CO129-521-2 Piracy in Chinese waters- anti-piracy measures 9-1-1930 - 10-4-1930 — Page 205

Sir,

215

HONG KONG, 30th May 1929.

Enclosure No.4(b) to China Letter No. 1791/01034 of 29th November

1929.

PREVENTION OF PIRACY - CHINA COAST.

We beg to inform you that the Undersigned

who had

the honour of attending a Conference, presided over by Vice-

Admiral K.C. Waistell, on H.M.S. "KENT", on the 12th ultimo,

have discussed the recommendations submitted by the Committee

of Imperial Defence, and have now to submit our views on

general points in the Memorandum, as follows:-

(1) We are of the opinion that some misapprehension

may exist in the minds of the representatives of His Majesty's

Government at Home with regard to the conditions of Service

in British vossels trading in China Waters, in as much as it

is recommended that same "should be improved". It is desirable to point out that, in the Companies represented at the recent Conference, the conditions of Service compare most favourably with those in other parts of the world. The scale of pay is adequate, and the European staff enjoy generous concessions, including as they do, Safe Navigation Bonuses, Home Leave, Married Men's Shore Allowances, Return Home Passages including those of wives and families, Hospital

expenses, Pensions, etc.etc.

With regard to the suggestion that the ship's complements should be increased, we think it extremely doubtful if this would in any way assist in combating piratical attacks

from within. The vessels of the Companies concerned are

fully manned according to Board of Trade requirements and with due regard to the various trades they are employed in, and an addition to the Personnel would not in our opinion serve any

useful purpose.

We....