Copy.
Sir,
Hongong, 11th April, 1918.
260
91e "Twolio. ".E.3 sdt to sasadinmo
T
-:swollo? se
Toi memnon đêạm 10:30 „Zoeu neta” [852, pernot anotü
#Tray ovi „edom ! bes 2 ..ü ancï 00AƐ Juode gaiYTTEƆ
TAG Keesev 12.(VOD) duel redmwoed bedenimiad zadrado
„Istrado siláman avferd redtona rot berit
-ið be[[enced men aldo def AyanGTILE (nonol) 000,[8%
„-sitivoitus [roat nú af Sallordnos anied [sassy add
We have the honour to address you with reference to the bringing under Government control of all steamers flying the British flag which have not yet been requisitioned for Imperial service, and whose ports of registry are either Hong Kong or Shanghai,
We are instructed by the owners of the steamships "Telemachus", "Pheumpenh", "Haimin", "Brisbene", "Wollowra", "Manapouri", "Castlefield", and "Patriot" to represent their interests generally, and particularly as to the remuneration which the Government propose to pay under the above scheme.
The owners have now had the advantage of considering the information which was imparted by the Assistant Colonial Secretary at the meeting at the Sanitary Board Office held on the 28th March last, when they were informed that the Government propose to pay tramp Blue Book rates, as to one-third thereof at an exchange of 2/- to the pound, and as to the balance at the rate of exchange of the day of payment, plus 2/8 per ton for Eastern service, and 5% on the net profits in consideration of the services of the ownere in running the ships on behalf of the Government.
The owners instruct us they have also had a number of meetings amongst themselves, at which the Government's proposals have been most carefully considered and discussed.
The owners have come to the conclusion that the remuneration offered by the Government is not only wholly inadequate, but must result in a heavy loss to the owners.
Each of the owners has, in respect of his ship, made out a working account, based on the previous working expenses of his ship, and each individual item, although approximate only,
he Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
Hongkong.