to do.
12
The 'Samshui' and 'Huchow' were to all
intents and purposes large towing launches and, I think I am
right in saying that the three Europeans they were obliged to
carry, made profitable running of them impossible, under exist-
ing circumstances.
Now there are steamers running up the
-
Yangtze from Shanghai a port of British registry of five
times the size of these West River Steamers, which do not carry
their full complement of certificated officers; one, to my
knowledge has not even a certificated Master; and the Board of
Trade, to whom the matter was referred, replied that as the
Merchant Shipping Act only applied to the United Kingdom and
British Colonies, a British Vessel running to and from a foreign
port was not obliged to conform to its provisions.
Thus a British Steamer of 150 tons may
run on the West River between Canton and Wuchow, engaged in
what is for the most part purely native trade, in charge of one
European; or she may take out a launch register at the Canton
Consulate to run on inland waters, and need employ no European
at all; but, if that same vessel wishes to engage in the direct
trade with bongkong, legitimately occupied in carrying British
goods and native produce from and to a British Colony, she must
haul down her flag and hoist the Chinese unless she will carry
three European Officers. Or she may employ a foreigner as
Captain and fly his national flag, registering the Captain as
owner.
To enable British Trade on the West River
to be carried in British bottoms, 1 venture to suggest that the
Hongkong Government should make special regulations for West
Hiver Steamers of a tonnage, say under 300 tons net, who would
be
$115