CO129-298 - Governor Sir Blake Administrator Major Gen Gascoigne - 1900 [3-4] — Page 251

COPY.

Sir,

HongKong General Chamber of Commerce.

HongKong, 28th, September, 1899.

In continuation of previous correspondence and adverting particularly to my letter of the 21st. inst. on the subject of the obstruction caused to trade by the disturbances on the West River and districts watered by it, I am desired by the Committee to offer a further suggestion for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor.

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Recognising the fact that the provision of

the number of stean-launches required to effectually police the inland waterways would necessarily entail a

heavy expense upon the British Government for their upkeep, the Committee think that a similar result might perhaps be obtained, if all vessels flying the British flag and trading on inland waters were to be given the right to call for passengers and cargo at every inland

port or place on the river at which a Custom House or

Likin Station is maintained. Under the British flag, in

properly appointed vessels, greater safety would be secured

for passengers and cargo, and the mere fact of a sufficient

number of such vessels being constantly in evidence,

moving up and diwn the river, would prove a deterrent to

the toade of piracy which is now being carried on and

would thereby necessiate the continuance of only a few

gunboats on this duty.

The British Government have every right to

make this demand. In principle the opening of the Inland

Waterway of south China to foreten trade and

navigation