CO129-499-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 18-3-1927 - 22-4-1927 — Page 66

COPY.

Enclo. No. 5

THE HONG KONG CANTON AND MACAO STEAMBOAT CO. LIMITED.

Hong Kong, 9th April, 1927.

Sir,

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I have to acknowledge receipt of your communication of 7th April, addressed to the Chairman, enclosing memorandum of a meeting at Governsent House on 4th instant, for verifi-

cation.

2. The date of which crew of s.s. "Kinshan" walked out

in Canton was Thursday 31st March, at about 8 a.m. and not

Friday, 1st April, as stated.

3. With regard to resolution 1, in the opinion of all

my Directors who were present, the wording "either as a crew

or as individuals" is not quite correct.

It will be appreciated that, any undertaking of the nature

suggested would be impossible to carry out, as members of crews are continually changing and, it is impossible for Masters to recognise among new members of his crew any individual formerly employed on s.s. "Kinshan".

lly Directors feel therefore that any such undertaking on their

part could not have been given.

They did, however, agree that in consideration of the Govern-

ments guarantee, the former crew would not be reinstated.

4. My Directors wish to assure the Government that it

is not their intention to knowingly re-employ these men, as

obviously the Company would be defeating its own object by

taking them back on another of the Company's vessels.

With the foregoing exceptions the memorandum appears

to be substantially correct.

Hon: Mr. W.T. Southorn,

Colonial Secretary,

Hong Kong.

I have, etc.

sd. G.E. Mlans.

Acting Secretary.