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C. 53017/28 [No. 31].

182

No. 137.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE.

(Paraphrase.)

(Received 9.45 a.m., 22nd May, 1928.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by Nos. 138 and 140.]

22ND MAY. Your telegram 18th May.* Opium. Price quoted by Bellairs, Atkinson and Company is unduly high in comparison with previous quotations. Before receiving your telegram very confidential communication was received through Elias that Bellairs Atkinson are proposing to deal with Haji Mehdi Dallal Isfahani of Shiraz who is Elias's agent, and has therefore purposely quoted them unfavourable terms, i.e., rupees 3,000 per chest, equalling 32 shillings and two pence per pound. Offer to supply at rupees 100 cheaper, and to deliver at Singapore at about 328. 2d. has been received from Elias. He also states that Isfahani is supplying to Ziegler, of Manchester, for the Dutch Indies Government poor quality opium adulterated with gummy material to render unsuitable for treatment expressly in order to cause this deal outside the ring to fail. It therefore seems desirable to refuse any offer to supply coming from Isfahani except through Elias. I further consider Bellairs, Atkinson and Company's financial proposals most unsatisfactory, and that opportunity of testing locally before making any payment whatever must be insisted upon. Please make further attempt Ali Akbar and Sons, to obtain quotation for 500 chests independently of Isfahani. Manchester, might be tried, and I would also mention J. Taranto and Fils, Merikelam pound for opium 8 per cent. to Han, Smyrna, who last December quoted 22s. 6d. a 10 per cent. morphia, and 24s. 3d. per pound opium 11 per cent. morphia, soft quality usual Persian type in both cases c.i.f. Singapore. If no success with above I suggest that authority to buy through Elias who strenuously denies trade connexion with Nemazi may be given.-End of message.

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of credit would consider combining with approved strong financial house Singapore or London to carry burden which Banks cannot but refuse on Government's present conditions.-Ends.

Hadji Ali Akbar have also been asked to quote, and I am consulting Home Office as to whether you might approach J Taranto and Fils.

Bellairs, Atkinson & Company have not been informed about Isfahani since it seemed undesirable as Isfahani might get to hear of even the most discreet statement and, apart from other complications, this might prevent your obtaining similar informa- tion in future. Nor do I propose, if Hadji Ali Akbar should submit an offer, to mention Isfahani to them unless you wish it.-AMERY,

C. 53017/28 [No. 44].

No. 139.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE GOVERNOR to THE SECRETARY OF STATE. (Received 8.40 a.m., 29th May, 1928.)

(Paraphrase.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 142.]

YOUR telegram of 26th May.* Bellairs Atkinson's offer in your telegram of 18th May contained nothing to show they were offering anything better than they were asked to tender for, see my telegram of 9th May. It looks very much like an afterthought when the price they quoted was criticized and does not inspire confidence. Offer has just been received from Nemazi to supply twelve hundred chests at twenty- nine shillings and two pence a pound. All recent telegrams have been shown to Mr. Ormsby Gore, and he agrees with me that everything points to the advisability of dealing with local men, over whom we have sufficient control and whom we need not finance. Any combination with strong financial house Singapore would obviously involve our paying double commission. Urge that permission to deal with Elias be given. Although I have no intention of dealing with Nemazi his offer will possibly be useful as a lever with Elias in regard to price.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LUFC.O.882/11

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

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

C. 52017/28 [No. 38].

No. 138.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Paraphrase.)

(Sent 5.30 p.m., 26th May, 1928.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 139.]

YOUR telegram of 22nd May.† Opium. Bellairs, Atkinson & Company were informed that you could not accept their offer as price and credit arrangements were unsatisfactory. They have requested that following message might be sent to you :-

8

Message Begins:-To give utmost satisfactory we made firm offer based on shipping best 10 per cent. quality or over made up and graded to suit your par- ticular requirements. Every brick would be examined, marked and sampled, and analysis undertaken by Mr. Atkinson in Bushire, and found fully up to your standard before payment and shipment. If had offered good ordinary passable per cent. could have reduced price many shillings. Shall we make per cent.-10 new offer accordingly at lowest possible price? Commercially 70 per cent. pay- ment against documents which include analytical guarantees considered to leave exceptionally wide margin covering all possible contingencies. Harrison and self, at our expense, would also test at Bushire if desired, and additionally, such samples of shipment certified by British Consul, Bushire, could be tested by buyers in Singapore and found satisfactory before making any part-payment against docu- ments. If quite impossible for you to assist purchases in any way by any form

↑ No. 137.

* No. 136.

C. 53017/28 [No. 50].

No. 140.

STRAITS SETTLEMENTS.

THE SECRETARY OF STATE to THE GOVERNOR.

(Paraphrase.)

(Sent 7.20 p.m., 5th June, 1928.)

TELEGRAM.

[Answered by No. 141.]

5TH JUNE. With reference to your telegram of 22nd May§ on the subject of opium. Hadji Ali Akbar have submitted a tender on the terms specified in tele-

your gram of 9th May at a cost of two hundred and five pounds sterling per chest on condition that a reply is received by twelfth of June. I am opposed to the other two firms mentioned by you being approached. If, therefore, Akbar's offer is not accept- able to the Government, I propose to inform those firms that arrangements will be made for the adoption of local buying, and that if they will open at Singapore they may tender.-AMERY.

* No. 138.

† No. 136.

‡ No. 135.

§ No. 137.

C. 53017/28 [No. 51].

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