CO129-421 - Governor Sir May - 1915 [3-4] — Page 560

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any knowledge of English.

4.

In the result no provision was made for the

introduction of a language qualification locally; the evident

objections to such provision still exist; and accordingly this

Colony is not in a position to satisfy the requirements of the

Convention as to the language test necessary for a lifeboatman's

certificate. I have therefore to record this additional objection to the adhesion of Hongkong to the Convention.

5.

I may mention a further difficulty in this

connection. It is not know what instructions the Board of Trade

may have issued as to the examination for the certificate of

efficiency under Article 54, but it is presumed that the certificate itself would take the form of an entry in the seaman's

continuous discharge book. The furnishing of such books to Chinese

seamen, suggested in Sir Frederick Lugard's Despatch No. 241 of

the 20th. June, 1911, has not been approved by the Board of Trade,

and consequently it would be a matter of considerable difficulty

to devise means of identifying Chinese seamen who had qualified as

certificated lifeboatmen.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your most obedient,

humble servant,

21

Governor,&c.

TH