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doubtful whether this would be advisable at
the present moment.
5. It has also been pointed out that the Bill, as drafted, would make it necessary for an ocean-going British ship, registered in Hong Kong, to obtain a license for even a single voyage to Canton, and possibly for a voyage to Changhai. Tothing of this kind was ever intended.
6. There are in addition two minor points, which could, no doubt, be disposed of by small alterations in the Bill. One is that there seems to be some confusion between the two terms "ship" and "vessel". The other is that it is not clear whether laces on the coast line of China, at least outside the provinces of Kwangtung and Kwangsi, are included in the term inland waters of China".
7. Thile it is my duty to point out to Your Lordship the difficulties which further examination has revealed in the draft Bill, I remain as convinced as ever that the present position with regard to the use of the British flag in Chinese waters is thoroughly unsatisfactory, so far as this Colony is concerned, and that steps ought speedily to be taken to rectify it. As Your Lordship knows, it is open to any group of aliens in this Colony, containing among them not a single British subject and perhaps being all of them Chinese subjects, to register themselves in Hong Kong as a company, and by such registration to acquire the right to fly the British
flag