CO129-491 - Public Offices - 1925 — Page 481

60386

MINORITY REPORT of the COMITTEE appointed by HIS

EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR to consider certain proposals with

regard to the prevention of piracy.

૩ -

468

3<

We the minority members of the Committee appointed by His Excellency the Governor to enquire into certain further proposals with regard to the prevention of piracy have the honour to submit the following report and recommendations.

In September 1924 the Honourable The Colonial Secretary wrote to the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce, The Chinese Chamber of Commerce and The Combined China Coast Officers Guilds stating that "certain further proposals" with regard to the pre- vention of piracy were at present under consideration and asking each of such bodies to nominate a representative to serve on a

Committee with certain Government officials to consider the

proposals put forward and to make recommendations thereon to the

Government. The three bodies so nawed nominated Neilage Sharp Brown, Chau Tsun Nin and Tom Turnbull Laurenson respectively the signatories here to as their nominees. The first meeting of the Committee was held on Friday the 5th of December 1924 at which the Assistant Harbour Master, Commander Conway Hake, R.k. presided. It was explained by the Chairman at the outset that the "certain further proposals" which the Committee was appointed to consider were principally proposals for the amendment of the Piracy Prevention Regulations, and that the Committee were not to be allowed to discuss the general question of piracy prevention apart from the regulations. In these circumstances the signatories know- ing the general opinion of those whom they represented felt them- selves compelled to refer the matter back to them before proceeding further, with the discussion. The bodies referred to were of the

opinion that the existing regulations were most unsatisfactory and that no revision of them would be effectual for the purpose of the suppression of piracy and that unless the whole subject was.com- sidered, and all avenues explored, no good purpose could be served by the signatories containing on the Committee and that if wider discussion which such bodies contemplated was not to be allowed