CO882-(1-2) — Page 261

Eastern

AN XIVI

XIV

CONFIDENTIAL.

Hong Kong Registry of Vessels.

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

LLC.O. 882

1

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON |

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO

Mr. Labouchere,

IT seems that an objection has been vaguely taken to the Hong Kong Ordinance for this purpose, on the ground that it gives privileges, and the British flag (by implication), to vessels which would not be entitled to the same under the Merchant Shipping or other Acts of Parliament, not being properly "British vessels.”

It seems to me, as at present advised, that the power, exercised by the Crown through this Ordi- nance, is precisely the same with that exercised by the Crown for more than a century past through Orders in Council, legalising the grant of what are termed "Mediterranean passes.'

These instruments are or were in force at Malts, Gibraltar, (and the Ionian Islands under separate laws.)

In the case of Gibraltar, which I have before me, there was an Order in Council for this purpose in

1722.

A second was passed in 1819, more particular in its provisions. It purports to give powers to issue these instruments, "for the purpose of investing a vessel with the character of a Britisk skip," and specifics, among other things, that before such a pass oan be granted to or in favour of any vessel not duly registered, owned, and navigated, under the Acto

of Parliament, the Governor must he satisfied that

the owner, master masiner, and seamen, are natural- bora subjects of Her Majesty.

1

An Order' was passed as to Malta for similar

la 1828.

the Act of 1995 for registering British

I