3
2. I have now the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Convention and "Protocole de Clôture" which was signed on the 23rd of January.* His Majesty's Government considers it of great importance that the Governments of all His Majesty's Dominions, Possessions, and Protectorates should be bound by the Convention, since any abstentions might imperil its success; and therefore, unless you have very strong objections to urge, I trust that you will inform me at an early date that your Government is prepared to agree to the Convention being signed on its behalf.
3. You will doubtless consider what steps it will be necessary to take in order to render effective the measures decided upon in the Convention.
2388
SIR,
No. 3.
I have, &c..
L. HARCOURT.
COLONIAL OFFICE to BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY. [Answered by No. 26.]
Downing Street, 7 March, 1912. I AM directed by Mr. Secretary Harcourt to transmit to you, for the informa- tion of the Court of Directors of the British North Borneo Company, the accom- panying copies of the Convention and Protocole de Clôture* signed by the Delegates of the Powers represented at the recent International Opium Conference.
2. Mr. Harcourt desires me to state that His Majesty's Government regard it as of great importance that the State of North Borneo should be bound by the terms of the Convention, since abstention might seriously imperil the objects
aimed at
2388
SIR,
No. 5.
MALAY STATES.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE HIGH COMMISSIONER.
(No. 88.)
[Answered by No. 62.]
Downing Street, 8 March, 1912. In my Straits Settlements despatch, No. 58, of this date,* I transmitted to you a copy of the Convention signed by the Delegates of the Powers represented at the recent International Opium Conference.
2. Although the British Delegates signed on behalf of the Colony, they were not, and indeed could not be, authorised to sign on behalf of the Malay States under British protection. But it appears to me that, in order to give effect to the measures aimed at, it will be necessary that the consent of the Malay States should be obtained to the signature of the Convention on their behalf.
3. I have accordingly to request that you will endeavour as soon as possible to obtain the consent of the Rulers of the Federated Malay States, Kedah, Perlis, Kelantan, Trengganu, and Johore; and will also, as British Agent for Sarawak, invite His Highness the Rajah to agree to signature on behalf of that State. I am in communication with the British North Borneo Company as regards the State of North Borneo.
4. On receipt of the acceptance of the Rulers you will no doubt consider what further steps are necessary to carry the Convention into effect.
9904
In that
3. I am therefore to express the hope that the Court of Directors will agree at an early date to the Convention being signed on behalf of the State. event Mr. Harcourt would be glad if the Court would consider what steps it will be necessary to take in order to give effect to the Convention.
I am, &c.,
G. V. FIDDES.
No. 6.
I have, &c.,
L. HARCOURT.
2388
SIR,
No. 4.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNORS. [Austrered by Nos. 15, 21, 142 and 159.]
(Ceylon. No. 98.) (Straits Settlements. No. 58.)
(Hong Kong No. 61.) (Weihaiwei. No. 5.)
Downing Street, 8 March, 1912.
I HAVE the honour to transmit to you the accompanying copies of the Con- vention and Protocole de Clôture* which were signed at the Hague on the 23rd of January by the delegates of the Powers represented at the recent International Opium Conference.
2. As you will be aware][To Weihniwei: observe] the British delegates signed the Convention on behalf of the [Colony][To Weihaiwei: Territory] under your ad- ministration, and it will therefore be binding upon your Government if, and when, ratified by His Majesty.
3. With reference to Article VII., I may explain that the British delegates recorded their vote in favour of the Article under the reservation that no inter- ference would be caused thereby in the arrangements in the Malay Peninsula and elsewhere in the British Empire for the preparation and distribution of opium, which are clearly matters of internal administration and not of international com-
merce.
4. I shall be glad if you will consider what further steps it may be necessary to take in order to give effect to the Convention, more especially Articles 3, 6, 7, and
9-14.
I have, &c..
L. HARCOURT.
(No. 53.)
SIR,
GIBRALTAR.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.
(Received April 1, 1912.)
[Answered by No. 75.]
Gibraltar, 22nd March, 1912.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular despatch of the 7th instant,† forwarding copies of the International Opium Convention signed at the Hague on the 23rd January, 1912.
in
2. I am advised that in order to render effective the measures decided upon the Convention legislation will be necessary, and as Gibraltar is, on the point of the non-production of opium, in the same category as the United Kingdom, I propose to await the legislation of the United Kingdom on the point, and then, in so far as suitable to local circumstances, model our legislation upon that.
9938
I have, &c.,
ARCHIBALD HUNTER,
No. 7.
General and Governor.
MALTA.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received April 1, 1912.)
[Answered by No. 75.]
The Palace, Valletta, 25 March, 1912.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Circular despatch of
(No. 50.)
SIR,
[Cd. 6038], February, 1912.
33541
• No. 4.
† No. 2.
A 2
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
C.O. 885
22 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
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