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6.
Action by Ships' Officers.
The Conference concurred in the view that the
Companies should not be asked to give direct orders
to their officers to assist the guards in resisting piracy, but that they should be pressed to take steps to encourage such action on the part of their officers by giving suitable rewards for successful resistance
and making provision, by. Insurance or otherwise, in
the event of death or injury.
7.
Action by H.M.Ships and Aircraft.
The meeting agreed that, so long as resistance
was being offered to the pirates, H.M.Ships should be
free to take such action, however drastic, as seemed
desirable to the Commanding Officer in order to lend
assistance and subdue the attack; that once a ship had fallen into the hands of pirates, complete discretion should be given to Commanding Officers of H.M.Ships
to do as seemed best in the circumstances, due regard
being had to the safety of passengers and crew; and
that aircraft should be used only for reconnaissance
purposes.
8.
Co-operation with the Chinese Goverment.
No action appeared necessary in this
connection, as arrangements were being made local ly by the Commander-in-Chief and His Majesty's Ambassador
direct with the Chinese authorities.
9.
Meeting with Mr. John Swire.
The Chairman said that Mr. John Swire, who
had recently returned to this country, was anxious for an interview at the Admiralty in order to state
the views of his Company on certain disputed points,
such
/as