CO129-486 - Public Offices - 1924 — Page 23

f 4

·2408

Sir,

Any further commnaleation should be addressed to:-

The Secretary of the Admiralty,

London, S.W. I.

quoting M. 4601

C.O.

53488

te

22

L. P. No. 8.

14 NOV 24 Admiralty, S. W. 1.

13th November

34

192 4.

With reference to your letter No. 42808 of 7th October, I am commanded by My Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to acquaint you, for the information of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, that they do not consider it advisable to withdraw the instructions issued to the Governor of Hong Kong regarding the nationality of wireless opera tore on board seagoing British ships.

My Lords consider that, in order to protect merchant ships against enemy action, facilitated by treachery in the period immediately preceding an outbreak of war, and against piracy at all times on the China coast, it is not only necessary that ships of the usual tonnage and passenger- carrying capacity be fitted for W. T. but also that the operators be British subjects, though not necessarily European-born.

My Lords agree that other nations should, if possible, be induced to fall into line, and consider that the matter should be pressed at the meetings of the International Shipping Conference but They are of opinion that in any case British policy should be as stated above.

I am, Sir,

Her Secretary of State,

Colonial Office.

Your obedient Servant,

5&Marrach

for Secretary