COPY.
Enclosure 3.
Seoy, Chamber of Commerce to Col. Secretary
CH
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
33
Hongkong, 28th September, 1899.
Sir,
In continuation of previous correspondence and adverting particularly to my letter of the 21st inst. on the subject of the obstruction caused to trade by the disturbances on the West River and districts watered by it, I am desired by the Committee to offer a further suggestion for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor.
Recognising the fact that the provision of the number of steam-launches required to effectually police the inland waterways would necessarily entail a heavy expense upon the British Government for their upkeep, the Committee think that a similar result might perhaps be attained, if all vessels flying the British flag and trading on inland waters were to be given the right to call for passengers and cargo at every inland port or place on the river at which a Custom House or Lekin Station is maintained. Under the British flag, in properly
The Honourable J.E. Stewart Lockhart, C.M.G.
Colonial Secretary.