CO129-438 - Public Offices - 1916 — Page 231

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I am afraid there is nothing in this prepone, for

H. Mch. Wannied Thild ships

(a) If H.MG.

own off they world not have let pues the opportunity of doing so in Canada.

can be spared from this

(b) no material can

thent

are therefore, I

Ge an

Cornelyg for the purpose; we

think, in practie redened to the East, which might draw supplies from Japan.

(c)

In the last the Tanjong Pagar bond caved provibly dan bild, tie is the and for?

that I K

Concern

cones do so. Lim in that

Come it might be regiontiful bohing direct its

slips from repairing building.

Pr

17.1

As-12.18."

Any further communication should be dressed to:-

THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY, (MARINE DEPARTMENT), And the following letter and number onld be quoted :—

27958.

Telegraphic Address,

BOARD TRADE, MARINE, LONDON.

BOARD OF TRADE,

Gott

(MARINE DEPARTMENT),

7, WHITEHALL GARDENS,

225

LONDON, S.W.

31st October, 1916.

M.

apr.

BT

Sir,

52092

REC

REG 31 OCT-161

With reference to your letter of the 23rd of October! (49070/1916) forwarding copy of a letter from Messrs Dodwell & Company regarding the construction of a steamer by the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dook Company for Norwegian account, I am directed by the Board of Trade to state, for the information of Mr. Secretary Bonar Law, that, in view of the serious shortage of labour and material, facilities are not being granted in the United Kingdom for the laying down of new vessels for foreign flags and that in no case could any shipbuilding material be ex- ported from this country to Hong Kong for use in the building of new vessels for foreign flags. In these cir- cumstances, it would be desirable to inform Messrs Doll and Company that it does not appear possible at present for facilities to be granted at Hong Kong for the build- ing of vessels accept for British account.

The Board desire me to call attention to their letter of the 24th July last on the subject of the yes- sels under construction at Hong Kong. The information Juq10 which was available at that time indicated that 4 vessels

were being built for the Norwegian flag by the Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock Company. Since that letter was written, the Board have seen a statement to the effect that this Company has now under construction 8 vessels for Norwegia owners. It was pointed out in the Board's letter that in the case of vessels under construction in this country for Norwegian and other neutral flags, facilities were only granted for the continuance of the work upon defin ite arrangements being made for the vessels, when com- pleted, to be time-chartered to an approved British firm for the period of the war and some months afterwards, at about half the market rates.

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