CO129-415 - Governor Sir May - 1914 [12] — Page 34

Sir,

1674

IREC

Rest:2 JAN 15

Enclosure 1.

low Government Building,

Des Voeux Road,

31

Hongkong, 19th November, 1914.

I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of

10th instant and note the charges it is proposed to make for

the use of the Moorings after their acquisition by the Govern-

mont.

As you are aware, the Chamber of Commerça have from

the first opposed the scheme in what they believe to be the true

interests of the Shipping of this Colony.

As the matter was fully discussed in the Legislative

Council on the 5th instant in the debate on the Appropriation

Bill for 1915, my Committee desire to place on record their sympathy with what was then said by the unofficial members, who, to show their disagreement with the proposed purchase of the

moorings, voted against the Bill.

My Committee would now ask that their views be laid

before the Secretary of State for the Colonies in order that

both sides of the question may be before him,

The Committee of this Chamber are of opinion that

the proposed ohinge is not necessary in the true interests of the trade of the Colony; briefly their reasons are as follows:-

The alleged harm done to certain shipping Companies with large vessels calling at this port, vessels, I may remark, which in nearly every instance fly an Alien flag, is, we consider

much exagerated.