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5. It will be seen from this that the solution proposed in the final paragraph of your letter will not be acceptable to the ITF and its afiliates. It is not a question of a ship being 'owned by a Hong Kong ship owner': what is material is where the ship is registered and under whose flag it sails. The International Shipping Federation is meeting the ITF on 1 August and will attempt to persuade the latter to alter their definition of a flag of convenience ship to exclude ships operated from "flag of convenience" countries. No one however is optimistic of
success.
6. I am told that the IT and its affiliates are determined to effect an all-round improvement in crew conditions and in safety and other aspects of seafaring that have tended to deteriorate in 'flag of convenience' arrangements. At the present time Australia, Scandinavia and Israel are taking the lead but it is likely that restrictions will be tightened up and extended after the Fair Practices Committee of the ITF meets on 18 July. Lewis will be attending this meeting before he comes to Hong Kong.
The affiliation or non-affiliation of a Seamens Union from Hong Kong appears more or less immaterial since the special local circumstances about trade union organisation are well understood. The Amalgamated Seamens Union was disafilliated in 1965 but as you will know, has just now applied for re- affiliation. Mr Lewis will be looking at the bona fides of the Union when he visits Hong Kong.
7. As we see it, there is very little that can be done in view of the IT Resolution. In the last resort, ve suspect that only legal action in national courts would stand any chance of
8:1ccess.
8. I shall be interested to know of any developments following Lewis's visit.
MA Goodfellow
2.
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