CO129-346 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1908 [1-3] — Page 42

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Canton to enquire into the subject. At the interview which

he held with the Viceroy on November 20th., the latter

brought forward this matter urging that many launches

which claimed British protection had no right to the claim

and that in consequence the number of piracies said to have

been committed upon British Vessels (rightly so designated)

was much exaggerated. The Admiral who (as I have said) had

already moved in the matter independently, promised to

look into the question, and the Consul-General at Canton

who was aware of the unsatisfactory state of things which

existed had already drawn up a draft set of Regulations

which were submitted to the Foreign Office on February 5th.

last. Their object was to enable these vessels to register

at a Consulate under conditions which would enable then

to compete with vessels under other flags, and at the same

time establish an effective control over them. The

Regulations lay down the papers to be carried and that the

Master is to be certified as competent by the Consul, who

is moreover given powers of punishment in case of false

declaration of ownership. The vessels would take out a

permit at the first riverain port, and would be exempt

from the onerous conditions of the Merchant Shipping Act.

The "Net Charter" System would not be permitted, and the

"Voyage