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on the remainder of this section, beyond pointing out
that the qualification introduced at the begining of the
second sentence would now appear to be urmecessary,
Chinese authorities having shown no practical evidence
of any disposition to cooperate.
2. In connection with this section the committee desired
to attach special emphasis to the necessity for effective
Naval patrols. Various suggestions by which the effectiveness
of these patrols might possibly be increased, e.g. by the
use of coastal motor boats, were advanced by members of the
committes, but I feel that it would be out of place for me to
attempt to comment on such purely Naval problems.
3. The committee was entirely in agreement with the
recommendation that the Firacy Prevention Regulations should
be rescinded, but considered that any attempt to define
the exact defense measures to be adopted by ship-owners for
the protection of their vessels was open to strong objection.
Whilst recognising that the owners of ships plying in waters
where they were in constant danger of piratical attacks might
fairly be expected to take all reasonable precautions, the
committee deprecated the introduction of any uniform scheme
applicable to all such vessels. In considering what defense
measures might be reasonable and practicable in the case of
any particular ship due consideration must be given to the
special circumstances existing in each case, and it would be
unfair to expect the owner to make extensive structure
alterations involving excessive expenditure and possibly
interfering with the safe navigation and working of the ship.
In the committee's opinion therefore it would have been
preferable if this recommendation had been stated in more
general terms, without specific reference to the installation
of grilles on the bridge or elsewhere.
4. There was no difference of opinion amongst the members
of the committee as to desirability of every encouragement
being
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