12
Economic &
Overseas.
E. & 0. 2345/28.
་
Sir,
INDIA OFFICE,
WHITEHALL.
LONDON. S.W.1.
18 April 1928
I am directed by the Secretary of State for India to
refer to the letter from this Office of 29th March 1928,
E. & 0. 1835/28, regarding the application of Mr. G.L.Rode,
a Norwegian subject, for a certificate of naturalization
under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act.
Copy is enclosed of a letter from the Colonial Office
regarding the statement that Mr. Rode had previously applied
for a certificate of naturalization in Hong Kong.
Pending the report which may be expected from the Governor
of Hong Kong, the Earl of Birkenhead would be glad to receive
the observations of Secretary Sir William Joynson-Hicks on the
questions raised in the Government of India's letter of 1st March
He 1928 as to the interpretation of Section 2 of the Act.
observes that it is stated in paragraph 6 of Chapter XXV of
the Consular Instructions that foreign seamen are allowed
to count towards making up the qualifying periods of residence periods of service in British ships sailing to or from ports in
the British dominions. If the periods of wir. Rode's service on
British ships can be regarded as part of the requisite qualifying period, it would appear that his application should
be dealt with under section 2 rather than under section 8 of
the Act, on the assumption that the vessels on which he has served are registered in the United Kingdom, since he would not appear to have resided on shore in British India for a year
preceding his application.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
(sd) E. J.TURNER.
Secretary,
Economic and Overseas Department.
The Under Secretary of State,
Home Office.