CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 170

Any further communication should be addressed to-

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY,

at the address given opposite.

The following letter and number should bo quoted :-

C. 12588.

Telegraphic Address :

COLASTA, LONDON.

BOARD OF TRADE,

<COMMERCIAL DEPARTMENT

GWYDYR HOUSE,

164

WHITEHALL,

LONDON, S.W.

Telephone No.: 3840 Victoria.

C

O

23641

19th May,

1916.

REC

REG 20 MAY 16]

With reference to your letters of the 7th April (15861/1916) and the 8th May 20788/1916) with enclosures

respecting the smuggling of opium from this country to

Hong Kong,the Straits Settlements and elsewhere, I an

directed by the Board of Trade to state, for Mr.

Secretary Bonar Law's information, that they concur in the proposal to hold a conference at the Colonial Office for the purpose of discussing the opium question and they have nominated as their representative r. H.

Fountain C.M.G., who will be accompanied by Mr. G. E.

Baker.

In view, however, of the possibility that a

discussion may arise at the conference as to the

desirability of bringing the provisions of the

International Opium Convention of 1912, into operation,

in whole or in part, I am to suggest, for Mr. Secretary

Bonar Law's consideration, that representatives of the

Privy Council Office and of the Foreign Office should

also be invited to be present.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

The Under Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

Farnham Roper

us.