CO129-446 - Others & Individuals - 1917 — Page 178

Telegrams "SHIPMINDER, VIC, LONDON."

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to-

The Secretary,

Ministry of Shipping,

St. James's Park,

London, S.W.,

and the following number quoted.

Sec. 120404/199

MINISTRY OF SHIPPING,

26 May, 1917.

IMMEDIATE.

176

my

19053

Твана

Sir,

REC

27291

REG! 28 MAY 17

I am directed by the Shipping Controller to acknow- ledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th April with regard to the four steamers which are being built for Norwegian owners at Hong Kong, and to express his regret that an earlier reply has not been sent to your Department.

At this stage the question is one of great urgency, since it is understood from the Governor's telegram of the 30th March that two of the steamers were to be ready for delivery at the end of May if outstanding indents were com- pleted.

The Controller presumes that the steamers will not yet have been registered, and if this is so, he would suggest that instructions should immediately be sent by telegraph to the Governor of Hong Kong to prohibit the export of the steamers, the necessary powers being taken for the purpose if the Local Government do not possess them already. When the export has been prohibited, the Local Government should negotiate with the owners on the basis of refusing delivery

agree to unless they will give/ His Majesty's Government the option of purchase on the terms stated in the letter from this

Department of the 12th April. It should be made clear to the Governor in this connection that the figure of 10% over the contract price represents a percentage on the original contract with the builder, and not on the price under any

assignment of the contract. The Governor should also be asked to bear in mind the importance of avoiding any delay in the completion of the steamers for ocean-going service

The Under Secretary of State,

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COLONIAL OFFICE.S.W.

and/