1923-07-26 — Page 5

THURSDAY· JULY 25, 1923

SHIPPING PROFITS.

GOVERNMENT'S STATEMENT.

CHARGES DENIED.

INSIDE STORY OF THE CONTROL.

THE CHINA MAIL.

ed to charge customary payment considering in the most minute vital requirements do not consist to agents. Do you see any objec- | detail the question of sparing more solely in food for the population: tion to proposals? Despatch ships for full requisition and the fand material for the docks. The follows by mail and detailed employment of less suitable ves-Governor's draft telegram of June scheme will be communicated in sels to take their place in the trade last to the Secretary of State for the due course but you should not on the China Coast, and their ad- Colonies, which was concurred walt för despatch or scheme before vice was being constantly asked as in by the Cominiitee, has put their replying."

to the allocation between numerous views very clearly. They maintain applicants of the very limited car- their opinion, then expressed, that go space which was allotted to the "Hongkong, being only a great Colony on the Hanie and Indian trading port and distributing centre runs.

for South China, subsists practical- On the 10th December, Mr. A.ly on shipping alone, upon which G. M. Fletcher, who had become with its connected avocations the Chairman of the Committee, ad-native population of Victoria and dressed the following letter to the Kowloon, numbering about 400,000 Government regarding the shipp-persons, depend for their living. They urge strongly that no further ing situation as it then stood

The Hongkong Government, with some hesitation and after further correspondence with regard to details, acquiesced in the pro- | posals made.

1

The precis which the Colonial Secretary, the Hon. Mr. A. G. M. Fletcher, C.M.G., C.B.E., recently said he was making in answer to the charges levelled against the Government in connection with the profits made by ships requisitioned during the war, was table at this after-local tonnage situation had become noon's meeting of the Legislative Council. The statement bears Mr. Fletcher's signature and covers 19 pages. Below, we give the greater portion.

HOME ORDERS.

Colony's Vital Needs.

1

pany's fleet remained upon the

Coast.

The remuneration payable to these Companies was at Blue Book, rates with eastern allowance, and it was converted into dollars, at first as to one third, and later as to one half, at 2-, and as to the balance at the rate of the day.

7. In the meantime, owing to the constant withdrawals of British steamers from the China Coast, the

considerably more difficult. At the end of October, 1917, it was tecid- ed by the Shipping Controller to withdraw six further vessels, in- cluding the SF.

Burrumbeet," regarding which the Commodore wrote, under date the November 3, 1917-

"I have the honour to inform ships should be requisitioned from Your Excellency that a meeting of Far Eastern waters without first the reconstituted Vital Require-reviewing the situation and in- inents Committee was held on the dicating the services for which the moming of the 5th December, for vessels are required; and that it is the purpose of considering their essential to keep alive a nucleus of present position and their future the British shipping services trad-

tioning of ships policy in the matter of the requising with Hongkong."

(Continued on page 9.)

TO-DAY'S ADVERTISEMENTS.

NOTICE TO CONSIGNEES.

AMERICAN & ORIENTAL LINE.

From NEW YORK.

*** NANERIC"

"Burrumbeet" being requisitioned suggest that in the event of The publication of a report on

the Kailan Mining Administration

The question of procedure has shipping control in Hongkong

should, if necessary, charter ton-been to a large extent settled in the during the war has remained in

mage (to replace her) from vessels Committee's and the Commodore's abeyance pending a final settle

on the coast not suitable for a letters of the 29th November and 2. The taking of vessels from perial work, but which are suitable tlie 1st December respectively. The ment of all outstanding questions, and more particularly the comple-Far Eastern trades for the use of tor local carrying."

Committee suggest that the proce tion of an action bright by certain the Imperial Government, on full

The Vital Requirements Com-dure should be definitely as shipowners against the Hongkong requisition as distinct from Liner mittee wrote on the same date: follows:The Commodore will Government in the Hongkong requisition, had been going on

"In view of the necessity for refer requests for requisitioning to Courts in Desember, 1919; it being since the commencement of the further requisition for Imperial the Sub-Committee, who will con- considered undesirable to comment war, and by the beginning of the needs elsewhere we are of the sider the matter in conjunction with upon a matter forming the subject Year 1917 the number of British opinion that the vessels named can Mr. Cary; corresponding direct of legal proceedings. The action vessels trading in Hongkong was be spared but we desire to qualify with the Commodore. The Sub referred to was discharged on July very materially diminished.

