CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 125

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discipline under naval Commander in Chief or G.C.C. the

cost to be met in the first instance by this Government

and recovered by a surcharge on all shipping visiting the

Port assisted by a grant in aid from the Imperial

Government and a contribution from the Singapore Government

and other unspecified sources.

I received the deputation on 17th February and found

that the scheme had only been considered in barest outline.

No idea of the cost had been obtained nor did the details

involved seem to have been considered. The number of

men required was tentatively put at 400 with 35 white

N. C. O's and 4 white headquarter staff. It was pointed

out that if all shipping were taxed all shipping passing

through pirate zone would be likely to demand guards and

400 might prove insufficient. I declined to commit this

Government to the expense of establishing such an organisa-

tion on the chance of recovering its cost lator on without

the fullest consideration. It became evident in the course

of the discussion that strong opposition might be obtaining

to any tax which would increase charges on shipping not

interested in anti piracy guards. I am of opinion that

the scheme is altogether too nebulous and too expensive

to be undertaken at a moments notice, I pressed on the

deputation the view that only scheme admitting of prompt

application was a development of the former system of

Indian guards possibly supplemented by white N. C. O's and

it was left to deputation to confer with Inspector General

of Police who was present at the discussion with a view to

evolving a practical scheme at the earliest possible

moment.

I consider that shipping utilising guards must

bear the cost of the scheme.

ven this scheme will take time to evolve but it

scems to offer only practical solution to difficulty in

which shipping companies now find themselves.

It may

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