CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 174

4

CHEM

DISABLED MEN

N.

Any communication on the subject of this letter should be addressed lo--

THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE,

HOME OFFICE,

LONDON, S.W. 1,

and the following number quoted :—

447.651/72.

Sir,

2113

HOME DEFICs,-

15 JAN 25

WHITEHALL.

14th January, 1925.

170

I am directed by Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks to refer to your letter (55807/24) of the 5th December last enclosing a cory of a despatch from the Governor of Hong Kong dated the 20th Uctober with copies of applications made by the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha and H.. H. Nemazee's agent in Hong Kong for licences to procure Persian opium.

41

The Secretary of State thinks a licence may be issued to the Mitsui Bussan Kaisha under the ordinance to "procure" but he observes that the firm proposed to purchase the 100 cases from the firm of H. X. H. Nemazee & Co., and he presumes that this latter firm will not be permitted to engage in any form of transaction whatever in opium or dangerous drugs.

The Secretary of State observes that the copy of the licence issued to Messrs. Mackinnon, Mackenzie & Co. enclosed with the copy of the Governor's letter of the 20th October last, does not appear to be a licence to "procure", but a licence to export and import opium arriving at Hong Kong en route for Formosa or Jalny. The object of such a licence is not clearly understood as under the

or permet ordinance a separate licence, is required in respect of each con- signment.

be Under Secretary of State

Colonial Office.

I am,

Sir,

Your obedient Servant

malcoben Delevigne