CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 15

No.024A/42.

COPY.

"TAMAR" at Hongkong.

30th October 1917.

13

Sir,

I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency's letter No. 3456/1916 of 27th October, enclosing a copy of a letter from the Vital Requirements Committee in regard to the release of further British vessels from the Hongkong, China and Indo-China trades. I have telegraphed a digest of the Committee's report to the Commander in Chief, and am forwarding him a complete copy of the correspondence on the subject.

2.- As regards the last portion of paragraph 5 of the Committee's report, I wish to point out that consideration was primarily given to the selection of loose or "tramp" tonnage and the majority of the vessels of this class now remaining are either unsuitable for the required purpose or their services have been considered by the Shipping Controller of sufficient importance to preclude their requisition. I am however hopeful that some of these may still be made available.

3.- I wish to take the opportunity of suggesting to your Excellency the appointment of a Government Representative on the Vital Requiremente Committee, and that, if convenient, the mumbers of the Committee might be reduced and that grave consider- ation should be given as to whether further assistance can be given Imperial requirements either by the requisitioning of vessels for Colonial purposes or/and by the prohibition of certain imports or other means taken so as to afford the maximum assistance to the Imperial Government. I need hardly say that I offer the above suggestions with great respect and with the full realisation of what I consider to be the urgency of the situation. I shall be happy to render every assistance in my power.

I have, etc.

(sd.) H. G. Sandeman.

His Excellency

The Governor and Commander in Chief,

Hongkong.

COMMODORE.

|