159
14
We are instructed by the owners of the Steamships Telemachus", 'Pheumpenh ", 'Haimon”, “Brisbane", "Wollowra ”, “Manapouri”, “Cas- tlefield” and “Patriot" to represent their interests generally, and particularly as to the remuneration which the Government propose to any 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 propuse 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 owners 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 care- fully 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, can be substantiated by the owners' books, which books the owners are prepared to produce for inspection to the Govern- meat at any time.
4
17
W
1.
KI
• Wollowra,
CC
Manapouri,
We enclose herewith working accounts of the steamships "Telemachus,"
Brisbane, Haimun, Pheumpenli,' Castlefeld" and "Patriot."
From a perusal of such working accounts it will be seen that when the remuneration proposed to be paid by the Government is placed against the working expenses, the result is a very substantial monthly loss in each individual
case.
Unless the Government are prepared to very substantially increase the remuneration, bankruptcy or liquidation will be the inevitable outcome.
From a perusal of the working accounts, the result appears to be as follows:
S.S.Telemachus
should be sulected as the only industry to be taxed. It is well known and has often been pronounced by His Excellency the Governor that the shipping at Hongkong is the life blood of the Colony, that without shipping this Colony cannot exist,
The owners feel certain that His Excellency will appreciate the ex- traordinary competition which British shipping has to contend with in the Japanese shipping, that unless sufficient inducements are shown to British ship- ping enterprise the same cannot be expected to flourish. The owners consider that British shipping Companies should not be penalised in these times when Japanese shipping Companies are building up enormous reserves, and will, unless British shipping is well fostered, become invincible competitors in the not distant future, especially in the Far East.
In view of the working accounts enclosed herewith, in respect of which the owners invite full and complete investigation, the owners hope that His Ex- cellency the Governor will see his way to very substantially increase the
remuneration now offered.
The owners, whilst being desirous of assisting the Government in every possible way at this serious juncture, consider that their present request is not only reasonable, but such as they are justified in putting forward and pressing under the present circumstances.
The owners desire to make a further request which they also deem of vital importance to their interests, which is that a representative from amongst their ranks be appointed by His Excellency the Governor to the sub-committee of the London Shipping Controller, and of his Deputy in the Far East
This letter is written without prejudice to the owners' rights in every respect, and must not be construed as an admission in any way.
We have the honour to be, Sir,
Your obedient servants,
(Sd.) DEACON, LOOKER, DEACON & HARSTON.
The Hos. COLONIAL SECRETARY.
3. On the 19th day of April 1918 our said Solicitors addressed the following letter to the Honourable Colonial Secretary:
19th April, 1918.
a monthly loss of $3,211.65
#
Pheumpenh
"1
+
4,735.73
Haimun'
2,849.69
L
Brisbane "
997.00
!
++
"Wollowra
**
-4,295.50
H
*
**
Manapouri
12
948.00
*
Mi
Castlefield
17
595.75
71
""
·Patriot " a very substantial loss in view of the requisition
of the S.S. Wollowra.'
The owners desire us to represent as strongly as possible to His Excellency the Governor, the vital necessity of propounding a new scheme whereby a very much higher remuneration is allocated to the owners, and desire as to point out that it is most inequitable that the shipping trade of this Colony
Bir,
re Hongkong Shipping Control Scheme.
We have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, No. 1 in 3456/1916.
We have placed the above letter before our clients who are the owners of the ships referred to in our letter of the 11th instant.
Our clients much regret that His Excellency cannot see his way to increase the proposed remuneration, because, as you state, His Excellency is at present bound by instructions from home, but our clients note with pleasure that His Excellency is prepared to assist our clients in every possible way.