P.Y.
Hon. Harbour Master,
109
7995
Report.
REG? 6 MAR 09
Hitherto the Chinese have not troubled themselves, except in one or two isolated cases, to ask for discharge certificates, and it is only on account of the pressure put upon Cooks by Section 27 of the Merchant Shipping Act of 1906 that they are now finding it is necessary to have them.
The tale of having left them behind in Hongkong is true to a great extent as I have several continuous discharge books belonging to Chinese in my possession given to them at Home ports but the Chinaman's respect for European legislation is so indefinite that he will not even trouble himself to collect the books after they have been filled up.
Japanese seamen, on the contrary, are very particular in this respect.
28th January, 1909.
(sd.) H. J. Watson.