D 394. This Document is the Property of His Britannic Majesty's Government 44783 [November 17.] 5 DEC 08; CHINA TRADE. CONFIDENTIAL. SECTION 1. [29347] (No. 523.) Sir, No. 1. Sir Edward Grey to Sir J. Jordan. Foreign Office, November 17, 1908. I HAVE received your despatch No. 349 of the 30th July last on the subject of the registration of steam-launches plying in the inland waters of China. I transmit to you a copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, in which they state that they see no objection to a launch which can produce satisfactory evidence of genuine British ownership flying the British flag, even if it should be unable to obtain registration under the Merchant Shipping Act. In these circumstances I do not intend to disallow the King's Regulations actually in force, which appear to have worked well hitherto. I am, &c. (Signed) E. GREY. * Board of Trade, October 24, 1908. [2020-1]