CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12] — Page 173

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and just that the monies now in the nanus of the Government

of Hongkong should be returned to the shipowers concemed.

It will be noted from clause 15 of the printed Petition that

at the present two of the above snips have been laiu up as

the depressed state of the traue and keen subsidised com-

petition will not warrant the working of them,

Our clients protest most strongly at the present

attitude of the Goverment of hongkong in passing the ordin-

ance in question so far as the shipping control scheme is

concerned thereby making for themselves a defence to their

action which our clients contend and they are legally advised

the Government would not otherwise nave. Furthermore we

would point out that the Hongkong Government are attempting

to legislate in respect of suips registered in mangial and

therefore foreign suips so far as hongkong is concerned.

Lany of the persons interested in the slips are also of

course beyond the jurisdiction of the colony of Hongkong.

In view of the above, our clients will be deeply grate-

ful to you if you can see your way to recommend to is

Lajesty the King that the ordinance in question so far as

concerns the Shipping Control of han con, be not assented to.

We have the nonour to be,

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sir,

Your obedient servants,

Deacon, Looker, Deacon & Harston,

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