Your Ref:
3/5996/1931 M/N/G THK
Copy.
12
THE CHINA COAST OFFICERS' GUILD,
Branch Office
Bank of East Asia Building
10, Des Voeux Road Central,
Hong Kong,
6th November, 1936.
The Hon. Colonial Secretary,
Hong Kong.
Sir,
CERTIFICATED NAVIGATING OFFICERS.
I have the honour to acknowledge and thank you
for your letter under date 3rd November, 1936, and in
reply to the communication from this Guild on the above
matter and dated the 9th October last.
Your suggestion that representations in this
connection would more suitably be made to the Board of
Trade is duly taken note of.
I am to point out, however, that the issue of
a passenger licence to vessels under the British flag, registered in and trading out of this Colony, is a matter entirely within the discretion of Government and one in
which the Board of Trade is not interested.
is
If Government is therefore satisfied, as a
condition of the granting of such licence, that the manning of foreign-going vessels in their carrying but one duly certi fic ated mate in addition to the master, an adequate complement and a safe procedure, then there would not appear to be any advantage in this Guild
endeavouring to urge the contrary.
I am also to draw your attention to Section 4(2) (c)
of