501
18
[To Straits Settlements: 3. It would be convenient for the statistics relating to the individual Unfederated Malay States to be shown separately. I should also be glad request the Government of Sarawak to furnish similar information for that will
if you
State.
4. The British Representative on the League of Nations Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium has drawn my particular attention to the high rate of consumption per caput in the Straits Settlements and North Borneo and he fears that this will be very difficult to defend. This matter should therefore receive your special attention in connexion with your examination of the measures suggested by the Advisory Com- mittee for the more effective application of Chapter II of the International Opium Con- vention. I am also addressing the British North Borneo Company direct on this point.]
I have, &c.,
DEVONSHIRE.
19
three officials, three unofficials, two of the latter Chinese. Report unanimous. Recom mends that the Government takes over all retail sales. Gives reasons with which 1 agree against immediate adoption of combined measures of registration and licensing but sets out initial steps leading thereto. Recommends careful handling of opium dross question, appointment of permanent Advisory Committee for Malaya to super- vise all steps taken locally. I myself am doubtful whether it will ever be possible to introduce measures of registration and licensing with any prospect of success but feel that in view of the constitution of the Committee and its unanimity I must adopt the report. In view of much of the ignorance of local discussion propose publishing the report at once. Please signify approval by telegram.
10734/24.
J
51791/23.
No. 14.
COLONIAL OFFICE to BRITISH NORTH BORNEO COMPANY,
Downing Street, 23rd November, 1923. SIR,
WITH reference to your letter of the 19th of October,* regarding the arrange- ments for the proposed conference of Powers having Far Eastern Possessions, to con- sider the adoption of measures for the more effective application of Chapter II of the international Opium Convention, I am directed by the Duke of Devonshire to request you to inform the Court of Directors that the attention of His Grace has been drawn to the table which is printed on page 177 of the Minutes of the Fifth Session of the League of Nations Advisory Committee on Traffic in Opium (copies of which were sent to you with the letter of the 27th of Septembert from this Department).
Discussion of comparative statistics of the consumption of chandu in the Far Eastern Territories of the various Powers will no doubt be a cardinal feature of the deliberations of the proposed International Conference, and it is important that the British Delegation should be in possession of accurate figures. As His Grace is informed that this table contains certain inaccuracies, His Grace would be glad if the Court would cause the figures relating to North Borneo to be checked and brought up-to-date. It would be convenient if the British Delegation could be supplied with similar information for (say) 10 years, including the year 1923, showing for each year the numbers (estimated where necessary) both of the total Chinese population, and of adult " the adult male Chinese population. In order that there may be no doubt as to the comparability of the statistics furnished by the various British territories, should be taken to mean "of 21 years of age and over."
"
The British Representative on the League of Nations Advisory Committee has dirawn His Grace's particular attention to the high rate of consumption per caput in North Borneo, and he fears that this will be very difficult to defend. His Grace there- fore trusts that this matter will receive the special attention of the Court in connexion with their examination of the measures suggested by the Advisory Committee for the more effective application of Chapter II of the Convention.
I am, &c..
G. GRINDLE
No. 16.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR. (Sent 3.25 p.m., 10th March, 1924.) TELEGRAM.
Youn telegram of 25th February.* His Majesty's Government would prefer
to defer publication of Opium Report until simliar reports from Hong Kong, North Borneo, and Sarawak received and considered policy to be adopted at International Conference formulated.
Conference will be held first Monday in November. Inform Sarawak.— DEVONSHIRE.
16070/24.
SIR,
No. 17.
SARAWAK GOVERNMENT OFFICES to COLONIAL OFFICE.
Milbank House, Westminster, S.W.1, 3rd April, 1924. WITH reference to a despatch dated 10th December, 1923, (paragraph 9), addressed by His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak to His Excellency the British Agent for Sarawak and North Borneo in Singapore, on the subject of opium control in Sarawak, I have the honour to inform you that His Highness the Tuan Muda of Sarawak has been appointed to represent Sarawak at the proposed Conference which is to be held this year.
A copy of this despatch, outlining the various measures now being taken in Sarawak to control more closely the sale and consumption of opium in that country, has been left with Mr. Paskin at the Colonial Office, as it appeared that through an oversight no copy had been forwarded to you by the Government in Singapore.
I have, &c.,
J. C. MOULTON,
Chief Secretary.
9282/24.
No. 15.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 4.25 p.m., 25th February, 1924.) TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 16.]
25TH FEBRUARY. Report of Opium Committee appointed under instructions of your Confidential despatch of 24th September, 1923,‡ received.
*51075/23: not printed.
† No. 10.
Committee of
‡ No. 9.
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
TR
Reference:
C.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
[4340/23/24.]
SIR,
Annexure to No. 17.
The Astana, 10th December, 1923.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency's Confidential letter dated 30th November, 1923, forwarding three copies of the Report to the Council of the League of Nations on the work of the Fifth Session of the Advisory Committee for Traffic in Opium, together with copies of the Minutes of the Session.
2. Under the present lease granted to the Sarawak Opium Farms Syndicate this Government has the right to terminate the lease at six months' notice. The financial year of the Farms Syndicate ends on the 30th June. Instructions will therefore be issued to inform the Syndicate on the 1st January, 1924, of the Government's intention to terminate the lease at the end of six months from that date.
* No. 15.