queue of such officers wishing to oust Mr Pao's
Even if alternative employees were
nominees.
available it is doubtful whether a particular
Commonwealth Government would enforce its own
legislation if it had previously agreed to refer
exemptions to Hong Kong. Renewing exemptions in
ports other than Hong Kong is obviously the
weakest link in the case for Hong Kong registration
having no major disadvantages and it is for further
thing consideration as to whether any advantage is to be
gained by applying Section 2 of the Merchant Marine
Act 1925 (as suggested at paragraphs 10 and 15 below)
.....I suggest that approval of Japanese
D
Λ
shipyard construction should be envisaged
without the necessity of a Hong Kong
representative specifically being in
attendance during the period of construction."
9. Classification surveyors rather than Government
surveyors are used by other maritime powers and,
subject to further consideration, there appears no
reason why Hong Kong should not do so also.
10.
E
a solution whereby the Hong Kong flag
is established as an autonomous flag with
its own regulations fashioned to meet the
particular circumstances of Hong Kong and
Hong Kong's ship owners"
An atonomous flag for Hong Kong presupposes
independence and, because of its position vis-a-vis
China, this is never likely to come about.
RM
licking legal advice on the
It J
might however, be possible establish a separate
Marine Register in Hong Kong by repealing relevant
Sections of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance under
4
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