CO129-329 - Governor Nathan - 1905 [7-12] — Page 77

COFY

No. 5.

Sir,

75

Colonial Secretary's Office,

Hongkong, 14th. April, 1905.

In reply to your letter of 4th, instant,

addressed to Captain Arbuthnot Leslie, A.D.G., 1 an directed to

inform you that the Chamber of Commerce recently discussed at a

public meeting the question of limiting the number of pilots

and decided unanimously that the interests of the shipowners

demanded that they should not be deprived of the services of

such Chinese Filots as were qualified for the services deranded

of them and had in time past given satisfaction.

1 am to point out to you that the Charber

of Commerce represents the Shipping as well as other commercial

interests in this Colony, and that therefore in view of its

unanimously expressed opinion the Government does not feel-

disposed to refuse licences to a reasonable number of Chinese

pilots provided that they pass the necessary qualifying examina-

-tion.

W. S. Burrows, Esq.,

Secretary,

Hongkong Licensed Filots Association.

I have etc.,

(sd.) B. 8. May,

Colonial Secretary.