CO129-500-4 Canton situation- governor's despatches 15-9-1927 - 24-11-1927 — Page 15

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certificate, the ship can be arrested by the Consul. Some

doubts were expressed by the Attorney-General as to the

exact legal power of the Consul-General to refuse his

certificate in certain cases; but the Consul-General stated

that he was prepared to use his own discretion in the

matter and leave any aggrieved party to appeal.

His Excellency considered that it was essential

that no ship should fly the British Flag on Chinese Inland

Waters if it was not entitled to protection; therefore,

great care should be exercised in Hong Kong in registering,

as British, any ships which the Consul -General would not

protect. Before, however, Hong Kong can refuse the flag to any ship entitled to it under the Merchant Shipping Act it

would be necessary to amend the law, and doubts were expressed as to whether the Board of Trade would agree to the necessary

amendment. Meanwhile, the Consul -General will refuse

protection to all ships whose owners have made no attempt to

comply with the Canton Consular District General Regulations (King's Regulation No.5 of 1915), but in those cases where application for permission to trade in inland waters has been

made under the se regulations, the Consul -General will not finally refuse to certify to the Customs that the vessels

are entitled to British protection until he has consulted with Hong Kong. At the same time the Harbour Master will advise the Consul -General through the Colonial Secretary of

any applications for registration of ships likely to ply on Anland Waters and will give the applicants a printed notice

(of which the Consul-General will supply copies) setting out

the requirements of the King's Regulations.

The impropriety of any ship, flying the British Flag,engaging in smuggling or otherwise breaking any laws

of China applicable to such ships was mentioned and the

Colonial

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