594
(See p. 4 of the Memo from the Colonial Office).
The Colony does not apparently take this view of the situation, but the shipowners evidently feel that there is much to be said on the ultra vires question.
1
So much for the legal aspect of the question which seems to me to deserve careful consideration. The Board of Trade are, however, more directly concerned in the important questions of policy involved in the present position.
The discussion of these questions involves matters of a highly controversial nature. I will not venture to express any opinion on the political aspect of the matter, but will confine myself to stating as clearly as I can the considerations that seem to me most worth considering from the point of view of those interested in maintaining and strengthening the great carrying trade now carried on by this country all over the world.
In the first place, it is important to bear in mind that our supremacy in this branch of trade is no longer unchallenged. It is being keenly contested by our rivals in every direction. Some of these rivals enjoy heavy subsidies: and in some respects (notably with regard to loading and seaworthiness generally) our own people are properly expected and required, in the interests of the safety of human life at sea, to adhere
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