CO129-476 - Acting Governor Claud Severn & Governor Sir Stubbs - 1922 [8-12] — Page 214

210

furtherance of the Great War which had reached a very critical stage at that time. The shipowners were of the opinion that ultimately all questions would be settled justly when time could be given to go into details. Furthermore, whilst reserving all their legal rights the omers took every possible step to assist the Government in every way, and that this is undoubtedly the case is apparent from the remarks of the Hon. The Colonial Secretary of this Colony when the second reading of the Ordinance took place before the Legislative Council. We do not think we shall be out of order in here quoting the remarks of the Hon. The Colonial Secretary :-

*The thanks of the Government are above all due to the "owners of the ships, upon whose loyal and patriotic co-operation

it has been able to rely from the beginning to the end. It "must be remembered that the owners found themselves deprived "of a very large part of their earnings, at a time of maximum "freights when their competitors were making enormous profits; "and their has been not one complaint. The Shipowners' Protection "Association, whose title explains its object, has maintained "most cordial relations with the Government throughout, and has "given very great assistance. The Association's Chairman, Mr. "S.T. Williamson, put his experience and advice wholly at the "Government's service, and he did much to solve difficulties and "to smooth away misunderstandings.

It may be recorded that, in

"spite of the many points of law which arose and the inevitable

- 4-