733
PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference :-
TPEPTIC.O.882/11
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO
PUBLIC
RECORD OFFICE, LONDON
302
on account of Sarawak as stock sufficient. Requirements for future years depends on consumption but will probably represent full obtainable quota.
In view of the fact that no immediate supplies are required I am sending by next mail specimen of proposed import certificate for the information and consent of Government of India. Propose that Straits Settlements should undertake supply of prepared opium to Sarawak from 1st April, 1931.
C. 88017/1/31 [No. 6).
No. 271.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT.
(Sent 3.30 p.m., 2nd April, 1931.)
TELEGRAM.
[Answered by No. 272.]
No. 54. CONFIDENTIAL. Your telegram No. 54.* Might not Government of Sarawak be well-advised to buy (directly or through Straits Settlements Government) their whole available quota of Indian opium now and store it against the lean years to come? Suggest you ascertain and telegraph their views.-PASSFIELD
C. 83017/1/81 [No. 9].
No. 272.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT to THE SECRETARY
OF STATE.
(Received 7.55 a.m., 22nd April, 1931.)
TELEGRAM.
22ND APRIL. No. 67. Confidential. Your telegram of 2nd April, No. 54.† Sarawak agrees take up quota this year 54 chests.
0.83017/1/81 [No. 10].
No. 273.
STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.
THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT to THE SECRETARY
(No. 192.) MY LORD,
OF STATE.
(Received 27th April, 1931.)
Government House, Singapore, 31st March, 1931.
I HAVE the honour to acknowledge receipt of Your Lordship's despatch Borneo (Sarawak) No. 1 of 14th January, 1931, dealing with the supply of prepared opium in tubes to the Government of Sarawak and to confirm my telegraphic reply thereto,
as follows:-
Referring to your despatch Borneo (Sarawak) No. 1 No. 270)..
Sarawak from 1st April, 1931.
(See
2. As regards the form of Import Certificate it should be explained that the proposal is not to prepare and pack prepared opium for Sarawak separately from that prepared for use in the Colony and Malay States but to supply all administrations alike which draw prepared opium from the Government Monopolies Department with
‡ No. 268.
* No. 270.
+ No. 271.
303
what may be called "Standard Malayan Mixture" in other words to treat Sarawak on exactly the same footing as any of the Malay States.
3. It will not, therefore, be possible to say that any individual chest of opium will be used solely in Sarawak. There is of course no difficulty in giving the assurance that prepared 'opium supplied to Sarawak will be smoked there under Government restrictions and will not be exported thence (except on return to the Government Monopolies Department for exchange of defective tubes).
"
4. It is suggested therefore that the existing form of Import Certificate with the words "including the State of Sarawak inserted after the words "Malay States in the 5th line from the bottom of the body of the certificate, as indicated in italics on the attached copy, should continue to be used in respect of all opium imported from India for treatment at the Government Monopolies Department's factory.
5. I may add that there are tentative suggestions that British North Borneo may ask to be supplied in the same way as Sarawak though no definite proposals have yet been received.
If these suggestions mature and agreement is reached, paragraphs 2 and 3 of this despatch regarding the proposed method of supply to Sarawak will apply equally mutatis mutandis to British North Borneo.
The form of Import Certificate will then need to be further amended by adding the words" and State of British North Borneo " after the words "State of Sarawak."
6. It is almost impossible to forecast future requirements of Indian opium in respect of Sarawak. Singapore prepared opium is sold in smaller units (2 chi and 2 hoon tubes) and this in the Colony at least has been found considerably to affect con- sumption. Three or four months of experience of Sarawak requirements will be necessary before anything approaching an assurance can be given on this point.
I have, &c..
JOHN SCOTT, Officer Administering the Government.
Enclosure in No. 273.
INTERNATIONAL Opium Convention, 1912, and ConVENTION OF THE SECOND OPIUM CONFERENCE, 1925.
Certificate of Official Approval of Import.
No. P
I HEREBY certify that the Department of Government Monopolies, Straits Settle- ments, being the Department charged with the administration of the law relating to
the dangerous drugs to which Chapters I and II of the International Opium Convention
of 1912 apply, has approved the importation into Singapore by through their agents
Bushire of
chests of Persian opium, each chest containing one hundred and forty (140) one lb. slabs, provided that such importation shall be made before the
day of
193 1 and is satisfied that the said opium is being imported by
on behalf of and for the use of the Government Opium Monopoly of the Straits Settle- ments and that it is required for legitimate purposes, that is to say, it is required for the purpose of smoking under Government restrictions in the Colony of the Straits Settlements and in the Malay States (including the State of Sarawak) which obtain their legitimate requirements in the matter of prepared opium from Singapore and that it will not be re-exported beyond the area comprised by the said Colony of the Straits Settlements and the said Malay States.
Signed on behalf of the Department of Government Monopolies, Straits Settle-
ments.
Official Rank Countersigned.
Dated this
Colonial Secretary, Straits Settlements.
day of
193
Superintendent, Government Monopolies.
Straits Settlements.
BUTA
}
304
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