In the month of February late the Hongkong Government invited me, in common with Her Majesty's Consuls at other ports, to state my views on the subject of regulations for passenger ships on short voyages; and my reply, of which I have the honour to include a Copy, anticipated most of the objections which the British shipping firms are now raising.
I cannot now add nothing to the reasons I then gave for the expediency of abstaining from legislation which could be applicable to British ships alone; except that since my previous remarks were written Japan has appeared a possibly dangerous competitor in the coasting trade.
I have &c..
(Signed)
Byron Brenan.