CO129-451 - Public Offices - 1918 — Page 578

ESC

574

.5.

the more rigorous measurement there, (which is out of All proportion to the capacities of the ships, as proved by actual coast practice and experience), will only reduce

the earning of British steaners, allow foreign steamers to compete against British vessels under more favourable conditions, and leave the traffic from these ports insuf- ficiently supported, without in any way conducing to the

benefit of Hongkong.

In these days of scarcity of tonnare and of the Govern-

ment desire to utilize shipping to the fullest capacity,

it would be a mistaken policy to cut down the passenger

complement of veæsela without adequate reason: experience

having proved that vessels measured in Wetow can carry

their complements with safety and comfort. Uniformity in

British Government certificates is desirable, but, at the

same time there is no sense in excluding certain spaces,

such as the forecastle head for exertise space, if these

spaces are capable of accomodating the coolies, and are, in any case used by then, whether included or not. The Swatow surveyor being conversant with the trade, applies the rules, with due regard to circumstances, to permit the

vessels to carry the maximum compatible with safety and

comfort: while the longkong Government Marine Surveyor in-

terprets the rules with undue stringency, reducing comple-

ments to the minimum.

To use a homely phrase, the proof of the pudding is the eating, and, to my own knowledge extending over the past six years, no complaints have been reserved from the

Straits or other destinations, that Swatow ships, departing

with a full complement, have been overcrowded. I therefore

strongly deprecate any interference with existing conditions

which experience has shown to be quite satisfactory.

Foreign/