CO129-464 - Public Offices - 1920 — Page 473

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prices, which would result from increased freights.

In March when the question again arose tentatively, the Philippine Legislature discussed the matter of a Bill reported to be under consideration by the United States Congress, and on March 8th passed a Joint Resolution of both Houses in which they recorded their opinion that "if this Bill becomes Law it will greatly prejudice the Commerce of the Philippine Islands", and authorized the Presidents of both Houses of the Legislature to instruct the "Resident "Commissioners in Washington to the effect that they must "oppose any law which extends the working of the Coastwise "laws of the United States to the Philippine Islands in "prejudice of the Commerce of the Philippine Islands".

For the moment the idea appeared to have been dropped but anxiety has suddenly been revived by the report that the Merchant Marine Bill now under discussion at Washington again proposes the extension of the Coastwise law to the se Islands.

It has been thought that the difficulties of the United States Shipping Board may have something to do with the matter. At present there is more tonnage available than necessary for Philippine needs and vessels have had trouble in getting Carroes. There have been cases of Shipping Board steamers' schedules being cancelled, and in connection with a proposed direct service, Manila- San Diego, an enquiry is reported to have been made as to why a Shipping Board vessel had to sail from Manila in ballast.

There is no entirely British Chamber of Commerce, but the

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