CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12] — Page 157

MINUTES.

MINUTES NOT TO BE WRITTEN ON THIS SIDE.

+ CONFIDENTIAL.

sir,

155

53212

GOVERNMENT HOUSE.

HONGKONG. 13th September, 1922,

Onl 53154

Fer 38686731

With reference to my despatch No.315 of the 13th September, I have the honour to transmit the attached communication, with enclosures, which is addressed to you by Messrs. Descon, Looker, Deacon and Harston, Solicitors, on behalf of certain shipowners whose vessels came under the Hongkong Shipping Control Scheme during the War.

The petitioners ask that His Majesty the

2.

King should be moved to disallow the Indemnity Ordinance, 1922, in so far as it concerns the Shipping Control of Hongkong. The Ordinance in question is the outcome of the suggestions put forward in Lord Milner's Circular despatch

of the 28th December, 1920, and it was approved, practicall; in its present form, in your despatch No.245 of the 19th August, 1921.

3.

The petitioners refer to inflated prices for

repairs, loss in exchange, heavy cost of insurance, and

Governor's Conf. despatch of 21.5.1918 para.10. Secretary of State's telegram of 25. 6. 1918. Governor's Conf. despatch of 1.11.1918 para. 9. Secretary of State's despatch No.241 of 16.10.18. Secretary of State's despatch No.252 of 24.10.18. Paras.2, 3, 11 in Mr. Fletcher's report enclosed in Governor's Conf, despatch of 7. 4, 1919. Becretary of State's Conf. despatch of 30.6.1919. Governor's Conf, despatch of 20. 9. 1919. Becretary of State's Conf. despatch of 3.6.1920.

<tto

increase in salaries

and working costs. These various points

were fully considered

while the ships were

under control, and

they were dealt with more particularly in the correspondenci referred to in the margin. The representations made by

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

WINSTON CHURCHILL, M.P.,

Buc.

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