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charged in the same time. Tank steamers are only valuable because
they can be loaded and unloaded so rapidly viz: in less than 24
hours. We asked the Government to accept duly authenticated certifi-
cates from the port of loading in lieu of the local test. The Govern-
ment insist upon these tests and consequent waste of time, in other
words insist upon rendering the bulk business in Petroleum unprofi-
table and impossible. The concession made that a British or British
Colonial Certificate will be accepted is illusory: all Petroleum
comes from Foreign Ports and no British Certificate is obtainable.
We ask you Lord Marquis, to direct that a certificate from
any loading port if certified by the British Consul at that port as
having been given by a duly authorised officer, or by a qualified
analyst may be accepted as well as a British Certificate.
The Suez Canal Company with the enormous interests to be
safeguarded by them only demand a declaration by the Master of a
Tank steamer as to the quality of the Oil he carries.
In this connection may we ask your attention to the enclosed
small scale plan of the Harbour which shows the anchorage. The posi-
tion of our premises and wharves and the track to be taken by stea-
mers approaching and leaving. We are over a mile away from the nea-
rest shipping and no vessel whatever passes near us in the ordinary
course of the business of the port.
There is absolutely no reason why the steamer upon arrival
should not proceed at once to the wharf nor why she should have to
move to the anchorage outside Stonecutters Island whilst she is
cleaning the tanks that have been discharged. The loss of time thus
incurred is enormous.
We beg further to call your Lordship's attention to Rule N°10.
The requirement of that rule as to booms involves a constantly re-
curring expense for materials and labour. It is absolutely unnecessary. There is no ship or steamer traffic whatever that passes within
a mile of our wharves; no junk traffic even, as all the junks trading