CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 187

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the fitting of grilles.

15.

weight.

As an argument, however, this should carry little

The floats stowed in the central superstructure

are but a concession to the letter of the Board of Trade

Regulations, and do not, in fact, provide effectively

for the safety of coolie passengers when these are carri ed

in large numbers. If the spirit of these regulations

was complied with the floats would be stowed aft and

handy to the coolie accommodation. They would then be

outside the grilled area. The grilling of hatches so as

to exclude coolie passengers from the upper deck has never

been advocated by the Anti-Piracy Committee and is not

considered an effective measure against piracy.

16.

(iv) Protection of trade is fundamentally a du ty of the Government. Certain firms claim that,

being registered in the United Kingdom and paying full income tax, they are thereby specially entitled to protection.

[!

These are matters of Government policy and being

outside the scope of the Anti-Piracy Committee the matter

has not so far been discussed. It is thought, however,

that the arguments put forward below, as well as the

suggestions in Parts II and III of this paper, may pro ve

of value in meeting the shipping companies' endeavour to

influence the Government decision acting along political

channels.

17.

Hitherto the Government has never trained or

armed personnel to sail in Merchant ships nor taken

defensive measures which could be effected by the ship

owners. Forces of the Crown have been employed only in