by the United Kingdom's Act.
A. "Ilexiner" which has a world-wide reputation, the steamer "Sena" of 113 tons net Register is licensed for 430 passengers in summer and 550 passengers in winter, for a voyage.
Tonnage, embracing worse weather than is experienced in these waters, besides the serious risk of collision in crowded waters.
Under the Emigration Act the "Ichang" is measured to carry 917 passengers on a long voyage.
a) The proposed Ordinance would limit the number to 698 for river traffic! We hardly require to point out to H.E. The Governor and the Legislative Council that a voyage to Singapore is somewhat different to the route between Hongkong and Canton or Teacao.
The principle for calculating the number of passengers, viz:- by the net Register tonnage of a vessel is palpably fallacious and, we believe, without precedent.
We think it is worthy of consideration that steamers arriving from the Treaty Ports have no limitation upon the number of passengers they may convey and, as a matter of fact, well known to those conversant with shipping matters, these steamers frequently take passengers in excess of one per net Register ton.
The above facts, we are free to inform the Council.
GR1178/1922/32(III)