No. 208, 15 Sept.
9 Det.
1 Oct.
36997
No. 59.
(CYPRUS.)
SIR,
LAW OFFICERS to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Royal Courts of Justice, November 12, 1900. We were honoured with your commands, signified to us in Mr. Bertram Cox's letter of the 7th instant, stating that he was directed to request our consideration of a question which had arisen as to the surrender in Cyprus of deserters from foreign merchant vessels.
That Mr. Bertram Cox was to transmit to us a despatch from the High Commis- sioner of Cyprus, pointing out the difficulty which at present existed, and asking whether a law might be passed by the local Legislature to provide for the surrender of deserters, together with a copy of a letter from the Colonial Office to the Foreign Office proposing that steps should be taken in the matter only if an assurance could That Mr. Bertram Cox be obtained of reciprocal treatment by foreign countries. was also to enclose the reply received from the Foreign Office suggesting that any local law should state in terms that it was only applicable in cases where reciprocity was accorded, but at the same time expressing a doubt whether, in view of the Law Offi- cers' report of the 21st of March, 1879,* it was competent for the Cyprus Legislature to pass such a law.
That you were disposed to think that, in view of the fact that a law of the nature suggested by the Foreign Office would not apparently operate, or purport to operate, outside the island, such a law would be within the competence of the local Legislature; but, in view of the doubt entertained by the Foreign Office, Mr. Bertram Cox was to request that we would advise you :-
1. Whether it was competent for the Cyprus Legislature to pass a law authorising the surrender of deserters from merchant vessels of other countries in all cases where the other country concerned permitted the surrender of deserters from merchant ves- sels owned by Cypriots and registered in Cyprus.
2. Generally.
In obedience to your commands, we have the honour to
Report-
1. That we are of opinion that it is competent for the Cyprian Legislature to pass
such a law as is suggested.
Any such law should provide for the delivery up of such deserters within the confines of the island only.
2. We have nothing further to add.
The Right Honourable Joseph Chamberlain, M.P.,
We have, &c.,
R. B. FINLAY. EDWARD CARSON.
&c., &c., &c.
No. 196A in Vol. III.
7192-25-11;1900 Wt 324 D&S
5
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
༄། ། ། ། ། ། minim...im C.O. 885
15 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
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