Telegram.
day
C.O
54480
776
TREC
REG 4 NOV 16
The Officer Administering the Government of Hong Kong
to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. (Received Colonial Office 3.20 p.m. 13th November,
1916.)
B.T.
520920
►
With reference to your telegram 2nd November Hong Kong and Thampoa Dock Company and representative of Norwegian owners ask for reconsideration of deci- sion as to charter of four ships now being built for
viz firstly Norwegian flag for these reasons except for restriction of exportation of materials from (?)nited Kingdom ships will have been completed and handed over secondly all steel materials still required are coming from United States of America in consequence of which the owners have agreed to an increase of £10,000 in the cost of each vessel which they would not have consented to had they anticipated
enforced charter below market rates thirdly work on these ships will not interfere in any way with work
on British ships.
SEVERN