.]
Downing Street, 16th April, 1932.
(No. 147.) SIR,
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you four copies of a letter from the Secretary- General of the League of Nations of the 6th of February (C.L. 16, 1932, XI),* twenty-nine copies of the Agreement and Final Act of the Bangkok Conference (C. 90, M. 36, 1932, XI),* six copies of the Declaration in regard to the Illicit Traffic in Opium (Conf. O.F.B. 35),* and four copies of the Report on the Bangkok Conferencet submitted by Sir M. Delevingne to the Foreign Office.
2. Malaya was represented at the Bangkok Conference, and you have, no doubt, already received full information as to its proceedings. In view of the full report which I now enclose from Sir M. Delevingne, it is unnecessary for me to comment at any length on the proceedings.
3. The Agreement signed at Bangkok will be ratified by His Majesty's Govern- ment in the United Kingdom, and I trust that, if in any Malay State the provisions laid down in the Agreement are not already operative, steps will be taken at the earliest possible date to pass the necessary legislation. There will then be no occasion to exclude any Malay State at the moment of ratification by His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom.
*Not printed here.
† No. 30.
57
4. The only Article in the Agreement to which I need invite your special attention is No. IV. That Article will allow of the supply of prepared opium from the Singapore factory to Hong Kong, and it appears desirable that such arrangements should be made as soon as convenient. The matter was dealt with in your despatch, No. 450 of 20th August, 1931.* and I understand that it was discussed by the Malayan and Hong Kong representatives at the Bangkok Conference. I shall be glad to learn in due course what decisions have been reached in the matter. At a later date it may also be possible to arrange to supply the State of North Borneo from the Singapore factory.
5. As regards the Resolutions embodied in the Final Act of the Conference, it is unnecessary for me to comment on Resolution No. I. you have already informed me that you propose to introduce the system of licensing As regards Resolution No. II and rationing at Christmas Island. I shall be glad if you will consider carefully whether the system could be introduced in other areas or States in Malaya where the illicit traffic is not serious. It must be remembered that experiments of this nature, even if they are not wholly successful, are valuable as evidence of the determination of the Far Eastern Governments to suppress opium smoking where the illicit traffic is not an insuperable obstacle.
6. Resolution No. III calls for no comment, as the registration system is already in force in Malaya. As regards Resolution No. IV. gratifying progress has already been made in Malaya on the lines suggested, and the development and extension of the work will no doubt receive the constant attention of your Government. Such develop- ment and extension afford perhaps the most important means at the present time of carrying into effect the policy to which His Majesty's Government are pledged by The Hague Convention and the Geneva Agreement. You will no doubt issue instruc- tions for the preparation of the Annual Account as suggested in Resolution No. V. It might be more satisfactory if a single account covering the whole of Malaya were prepared, instead of a number of separate accounts for the Colony, the Federated Malay States and for each Unfederated State. A single Annual Report covering the whole of Malaya might also be prepared for submission to the League of Nations.
7. I shall be glad to learn whether any amending legislation is necessary in Malaya to give effect to Resolution No. VI, the object of which is to ensure that adequate punishment shall be meted out to the organizers of the illicit traffic. I presume that all practicable measures at present available are already being taken in Malaya to obtain the return of dross (Resolution No. VII)
8. Resolution No. VIII is important. Exchange of information and views is more likely to be maintained and successful if it is made between officials who meet occasionally and keep in personal touch in the intervals between meetings. I shall be glad to learn if you can make any suggestions as to how practical effect should be given to this resolution. It might be desirable that Malaya should take the lead in convening the first of the proposed Conferences.
9. Resolution No. IX deals with the cure of addicts, &c., and I shall be glad to learn what steps you would propose to take to carry out the recommendations in the resolution. Resolutions X and XI will be considered at the next meeting of the Opium Advisory Committee at Geneva.
C, 92871/32 [No. 20].
SIB
(No. 41.)
No. 34.
BORNEO (SARAWAK).
I have, &c..
P. CUNLIFFE-LISTER
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE BRITISH AGENT. [Answered by No. 40.]
Downing Street, 16th April, 1932:
I HAVE the honour to enclose for transmission to the Sarawak Government two copies of a letter from the Secretary-General of the League of Nations of the 6th of February (C.L.16, 1932, XI),† two copies of the Agreement and Final Act of the Bangkok Conference (C.90, M.36, 1932. XI), † two copies of the Declaration în regard
*No. 276 in Eastern No. 155.
† Not printed here.
A