Sir,
1674
IREC
Rest:2 JAN 15
Enclosure 1.
low Government Building,
Des Voeux Road,
31
Hongkong, 19th November, 1914.
I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of
10th instant and note the charges it is proposed to make for
the use of the Moorings after their acquisition by the Govern-
mont.
As you are aware, the Chamber of Commerça have from
the first opposed the scheme in what they believe to be the true
interests of the Shipping of this Colony.
As the matter was fully discussed in the Legislative
Council on the 5th instant in the debate on the Appropriation
Bill for 1915, my Committee desire to place on record their sympathy with what was then said by the unofficial members, who, to show their disagreement with the proposed purchase of the
moorings, voted against the Bill.
My Committee would now ask that their views be laid
before the Secretary of State for the Colonies in order that
both sides of the question may be before him,
The Committee of this Chamber are of opinion that
the proposed ohinge is not necessary in the true interests of the trade of the Colony; briefly their reasons are as follows:-
The alleged harm done to certain shipping Companies with large vessels calling at this port, vessels, I may remark, which in nearly every instance fly an Alien flag, is, we consider
much exagerated.