CO885-(11-12) — Page 655

Printed for the use of the Colonial Office.

573

YOUR HIGHNESS,

46

Enclosure; 2 in No. 13.

Colombo, 19th September, 1933. WITH reference to Your Highness' letter of the 11th August, 1933, I have the honour to state that the difficulties and hardships that have been caused by the dispute between Your Highness's Government and the Indian Borah merchants at Malé have been a matter of great concern to me.

2. Realizing how necessary it is to the well-being of Your Highness's people that a constant supply of rice and other provisions should be maintained I have induced the Borah merchants to agree to maintain regular supplies until the dispute has been settled, and I have no reason to believe that they will not do so.

3. The merchants on their part have represented to me that they have grievances in regard to the treatment of their employees and property in Malé for which they seek redress at the hands of Your Highness's Government.

4. In order to facilitate a speedy settlement of this unfortunate dispute the Chief Secretary presided over a Conference on 29th August, at which the Maldivian Govern- ment Representative and the Maldivian Home Minister, on behalf of Your Highness's Government, discussed with representatives of the Borah merchants the various matters in dispute.

5. I attach for Your Highness's information a note of this Conference which has been accepted as correct by those present, and I would earnestly commend to Your Highness's consideration the importance of reaching an amicable settlement of the points at issue at as early a date as possible.

6. I trust that Your Highness is in the enjoyment of good health, and that you may long continue to rule over your dominions in peace and prosperity.

Eastern

No. 165.

Confidential.

I have, &c.,

GRAEME THOMSON,

Governor.

14275/33 [No. 16].

No. 14

THE OFFICER ADMINISTERING THE GOVERNMENT

(Paraphrase.)

to

THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Received 12.58 p.m., 16th November, 1933.)

TELEGRAM.

16TH NOVEMBER. No. .195. Secret. Your telegram No. 171 of 15th November.* Reported by two refugee Ministers that Ministers' Government has been superseded. There is nothing to suggest that Sultan is threatened or that serious disorders exist. Official report from Sultan which cannot arrive before 25th November is being awaited. I have inquired from Commander-in-Chief if warship was available. I have now informed him that sending of ship is not justified by information received

* 14275/33 [No. 14A]: not printed.

Printed under the authority of His Majesty's Stationery Office, By METCHIM & SON, LTD., 8, Princes Street, Westminster, S.W.1.

Maldives.-Op. 6. 16354/3206. 30. 1/35. (7425)

of Mauritius.

Constitution of

Correspondence

(1932 to 1933]

FOBLIC

PECORD OFFICE

Arference-

1111C.0.882/12

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