CO129-507-3 China- anti-piracy precautions 31-10-1927 - 25-10-1928 — Page 222

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Report of the 'Bunning' Firasy Unionission

Rescission of the Pirasy Prevention kegulations of 1914.

Ellis exvlmined the objects and past history of

the Regulations.

Mr. Southern,explained the difficulties that had been

experienced in getting owners and masters to observe the

Regulations, An impression was created that, on account of

the existence of the Regulations, the measures for the

prevention of piracy were a government responsibility.

also objected to spending the money required for the efficient

observance of the Regulations. The proposed revision of the

Ordinance would abolim the provisions of th

They

gulations

a compulsory measure, and would throw the responsibility

for preumutionary measures on the shipowners and mast ers.

Indian guards would in future be solely under the master

control on beard, but in order to prevent the engagement of

known undesirables they wouldhave to be approved by th

authorities of the Colony before engagement; they would be

on a footing resembling that of the Corps of Commissionaires.

Captain layton deprecated the rescission of the

Regulations merely on the grounds that they were unpop∙lar

and had not been observed.

AL. Hounsoy suggested that the fact that the official

plan had not been observed was a reason for throwing the

resronsibility on the owners and masters. Be far as the

Foreign Office was concerned there was no objection to the

proposed rescission.

Cantain Layton concurred, but urged that presmire should

be brought to bear on owners, either through the insurance

companies or otherwise, to sail ships in pairs. If one

heat were pirated the other oculd then make a signal;

would mean that all ships would have to carry wireless and

that the wireless cabin would have to be within the bridge

gitadel.