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share of the coasting trade, it might well happen
that the Norwegian Consular Agent, as also the agent
of the stranger.
It is a growing practice for Chinese to charter
foreign steamers by the month.
Where such steamers
are partly employed in carrying passengers,
the
Chinese charterers will naturally give preference
to the flag whose Consular representative interferes
least with the internal economy of the ship.
Again it not unfrequently happens that, for one
reason or another a steamer that is really owned by
Chinese is put under a foreign flag; and the nominal
owners and local agents of the steamer derive cer-
tain profits from such transactions.
Any restric-
tions which would cause Chinese to seek the pro-
tection of the German or Norwegian flag would to
some extent injure our interests in China.
If it is necessary to legislate at all, my
opinion is (1) that all British vessels, ac-
cording to their registered tonnage, should be allowed