Whereas we allow not less than 1/3 lbs of fresh vegetables, the German Regulations lay down only about 1/2 lb measure. Our scale of food is not too liberal, though ample for ordinary purposes, and on our vessels, as a matter of fact, the coolies always get a great deal more than the minimum laid down by the Regulations. This is especially the case with regard to the ships of the type of the "Cheang Hock Kian", "Cheang Thew", etc., owned by a Singapore Chinaman.
These boats are much patronised by the coolies, for they have earned a reputation for liberal feeding and good treatment from captains who have had long intercourse with Chinese, and know the proper way to deal with them.
The Germans make a mistake if they fancy that by reducing the scale of food and thereby being able to reduce the passage rates, they will be able to induce the coolies to travel by their boats. The Chinese would rather pay a little more and travel by a known boat, where the food supplied is liberal in quantity and of good quality.
As I have enclosed copies of the Regulations, I will not go further into the theme, but would draw your attention to paragraph 12 with regard to penalties for breaches of the Regulations. It seems to me that the maximum fine of 150 Reichsmark is hardly sufficient to meet certain offences against the Regulations.
In conclusion, I would observe that I see no danger at present of German vessels running British ships off the trade here. The majority of the Chinese do not care to travel under the German flag.
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