CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 177

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some of their ships should be protected have to be conceded, but

those companies which now provide and pay for their own guards

would have to be relieved of this expense. And the large number

of smaller craft flying the British flag, which navigate the

inland waters where the incidence of piracy is greatest, would

also have to be considered.

4. But I would strongly submit that the shipping

companies' claim is not a sound one, and the responsibility

for the internal proteotion of their ships is their own.

5. Oven in England, railway companies organise their own

police force for duty on their property; race course companies,

football ground companies, etc., pay large sums for the use

of police in order to ensure a peaceful carrying on of their

businesses. It would be unreasonable to suggest that these

services should be provided free by the State in order that the

companies could pay larger dividends.

€. And the same applics to shipping firms when they

engage in the very profitable but risky business of carrying

300lies on the China Station. Some of these profits should

be devoted to securing a safe uarrying on of their business, and

it should not fall as a charge on the British taxpayer.

7.

I doubt very much whether the shipping companies who

claim protection as a right fully realise what would be tac

result if their claim was upheld. It is obvious that if the invel

authorities were made responsible for the internal protection of

the ships, definite rules and regulations ould have to be issued

to ensure their safety, with the result that protection would bo

given a prior importance to actual trade. Those responsible would

not be justified in taking any risk and the situation would be

similar to that existing in wor time. This would necessarily be

so detrimental to the shipping companies' business that it is

quite certain that this is not what they wish.