CO129-466 - Individuals - 1920 — Page 17

discussed at Hongkong.

My present purpose is to

refer to the Comity factor in the situation.

(a)

It is considered that for many years past

the measurement for tonnage at Hongkong of

certain steamers trading to Canton and the West

River has been incorrectly calculated inasmuch

as their "tween decks" have been excluded from

measurement on the grounds that they are shelters

for deck passengers.

It is maintained that,

according to the letter and/or spirit of the

British Merchant shipping act and of the Board

of Trade instructions to measurera, such

exclusion is not justified.

(b)

With Non-Chinese steam vessels trading on

Chinese Inland waters it is obvious that want

of uniformity of practice in regard to

measurement taken in connection with the

payment of tonnage dues leads to serious

embarrassment.

(c)

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