CO129-457 - Public Offices - 1919 — Page 405

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given two ships of the same size, class, and design, one 3ritish and the other, say, Norwegian or German, the British shijo is, at the outset, handicapped on the gross capacity, or, taking wo

ther deck passengers only, 25%, owing to the difference betwɩu u

British and foreign measurement rules. The British ship is f

ther penalized by being debarred from carrying more than two

thirds of her rival's complement of passengers during more than one third of the year. Chinese charterers are fully aware of

this fact, and, therefore, seek to charter foreign tonnage in

preference to British. Foreign ships are, in every respent, more leniently dealt by their Governments than heretofore, and if.

in the heavy post-bellum competition in prospect, British vessels

are to be further hampered by more exacting rules, they will be

simply driven off the coolie runs to Bangkok and Saigon.

Strong Japanese competition on the Bangkok run is expected,

two Japanese companies being expected to enter the trade. This

point was omitted from the foregoing argument, because their measurement, and other, rules governing coolie steamers are un-

known, but it may safely be surmised that they will not be less

favourable than the German or Forwegian rules, with the further

possibility, or even probability that, as neither the Chinese or Siamese Governments insist upon an admeasurement certificate, the Japanese may avoid the issue altogether and carry any numbers they please. While there is not the slightest intention to

suggest that, on this account, British ships should be allowed to

carry an excessive number of passengera, stress must be laid on

the fact that foreign ships of the same size and clasa can, and

do, carry more passengers, under their rules, than British ships are able to do, under theirs, which goes a long way towards

proving that the complements allowed British vessels by the

Swatow Surveyor are not beyond their capacities.

As regards the safety of emigrants, the local Surveyor in- spects all life saving gear, and states on his certificate that

it is in good condition, and sufficient for the number of passen-

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