CO129-482 - Public Offices - 1923 — Page 142

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24th March, 1923-

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sir,

with reference to Mr. Wellesley's letter (7.321/50/87) of the 24th February on the subject of the proposed new Agreement between His Hajesty's Government and the Portuguesa Goveruncut for the supply of opim to Macao, I am directed by Hr. Secretary Bridgeman to say, for the information of Mrquis Ourson of Kedleston, that he agrees with the

action proposed to be taken by the Foreign Office. It is, in Mr. Bridgeman's opinion, particularly i portant to insist on the stipulations that the whole supply of opium to Macao should be taken from India, ad that none shall be re-exported. In view, however, of the fact that the

question of the consumption of opium in the For Eastern Possessions, will come up for consideration at the next meeting of the Opium Advisory Committee of the League of Nations, which will probably be held next May, and that some nonclusions may then be reached as regards the quantities of opium to be taken by the several Possessions, he miggests that it would be

advisable that a final decision as to the aunt of opium to be allowed under the new Agreement for consumption in Maceo should be postponed until after that meeting.

The Under Secretary of State,

FOREIGN OFFICE.

I SUM

sir,

Your obedient Servant,

(8gd.) MALCOLM

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