COFY
No. 5.
Sir,
75
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 14th. April, 1905.
In reply to your letter of 4th, instant,
addressed to Captain Arbuthnot Leslie, A.D.G., 1 an directed to
inform you that the Chamber of Commerce recently discussed at a
public meeting the question of limiting the number of pilots
and decided unanimously that the interests of the shipowners
demanded that they should not be deprived of the services of
such Chinese Filots as were qualified for the services deranded
of them and had in time past given satisfaction.
1 am to point out to you that the Charber
of Commerce represents the Shipping as well as other commercial
interests in this Colony, and that therefore in view of its
unanimously expressed opinion the Government does not feel-
disposed to refuse licences to a reasonable number of Chinese
pilots provided that they pass the necessary qualifying examina-
-tion.
W. S. Burrows, Esq.,
Secretary,
Hongkong Licensed Filots Association.
I have etc.,
(sd.) B. 8. May,
Colonial Secretary.