CO129-450 - Acting Governor Claud Severn - 1918 [10-12] — Page 157

1

NR CONFIDENTIAL.

103

62547

IREN

Rr 27 Cl

GOVERNMENT HOUSE,

HONGKONG. 1st. November, 1918.

Scer

34042

sir,

In continuation of Sir Henry May's

Confidential Despatch of the 21st. May, I have the honour to

report certain further matters that have arisen in connection

with the shipping control.

2,

The question of the renewal of insurance

against war risk, referred to in paragraph 12 of that

Despatch, was very carefully considered by Sir Henry May. The

Vital Requirements Committee were, with one exception,

opposed to renewal; while the Unofficial Members of the

Legislative Council were divided on the subject. The Executive

Council, having the various opinions before them, voted with

one dissentient against renewal. The insurance was according-

-ly allowed to lapse.

3.

The profits from the controlled vessels

approximate at the present time to some $300,000 monthly. The

money thus derived is kept separately and apart from revenue;

and it therefore remains available as a war insurance sinking

fund.

Londlosure!.

4.

I enclose a list of the vessels now

under control. The first fourteen named were taken over at

the commencement of the scheme. The last three were

requisitioned in August.

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WALTER LONG, M.P.,

&c..

&c..

&c...

5.