CO129-478 - Public Offices & Others - 1922 — Page 394

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Importal Merchant Service Guild,

LIVERPOOL.

24th February 1922.

The Assistant Secretary,

Mercantile Marine Départmant,

Board of Trade.

sir.

I beg again to bring to your notice the very strong feeling which is prevalent amongst Masters and Officers serving on the China Coast at the present time in reference to the number of foreigners who are obtaining certificates of competency in Hong Kong.

I quote the following from a letter which I have recently received on the subject from one of our Captain members

on the coast:

"W present Chief Officer is a Portuguese subject.

He obtained his Master's certificate in October last, and the list that week included two Frenchmen, one Norwegian and one poor Britisher to keep them company. No doubt you are aware that the Harbour Master in this port is also the Board of Trade haniner. I interviewed him some time ago on this subject. Ha said there was no law to stop it, the only satisfaction that he could give me was by guaranteeing that every man would have to be fully competent before he obtained a certificate. At the present time, when there are so many unemployed British Masters and Officers I think would be a most favourable opportunity to agitate on the subject once more, and Iam positive we would have the full strength_of public opinion on our side again

I can

assure you that all members whom I come into contact with are very dis-satisfied over this Foreigner question."

According to the information which I have received, it would appear that there are as elsewhere at the present time a large number of British Officers out of employment on the China Coast,

and their feelings at seeing foreigners with certificates custing them from their own profession can be easily imagined.