G.R.
COPY
Ref: 250/15
Dear Haigh,
MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT Far Eastern Regional Office,
Singapore.
24
215, 2nd Floor, Fullerton Building, Singapore.
17th April, 1950.
You will recall the report I was asked to prepare in the summer of 1947 about the claims made against the Hongkong Government arising from 1941 requisitions (and denial sinkings) of merchant ships and small craft. I summarised the then known claims and pointed out those for which there appeared to be a legal liability on the Hongkong Government, whether or not the ultimate burdens were borne exclusively by them or not.
Although I do not have the papers with me here (in Hongkong), I clearly remember saying that I thought it would certainly lead to Court cases, if the Hongkong Government failed to pay the owners of requisitioned ships. That prophesy has come true; Deacon & Co., the leading firm of Solicitors here, has started actions against the Government on behalf of the shipowners concerned. Moreover the Government were, I believe, pressed hard on the subject in the Legislative Council during the debate on the Budget, which took place shortly before I arrived here a week ago.
I am informed that the Financial Secretary, Followes, is to attend a conference in London in the very near future on the subject of compensation claims, in which the shipping claims will pay a prominent part. The conference will also be attended by Nicols, the Colonial Secretary, who happens to be home on leave.
You may know all about this already, but, if not, I think you should be in the picture. My report has been taken out of a forgotten file and sent once more to London in preparation.
I asked whether the Colonial Secretariat wanted any further talks with me on the subject of these claims, but we decided there was nothing I could add to what I had said last time. As regards the claims themselves, there does not appear at present any pressure behind those for small craft, but I have no doubt that the successful settlement of the large claims would awaken a host of small ones.
In Malaya it has now definitely been decided, I understand, to include denial action sinkings as part of "war damage" and compensation will be granted in accordance with the general war damage scheme, now at last in operation.
Yours sincerely,
(Sgd.) E.M. Whitty
for D. F. ALLEN in Hongkong
Ministry of Transport Representative for Far East.
D. Haigh, Esq.
>
Ministry of Transport,
Berkeley Square House.