Kowloon Railway is of course run under a joint
agreement for working with the H.K. section,
but the Govt. of H.K. has no direct financial interest
in the Chinese section, and I do not see why
·
they should continue to supply cheap coal to that
This is neglegitt
the Chua
section apart from unexpired undertakings.
However, this point is really immaterial ),
·
As to the general question, we cannot claim
for H.K. more favourable treatment than is accorded to
Crown Colonies generally. We must I suppose
acquiesce in the market rate; and we had better
ask the M. of S. as Mr. Holt suggests how the:
freight of 35/- is arrived at.
To procede
Are
15.4.18
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273
70
Gaston Dept=
Yor Amazon
Colonial Office.
Mesers. John Swire & Son say that the freight
on coal from Japan to Yong Kong is very high owing to the
Bcarcity of tonnage, Their latest advices shew that 14
yen, sey 28/30 shillings was quoted.
With regard to requisitioned tonnage, I
understand that the inistry of shipping contend that the
blue book rates pay the expenses of running steamers;
they take the war risk themselves. The blue took rate
of hire la paid on the gross tonnage,
The 8.8.War Wolf's" gross tonnage is 5875
tons and she apparently carries 7656 tons dead weight.
Assuming that the rate of hire is 12/- the
cost of the steamer would be g3524 per month to which
must be added cost of bunker coal, port dues and war
riek and possibly certain increases in weges &c which
have been allowed since the rates were fixed,
I cannot say what the Ministry would add to
the cost of the voyage for war risk which for the voyage
in question should be small but it certainly appears
that they are making a profit out of the Colony.
I!
If your view is that the inistry should not
make a profit out of a British Colony, I would suggest
that you ask then how the freight of 35/- is arrived at.
пики
28.3.18.