Enclosure. 2
Colonial Secretary's Office,
Hongkong, 2nd December, 1914 .
35
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şir.
I am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th ultimo protesting, on behalf of the Committee of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce against the acquisition by Government of the private moorings in the harbour for ocean- going vessels, and suggesting an alternative scheme.
2.
In reply I am to state that the suggested compromise
is impracticable since it would render impossible the classificat- ion and co-ordination of moorings, upon which the success of the scheme proposed by the Government depends.
3.
Under this zoheme very little signalling will be required. Masters of vessels will know what anchorage they have to proceed to, and the particular buoys assigned to them can be
easily signalled from Green Island or Cape Collinson, either of
which must be passed at close distance, and even marked by the House flags of the agents or owners of the vessels. Moreover many
ocean-going steamers make use of pilots on entering the port. These
can be instructed beforehand.
4.
The estimates of the Government relating to the cost of the scheme, are based on the advice of practical men of experi-
ence. It is true that the expenses of certain shipping firms may
be slightly increased, but on the other hand those of other firms
will probably be diminished, and in any event the accommodation of
the port will be much improved. The Government is confident
therefore that the adoption of the scheme is likely to attract,
rather than to discourage, an increasing use of the port by ocean
going steamers.
5.
A copy of your letter under reply is being sent to
the Secretary of State for the Colonies.
Secretary,
Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce.
I am, Sir, ele..
Sd.
Claud Sevem
Colonial Secretary.