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Enclosure 4(a) to China letter
dated 29th November 1929, No.1791/ 01034
COMMENTS BY MESSRS. BUTTERFIELD & SWIRE (CHINA NAVIGATION COMPANY, LIMITED) ON THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE COMMITTEE OF IMPERIAL DEFENCE AND ALSO THOSE OF THE ANTI- PIRACY COMMITTEE, HONGKONG.
1. Increase in European personnel is of doubtful velue unless such increase is substantial, otherwise it would
Suitable men not materially improve the defence of the ship.
of the petty officer type are not available on the China crast, and to obtain an adequate provision of such men would probably
The entail recruiting in England, passages out, leave, etc. appointment of an Anti-Piracy Supervisor, in our opinion, would not prove of value, and the suggestion pre-supposes the carrying of guards of a type probably unsatisfactory; this is dealt with below. It is improbable that an adequate supply of men could be found on the China coast, suitable for such a position which would not be likely to attract men of good stamp, being a blind alley job with no prospects and possibly one of considerable danger, When Indian guards were carried on our steamers, the Masters and ships' officers were quite able to do all that was required in the way of super- vision, and to have a special man, as suggested, for anti- piracy supervision, would not givehim a full time job and accordingly would tend to have a demoralising effect upen anyone in that capacity. In regard to extra officers, an agreement has recently been reached at home where by British ships of 2750 tons gross shall carry three certificated navigating officers and the China Navigation Company's coasting steamers have for some years had this in effect.
In addition to the foregoing comments, a still more important and probably decisive factor in regard to personnel is one of exponse. It must not be forgotten that British steamers on the China coast have to compete for a living with those of other nationalities carrying fewer men at lower rates of pay.
Instead of increasing the European personnel on British steamers, indications are that the tendency in future will be towards a reduction in the numbers, if British shipping is to continue to exist in China. Obviously, it is of no use having anti-piracy measures that are likely to kill British trading altogether.
2. A number of our steamers still have the grilled de fences mede compulsory by the Hongkong Piracy Ordinance 1914 (since repealed) and others have barbed wire protection when Military guards are carried, but it is doubtful whether the British Board of Trade would sanction any system of grilling which would intergere in any way with the free access to the lifeboats. In considering this point it should be borne în mind that ships on the China coast and rivers are of compara- tively small size and their type of construction is such that any system of grilling must interfere with free access to boats.
In regard to the danger of grilles, mention might be made of the "Leung Kwong" sinking on 9th May 1927, when lives were said to have been lost in consequence of the anti-piracy grilles on board.
British
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