CO129-521-12 Chinese Customs- proposed agreement with Hong Kong 2-4-1930 - 16-6-1930 — Page 174

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registration and (4) to take such action as may be possible under Section 51 of the Merchant Shipping

Act, 1906 or Section 67 of the Ferchant ship,ing

Act, 1894, where there is any irregularity.

The Board would also be glad if it coul i be

impressed on the Registrar that it is most undesirable that the protection of the British flag should be given to persons desirous of avoiding the laws of another country, and that, not only should the most searching enquiries be made before permitting a vessel to be place on the British register and registration be refused unless the Registrar is completely satisfied as to the bona fides of the applicant, but in addition all possible steps should be taken to remove from the British register any vessels known to be engaged in

thia traffic which are not, in fact, owned and

controlled by bona fide Fritish nationale or british

Corporations.

A copy of this letter has been sent to the

Foreign Office.

I have, etc..

(sd.) C.Hipwood.