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country it has been laid down that if the pilot is in charge he is undoubtedly the responsible man. Knowing your kindly interest in anything which appertains to an injustice being unwarrantably committed, the Guild make an earnest appeal to you that you will cause full inquiry to be made into the case referred to, and they hope that this will ultimately lead to Captain S. Bell Smith's conviction being quashed through your powerful influence. If it is allowed to stand, it will mean the perpetuation of a very serious injustice. I am also to ask if you would kindly inform them under what Statute a Marine Court such as that at Hong Kong is constituted, as the Guild are not aware of a similar Court elsewhere.
The Guild, in communicating with the Colonial Office previous to the retirement of the late Harbour-Master at Hong Kong, strongly urged that such a post would most suitably be filled by a gentleman of lengthy experience in the Merchant Service, who would then be familiar with all the various details concerning the great shipping trade carried on at that port, and would be able to deal effectively and efficiently with the many emergencies which arise in connection with merchant ships.
Merchant Captains and Officers who are charged with offences in connection with their duties on board ship have a right to be judged by those who are thoroughly acquainted with these duties by practical experience. The systems and methods prevailing in the Royal Navy are quite different to those in the Merchant Service. The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in the early part of this year, after a communication from the Guild, caused a Despatch to be sent to Shanghai, that in cases in the High Court affecting merchant vessels, there should at least be one merchant captain as an Assessor. In the Marine/