The this opinion to the extent that as Committee will report their recom 25, 1933. The general settlement situation was carefully watched at the

Burrumbeci" is engaged in mendations to Mr. Edkins, Mr. THE Steamship with the owners is all but complete, hee, and on the 14th April, 1917. coal transport connected with the Anton, and Mr. Dodwell, who will and, in view of the wide publicity the Admiralty telegraphed that, Colony it may be necessary to con- form a quorum of the Committee which has been given to certain while it was imperative that every sider ways and means of replacing for the purpose. This quorum will possible ship should be used to re-her if the coal shippers concerned use their discretion as regards con Shanghai, it has been decided to live the home tonnage position, the can show the necessity for main-sulting the other members of the issue the repost without further Admiral, in requisitioning vessels, taining a ship in her place, in Committee, and their considered was to consider any requirements which case we suggest that assist opinion will be reported to the The statements made at Shang-of the Colony which were absolute ance should be given in the pro- Commodore through the Colonial hai were to the following effect: vital, and he was authorised to vision of another vessel', and at a Secretary. The Colonial Secretary (a) that certain vessels were co-requisition at the request of the meeting of the Committee held on or the Assistant Colonial Secretary mandeered by the Hongkong Govocal Government small British the 20th November, 1917, the will act as Chairman of the Com- ernment for the simple purpose of tonnage necessary

following minute was recorded:-

mittee, in which capacity he will making money out of them, and not requirements.

"In view of the importance of keep the Government informed of for purposes either connected with

3. In May, 1917, a Committee was supplying the Colony with coal what transpires. The Commodore the war or with the defence of the appointed by the Government to at reasonable rates it was agreed will supply the Governor with Colony;

consider what are the vital require to recommend that the "Wollowra," copies of his requests for requisi- British tonnage is necessary to meet requirements, be requisitioned to ments of the Colony and what a boat unsuitable for Admiralty tioning. such requirements." The original take the "Burnumbeet's" place. members of the Committee were:-- Hon. Mr. C. E. Anton

statements

delay.

nade recently

(b) that the vessels were used by

the Hongkong Government solely for profiteering purposes and were never used nor intended to be used for war purposes or in aid or defence of the Colony of Hong- kong or in any connection there- with;

(e) that the treatment of the owners by the Hongkong Govern- ment was pitiless and relentless, with the result that one company was driven into bankruptcy;

(d) that in most cases the vessels

were run at severe loss to the owners;

to meet

་་

its

Messrs. Jardine, Matheson, and

Co., Ltd. Commander Beckwith, R.N.

Harbour Master.

Mr. S. H. Dodwell

Messrs. Dodwell and Co. Mr. G. T. Edkins

Messrs. Butterfield and Swite. Hon. Mr. Lau Chu-pak

Cheong Yue Steamship Co., Ltd. Hon. Mr. R. Shewan (e) that the vessels were put reFleet Paymaster W. D. Sirratt, RN. Messrs. Shewan Tomes and Co. quisitioned by the Commodore;

(f) that the connection of the This Committee, with which the Government was in constant touch until the end of the war, did most valuable work on behalf of the Colony.

Imperial Government with the Hongkong Control Scheme was kept secret from the owners:

4. In a telegram dated the 5th

On the 24th November, the Can- mittee wrote :----

wra

}

ap-

semi-

having arrived, Consigneca of Cargo by her are informed that all Goods are being landed at their risk into the hazardous and/or extra-hazardous Godowns of Hongkong & Kowloon Wharf & Godown Co., Ltd., whence delivery may be obtained,

No Claims will be admitted after the

Goods have left the Godown, and all Goods remaining undelivored after the 81st July, 1923, will be subject to cont.

All Claims against the steamer must be presented to the Undersigned on or before 7th August 1922, or they will not be recognized.

All broken, chafod and damaged Goods are to be left in the Godowns, where they will be examined on the 31st July, 1923, at 10 am.

No Fire insurance has been affected Billa of Landing will be countersigned

THE BANK LINE LTD,

General Agents.

Hongkong, July 26, 1923,

OTHER INSTITUTIONS.

ALL preliminary notices of forth- ♫coming meetings, lectures and entertainments, sent for insertion in the news columns of the China Mail, are charged for at the rate of $1 each. (as announced in May and June of 1922) providing that they do not. occupy more than four lines. In future if this space is exceeded they will be placed in the advertising- columns at the prevailing rates.

The Commodore and Lieutenant Oldman have asked the Committee to state the number of vessels now "The Committee is in agreement which in their opinion can be spar- remaining on the China Coast with the Government that it is cd for Imperial purposes, and they essential in the interests of the have suggested that an by Colony that coal at a reasonable proximately accurate figure can be price should be available and it is arrived at through statistics obtain-P Suggested that the steamer "Wolled to show the cargoes be requisitioned to take the which are vital to the life of the place of the "Burrumbeet," since, Colony; whereby under a process the "Wollowra is declared unsuit of elimination tonnage now carry- TO SECRETARIES OF CLUBS AND able for Admiralty requirementsing non-essentials and and moreover is not included in essentials can be definitely set on regards management of the vessel purposes. the liner requisition scheme. As one side as available for Imperial The Committee find it appears suitable to place her in themselves unable to supply this the hands of the Kailan Admini-information, for the stration to run similarly to the reason

following Burrumbeet" under guidance of In the first place the trade of the (g) that owners were not inform-

the Admiralty Authorities." whole China Coast is in question. ed that war risk was covered by

The Government wrote accord-Hongkong's trade statistics extend the Government, and that they in July, 1917, the Hongkong Governingly to the Commodore on Nov over a period of a few months only, curred no small cost in respect of inent was informed that the Ship-ember 28, 1917- such risk;

