A
·
2.
one of your ships seoks clearance from a port in the Commonwealth, and it may be that theis law extends to Pritish chips, Lacluding those registered in Hong Kong. It is the nomal practice an cases where a vegsel de met maunod to the dull statutory requirements, for the country of choarance to seek udvice fren me before granting exemption.
3 pust malte åt quito clear that the Hong Kong Merchant Shipping Ordinance does not extend outside these waters. Royover, the Lerchant Shipping (Allens Employent) Ordinance prohibits aliens from sexving in certain capacities in British ships of Hong Kong zogistky. The power of comption has been delegated to me and I cannot anticipate any problems in this respect, where British officers are net dvailable.
I an investigating the supply crate of British qualified officers at the present time. I have been told by the Ceneral Secretary of the Marchent Davy and Airlines Officers Ronociation that there is a general shortage of certificated officers; both deck and engine room –
One cannot of ccarse expect officors to accept conditions which do not take full cognizance of their long-term career consiĉonation, with orpoim surate sazarics and conditions of service. There is also a disinclination on the part of United Kingdat officers to serve on Liberian flag ships bocurse of the lack of protectica, as is afforded in British ships by the Marchant Shipping Acts, and the lack of consular servicos much valued by Hasters and officers.
To summariso:
(1)
There is no short-tem solution in acquiring British registry to tho problems posed by British officer requirements coupled with the overall shortage of officers except to ensure that:-
(a) conditions of service and salaries are
competitive; and
(11)
1
(b) powers of oxemption are invoked as necessary
when fully qualified officers are not available.
(c) Officers submitted for exemption are of
commensurate competency to those required by
law.
In the long tera:-
(a) It is unlikely that legislation will ever be