SPECIAL ANTI-IRACY QUANDS ON BRITISH STEAMERS.
(Commodore Hongkong No.H.K.0260 of 22/5/31.)
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3. In August, 1930, the Malayan Government reduced
the quota of Chinese (male) emigrants, shipping Companies,
having vessels employed in the Coolie trade, were asked to
give a monthly average of numbers carried during the previous
three months. The Government cut down this average number
by two thirds which is now the authorised quota until further
orders.
It is probable that the risk of piracy on the Hongkong
Singapore run is less than it was a year ago owing to the
reduced numbers of deck passengers and to the fact that a
large percentage of those carried on the return voyage: are
repatriated unemployed and, as such, not worth robbing.
4. Opinione differ considerably as to the efficacy
of the present Anti-piracy Guards. Certain ship's Officers
are prejudiced against the whole system. The majority of
Masters, however, say that the Russian N.C.0's are very good
and that the rank and file are reasonably efficient and do
not cause trouble,
Shipping Companies have issued comprehensive orders for
guards while afloat, the more important items of routine
being entered in the ship's log.
5. he shipping Companies referred to above having
had to pay for their Military guards in 1930 (from 1st April
till the new guards were ready) still nurse a feeling of
resentment against the Home (lovernment.
Further, there is
still a certain amount of friction between the Hongkong
olice