The
results had been communicated to the Chamber of Commerce.
Chamber had hovever shom very little interest in the matter.
The fact is that pirates are careful not to attack a ship if there is a patrol vessel anywhere near. If, therefore, a wireless signal were sent when an attack occurred, sufficient
time would elapse before the patrol vessel could come up to enable
the pirates to get away with their loot or at any rate to get
possession of the ship. Even if a patrol vessel did come on
the scenes kafore the pirates had got away, what could it do short
of sinking a ship? a remedy which would be worse than the
disease. In any case the pirates would probably make sure by
bribing the wireless operator beforehand or, if that was impossible
by killing him or wrecking the apparatus at the beginning of the
attack.
Sir G. Grindle suggested that if a convenient form of
automatic wireless apparatus were produced the more reputable
ships would in any case carry it for their own protection; and if the installation were made compulsory the expense of installing
it might act as a further deterrent to the disreputable ships
coming on the British register.
Sir E. Stubbs thought, however, that before it could be made compulsory for a ship to instal and carry wireless apparatus
it would be necessary for such apparatus to be obtainable at a
reasonable price, and an expenditure of £50 would certainly not
keep one of these ships off the register.
I was however arranged that the Board of Trade should
inform the Colonial Office when a decision had been reached as
to the types of automatic apparatus which would be licensed. Until then, of course, the apparatus will not be manufactured on a commercial scale. When such apparatus is available, the
question of requiring ships in the Hong Kong danger zone to carry it, can be reconsidered in the light of the conditions then
prevailing.
(Intd.) J.P. 14.1.