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nclosure in Shanghai P/L Despatch to Foreign Office, No. 80 of 14/3/39.
(COPY)
British Consulate-General,
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No. 113.
Copies to:
Sir,
SHANGAI,
14th March 1939.
262
Foreign Office, No. 80, (3), Tokyo, No. 42.
Commander-in-Chief
Commercial Counsellor, No. 10,
Naval Liaison Officer.
3
In my despatch No. 339 of the 23rd August, 1938, regarding the affairs of the Shanghai Licensed
Pilots' association, I reported that, despite the
opposition of the Japanese authorities, an exchange
compensation scheme had been successfully introduced.
2.
This scheme has been a marked success. From
the outset, shipping companies of all nationalities with
the exception of Japanese have paid the increased charges
without a demur, with the result that, although the
tonmage dealt with is still about 25 below the normal
figure, the receipts in currency from pilotage fees are slightly above the 'pre-war average, and the pilots
are reasonably well satisfied with the results attained.
Moreover, owing to the developments described below,
the Japanese shipping companies have now fallen into
line, and have agreed to pay exchange compensation.
3.
Although, as foreshadowed in paragraph 11 of
my despatch under reference, the Japanese authorities
took no action with regard to the exchange compensation
scheme beyond placing their disapproval on record, it was
not long before they again raised the question of pilotage
this time in connection with the filling of the three
His Majesty's Ambassador,
British Ambassy,
HIGHAI.
vacancies/
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