Enclosure 3
C. O.
|369 was by andof which are enclosed for its report,
a representative of the different Steamship Companies trading on the coast of China and Japan, and to such importance ought not, in the opinion of the Chamber, to be attached to them.
While it does not lie within the province of the Chamber to decide whether or not Colonial Certificates of Competency as Masters, Mates and Engineers should be granted to other than British subjects, it may be pointed out that the Authorities can, if they desire, easily ascertain full and reliable particulars of the coasting trade of China, without resorting to the means imputed by Davidson.
I have
P. Ryrie Chairman
Employment of Foreigners on board British Vessels at Hongkong.
REG15V
It may be well to remark, before entering categorically into the allegations made, that Davidson's letter speaks of "a representative meeting of Masters, Mates and Engineers" - the enclosure in said letter styles it a private meeting "Of Officers and Engineers": It might be more fitly described as a "hole and corner" meeting, for it certainly cannot have been as described "representative of the different Steamship Companies trading on the coasts of China and Japan", as 97/100% of such companies hail from and trade out of Shanghai, having at no time more than two or three vessels in Hongkong.
As every one conversant with the trade of this quarter knows, there are co British Steamship Companies trading on the Coast of Japan.
Foreigners.