CO882-(8-9) — Page 214

193

GENTLEMEN,

12

Messrs JOHN AIRD & Co to CROWN AGENTS.

22. Queen Anne's Gate, S. W., & May, 1908. ADVERTING to the interview which we had with you the 6th instant with reference to our receiving such portion of the certificates for amounts due for work executed at the Tanjong Pagar Dock Works as may be desired by us, by payment to our agent at Singapore in currency instead of the whole amount being paid to us in sterling in London, we beg to thank you for your kindness in bringing the matter before us, and think there should be no difficulty in this being arranged, and, as mentioned by you, to the mutual advantage of the Government and our- selves.

We suggest that the saving effected by being able to avoid remitting through the banks should be equally divided, and that the expense of telegraphic communica- tion in connection with the transactions should also be borne equally.

Should we desire to remit money at times other than those when receiving payment for certificates, we understand that the suggested arrangements would apply to these remittances also

We beg to remain, &c.,

19567

(No. 197.)

MY LORD,

No. 254.

JOHN AIRD & Co.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 30 May, 1908.)

Government House, Singapore, 7 May, 1908. WITH reference to the recent demonetization of Straits, dollars in Sumatra, I have the honour to report that the influx of such returned dollars may now be considered practically at an end.

2. Ine total number of dollars received at the Treasury through the Java Bank amounted to $1,770,500, for which telegraphic transfers on London were given amounting to £204,715.

3. In addition a sum of about $250,000 in small silver has been returned to Singapore, and is being taken over gradually by the Treasury.

15248

No. 256.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Confidential.)

SIR,

[Answered by No. 262.]

Downing Street, 5 June, 1908. I HAVE the honour to inform you that on receipt of your telegram of the 1st March,* respecting the arrangements for making remittances to and from London on account of the Governments of the Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States, Mr. Anthonisz was instructed to discuss the question with the India Office and the Crown Agents.

2. I have now the honour to transmit to you, for your consideration, copies of a memorandumt by Mr. Anthonisz and of a letter from the Crown Agents on the subject.

3. As you will observe, two questions are dealt with in those papers. As regards the first of these the procedure to be adopted in connexion with remit- tances I think there can be no doubt that the two Administrations would gain by acting together in the matter, rather than independently as at present. I am, therefore, disposed to agree that effect should be given to the proposals now made.

4. The other question raised is that of the gold reserve. To hold this reserve in London rather than in Singapore is to some extent a reversal of the policy pre- viously advocated; but I think it was recognized both by you and by my predecessor that the time might come when it would be more useful that the reserve should be in London, and recent events appear to me to show that this course will in future be more advantageous. The policy of having gold in Singapore can hardly be said to have been a conspicuous success; so far as I can see, there is no object which could not be equally well attained by holding it in London; and, of course, in the latter case the gold will be earning interest while it would be lying idle in Singapore. 5. I shall be glad to receive your views on these questions as soon as you are in a position to furnish me with them; but if you concur with me in thinking that the suggestions made by Mr. Anthonisz to the Crown Agents may safely be adopted, You will, of you are at liberty to take steps forthwith for giving effect to them. course, keep me fully informed of any action that you may take in the matter.

I have, &c.,

21985

CREWE.

16575

SIR,

No. 255.

I have, &c.,

JOHN ANDERSON.

COLONIAL OFFICE to TREASURY.

[Answered by No. 257.]

Downing Street, 2 June, 1908. WITH reference to the letter from this Department of the 10th and to your reply of the 17th January, 1907,* I am directed by the Earl of Crewe, to transmit to you, to be laid before the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury, a copy of a despatcht from the Governor of the Straits Settlements in which he recommends that the old Straits dollar and the old 50 cent piece should be demonetized as from the 1st January next.

Lord Crewe concurs in this view, and should their Lordships see no objection, he would be obliged if they would take the necessary steps for submitting a draft Order to His Majesty in Council at the first convenient opportunity.

It will be observed that Sir John Anderson has asked that he may be informed by telegraph as soon as the Order has been made.

I have, &c.,

R. L. ANTROBUS.

SIR,

No. 257.

TREASURY to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received 18 June, 1908.)

Treasury Chambers, 17 June, 1908.

I HAVE laid before the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury Mr. Antrobus's letter of the 2nd instant (16575/1908),§ relative to the demonetization

of the old Straits Settlements dollar and 50 cent piece.

that

In reply I am to request you to inform the Secretary of State for the Colonies my Lords approve the demonetization from the 1st January next, as proposed, and that they are causing the necessary Order in Council to be drafted accordingly.

My Lords will cause the draft Order to be submitted for the Earl of Crewe's observations before it is laid before His Majesty in Council.

I am, &c.,

22755

SIR,

No. 258,

W. BLAIN.

>

CROWN AGENTS to COLONIAL OFFICE. (Received June 24, 1908.)

Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., 23 June, 1908.

I HAVE the honour to enclose, for the information of the Secretary of State.

Nos. 192 and 195.

† No. 251.

• No. 239.

+ Enclosure in No. 241.

↑ No. 250.

31101

§ No. 255.

B

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :--

།「། TCO. 882

- PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

194

in continuation of our letter of the 25th February,* and of subsequent corres- pondence, a copy of a letter which we have received from the Government of the Straits Settlements with regard to the demonetization of Straits Settlements dollars in Sumatra.