clit Encade
I suppose the foregoing matter relate to what should be done provided the French Government are not content that the matter should be left as it stands as Sir A. Kennedy proposed by
I have one observation to make as to the likelihood of their being so content.
In his first minute Sir C. Murdoch says that Sir A. Kennedy expresses an opinion that the Messageries Maritimes will acquiesce in this (i.e. that the matter should be left as it stands) as their steamers are "exempted by the Colonial ordinance of 1871 from the operation of the Imperial Act of 1855." As however "the ordinance of 1871 prescribes conditions as to survey, inspection, etc. differing but little from the conditions of the Imperial Act, Sir A. Kennedy will thus find himself mistaken
I suppose Sir C. Murdoch refers to paragraphs 9 et seq. of Sir A. Kennedy's despatch of 21 Nov.
Paragraph 9 says "Regarding the Messageries Maritimes it will be satisfactory to your Lordship to learn that their complaints have been based on a misunderstanding. On clearing from their ports to Hongkong or Saigon they have to comply with the Emigration Laws in no way different from those applicable to other passenger ships. When carrying more than 77 passengers on a voyage of more than 30 days duration, within which certain specified ports are included, they are required to comply with certain regulations. The agent here has been pointed out that these laws only affect ships proceeding on a voyage of more than 30 days duration."
Sir A. Kennedy does not here refer to ordinance No. 7 of 1871 which deals with vessels proceeding from our port to other ports after a stay of not more than 30 hours.
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