CO129-536-10 Need for leglisation concerning number of certificated officers carried on passenger ships 18-11-1931 - 15-6-1932 — Page 67

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Appendix.

Reply of the Chinese Government to the Questionnaire.

The reply of the Chinese Government to the Question- naire was received by the Office as this Report was about to leave the press. It is reproduced below.

CHINA.

The National Government of China, in pursuance of its declared policy of giving protection to labour, is strongly of the opinion that seamen should enjoy the protection of labour legislation as accorded to their fellow workmen engaged in any other occupation or trade; and, in view of the nature of their work, protection of seamen can best be given by interna- tional agreement. In anything that a State Member of the International Labour Organisation can or should do, China will endeavour to participate. The National Government of China is at present doing its best to promote its shipping industry. In doing so, it is confronted with tasks and problems as contained in the four maritime Questionnaires, which set forth a number of definite standards and policies. In giving a general answer to the respective Questionnaires, the Govern- ment wishes to state that the statements are its present convictions. As to the carrying out of these convictions, the Government wishes to avail itself of the provision made in paragraph 3 of Article 405 of the Peace Treaty.

Imprimerie de la Tribune de Genève

Questionnaire IV (Minimum capacity).

We consider

that there should be exceptions in the case of vessels without decks and vessels under 20 tons, and that provisions for penalties for offences should be made in the enforcement regulations.