!
COPY.
P&E
340
ele astni brweƐ toimį adt ham
Tieds 101 aistis vol emİD-
ylloupe last ye♫ bemonos si oberî að bænget ni ya yun nå bouilang tom
Indo-China Steam Navigation Company, Limited.
Hongkong, 15th. January, 1916.
Vesare. Jardine, Matheson à Co., Ltd.,
od qisin mork #wɔi130 talaar |
midt zuimd zwei
„dit by hand
+
General Managers, Indo-China 8.N. Co., Ltd.
Gentlemen,
။
▲ Custom has arisen in the past to have the follow -ing clause inserted on the articles of vessels sailing out of the Port of Hongkong:"
"The crew agree to be discharged at Hongkong at Haster's or
their om option by the giving of 24 hours notice on either side, subject to the approval of the proper authority".
I submit that in this present state of war in which the Empire is engaged, it is necessary that its credit be main- -tained at the greatest pitch of officiency.
That the carrying trade of the Empire is one of our greatest assets, and that in order for this trade to be performed it is necessary for vessels to be adequately manned.
-ing notice:*
The Board of Trade have recently issued the follow-
"Captains, Officers and Engineers will be doing as good service for their country by continuing to man British Steamers as by joining the Abay",
I submit then that this notice morally brings the men of the Mercantile Marine under the same obligation to serve the Expire as is incumbent on His Majesty's Army or Navy, and to that end I request that the "Proper Authority" be approached with the view of deleting this close from the Articles of all vessels clearing under his jurisdiction.
By this means the men will have to serve at least mtil the expiration of their six months Articles, and ships will not b held up by men who wish to leave at the last moment for the supreme
purpose of suiting their own convenience.
I am etc., (Sd.) P.H.Rolfe, Ag.Mar.Supt..1.C.S.N.CO.