"ping Controller had appointed Mr. |

and, with trade conditions con- "I have the honour to request tinually changing, with ships re (h) that, immediately after cer-G. K. Nuttall of Messrs. Buttericid that you will be so good as to re- quired for one purpose to-day being tain legal proceedings were com-and Swire, and Mr. R. Sutherland quisition on behalf of this Govern- diverted for another to-morrow, the menced against the Government, of Messrs. Jardine, Matheson and ment the s.s. Wollowra," to take Committee regard those statistics the Colonial Secretary requested Co., Ltd., as a sub-committee to re- the place of the s.s. "Burrumbeet." as not sufficient for the purpose re- the owners to stay such proceed-present him in the Colony

5. In a preliminary report on the

quired. They regard the immense- ings on the ground that an anti-

I propose, subject to your con- ly voluminous figures compiled by cable settlement might be other local situation, dated the 4th July, wise arrived at ; and that the owners 1917, Sir Henry May wrote to the currence, to ask Messrs. Dodwell the Chinese Customs as equally in- made the unfortunate mistake of Secretary of State for the & Co., on behalf of the Kailan Min-sufficient for the purposes of any

Colonies:- consenting, as it later transpired

ing Administration, to manage the decision on the vital requirements

of Hongkong. that the postponement was merely "I need hardly emphasize the vessel for the present, on the un- used to give the Government time point that the Commercial Com-derstanding that the Adminis It is unnecessary to reiterate the to prepare and enact an Indemnitymunity of this Colony is anxious to tration will use her to bring coal to point that Hongkong is merely a

Ordinance.

assist His Majesty's Government the Colony for Government pur distributing centre and that her These matters are dealt with in in every possible way. Their poses or for purposes approved by the following report.

views on the subject of the phrase the Government, at rates based 1. In March, 1917, the Imperial

“vital requirements" are, I think, upon the rates charged for the chip, Governintent promulgated

in the special circumstances of this the accounts to be subject to audit, scheme, thereafter known as the peculiarly situated Colony, sound, In other words the vessel will be Liner Requisition Scheme, for the and they are content to leave then by the Administration upon requisitioning of all yet unre-question of requisitioning in the lines similar to those upon which quisitioned British steamers on hands of the Controller of Shipping liner requisition vessels are, run."

The S.S. "Wollowra" was re- Indian and Far Eastern Liner in London, who has the benefit of Services. The steamers were to be the advice of a representative Ship-quisitioned by the Naval Authorit- operated on behalf of His Majesty's ping Committee."

at

Government through representa- tive Committees of Shipowners;

Wollowra" Requisitioned.

Policy Laid Down.

ies on the 30th November, 1917, under the terms contained in Admiralty Charter Party "T 99,"

6. In a telegram dated October and she was handed over the but, unless and until the owners 12, 1917. the Secretary of State Hongkong Government to control. were otherwise directed, it was not for the Colonies referred at some the desire of the Government to length to the proposed appoint-mittee had in the meantime been!

8. The Vital Requirements Com interfere either with the nature of ment of Colonel Thomson, Slip- their business or the method of ping Adviser to the Ladian Gov- conducting it which would have been followed if the steamers had Controller in charge of all lines erament, Agent of the Shipping not been requisitioned. The owners with headquarters in the Far East, were to continue to run the

and he added:→

vessels as for themselves, though "Following scheme suggested actually for the account of the as likely to secure most economical Government, and what were known and advantageous use of tonnage as Blue Book rates were to be available. All seagning vessels the basis of remuneration. The except those already requisitioned Government confidently looked to belonging to Shipping companies the owners to conduct the business registered in India, Straits Settle with as much zeal and care as if their own interests alone were still ients, and Hongkong would be involved.

requisitioned from fixed -date. Thomson's control so far as con- Imperial Requirements. cerns finance will extend to all! The scheme included all lines such vessels except those register- operating between Hongkong anded in United Kingdom which are the United Kingdom and all the already, under finer requisition ocean going ships belonging to the scheme. Vessels will be left to Indo-Chinn and China Navigation owners to be run as if for them- Companies, but it did not apply to selves but actually for Indian or

Governments. the smaller lines operating in and Colonial

and out of Hongkong along the China Thomson's functions would be Coast.

those of General Manager. credit full The Indo-Ching and China Owners would Navigation Companies' ships were earnings and debit charges, after requisitioned under this scheme in allowances for rebates, commis the early summer of 1917, and they sions, etc., and would be paid hire. were run under it on Far Eastern at rates pald in respect of vessels trades by their owners on behalf of on full requisition subject to adjust- the Imperial Government until the ments, necessary, on acconat, of end of the war: with the exception charges payable by owners them- "THAY KUCH OF Their vessels as could selves: Balance of profit if any possibly be spared were taken as would be payable to Government occasion required for the direct use of India or Colony, Owners would of the Imperial Government, and be reimbursed net cost of main- towards the latter part of the war tenance of organisation of officers only small portion of ach Ceom- and staff and would also be entitl

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