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Perapler.
tto
REC
8711
REG 22 FEB 16
TELEGRAM The Governor of Hong Kong to the Secretary of
State for the Colonies.
585
(Received Colonial Office 9.28 a.m., 22nd February 1916.)
Information has been received by Jardine Matheson and
Company who are agents of the Indo China Steam
Navigation Company to the effect that Government has
requisitioned their steaner "HINSANG" and that other
steamers are likely to be taken over at an early date
The firm do not seek to avoid their responsibilities
but on their behalf, I would point out respectfully that the withdrawal from these waters of any more tonnage
will seriously hamper British trade. The "HINGSANG"
is specially fitted for carriage of heavy timber and is
the mainstay of the timber trade between British North
Borneo and Hong Kong- Subsidized German ships had
cut severely into this business and the withdrawal of
this steamer will prejudice organization to prevent the
Germans from re-entering the trade after the war and
will leave the trade open to Japanese. I would also
emphasize on Jardine Matheson's behalf the importance
of their Calcutta line, by which regular connexion is
maintained between Hong Kong and the Straits Settlements,
and by which the Indian emigration traffic between Hong
Kong and Singapore proceeds, If the vessels employed
in this trade are withdrawn I greatly fear that the
entire trade will pass to the Japanese flag I should
therefore be grateful if representations could be
made in the proper quarter for special consideration to
be shown for the steamens to which I have referred which
are engaged between British porta in important trade,
KAY.