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subsidised by their respective Governments to carry the mails compete keenly for cargo and passengers with the non-subsidised, or cargo steamers, of which there are some seven regular lines using this port en route to and from Great Britain and Europe. These subsidised steamers were further disadvantaged as against the mail lines, by being obliged to incur the various enactments which prevent their working on Sundays, or they are compelled to prolong their voyage by lying idle in port while their competitors work on Sundays, thus causing a natural preference to be shown by shippers and passengers for the speedier services.
The accelerated despatch gratuitously given to foreign tonnage vessels, which is not permitted to British unsubsidised tonnage, the Committee venture to think, is an element that has not received due consideration from those who compelled the amendment of the Colonies' laws, and requires mention to cause immediate rectification.
The Committee of the Chamber desire to suggest that the incidence of Ordinance No. 6 upon Sunday labour shall be uniform, without preference to any vessels that come under its provisions, and they put forward the request that this be done by His Excellency.