§ Mr. REMNANTasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether the Governor of the Straits Settlements contemplates the restriction of the export of opium from Singapore to Sarawak; whether any direct and proven charge of smuggling has been made against the Government of Sarawak or its nominees; and whether any interference with the trade in opium, which has been uninterrupted for the last sixty years, is proposed, in view of the terms of the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Rajah of Sarawak?
Mr. HARCOURTI have received from the Rajah of Sarawak a copy of correspondence with the Governor of the Straits Settlements, from which it appears that, in view of the probability of smuggling opium into Brunei from Sarawak owing to 807W the considerable difference in price obtaining in the two countries, the Governor of the Straits Settlements proposes to allow export of opium from Singapore to Sarawak only on production of a certificate that it is required for the use of the Sarawak farmer, and to limit the amount exported to eighteen chests a month. I have no information as to the second part of the question. The action of the Governor is intended solely to protect the revenue of the Colony and is not at variance with the agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Rajah.