CO129-484 - Governor Sir Stubbs - 1924 [1-7] — Page 379

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The China Coast Officers 'Guild,

Hongkong Branch,

The Marine Engineers' Guild of

China,

Hongkong Branch.

Sailors' Home,

sir,

Hongkong, 22nd April, 1924.

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In reply to your letter of the 2nd April, I am directed to affirm the objection by these Guilds to the Police Department performing those duties which are maritime and rightly being to the Navy.

2.

For nearly ten years the Police department have endeavoured to sustain a system in connection with shipping

for the prevention of piracy which in the minds of sailors (who view the matter without prejudice) is wholly and entirely wrong, the reason being that all those matters connected with ships at sea or outside the waters of the Colony can only be successfully dealt with by the competent Authorities and with deference I submit they are not the Police, but His Majesty's Navy, and the Mercantile Marine.

3. Here these Guilds would again emphasise that point, which is fundamental, and the ground upon which the seed of

success is sown.

4.

In view of the small fleet of His Majesty's gunboats at the disposal of the Commedie it is not expected that those vessels could supply adequate protection, but launches for the purpose might be hired until such time as the River Fleet is augmented, bysuitable craft from home waters.

5. These Guilds have not made any suggestion that Naval Guards should be placed on board Merchant ships, but suggest the matter be left entirely in the hands of the Naval Authorities.

The Hon. The Colonial Secretary,

HONGKONG.