CO129-553-3 Anti-piracy measures 7-3-1935 - 4-11-1935 — Page 52

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would be to ask the Shipping Companies to take such

steps as they felt able to do for the searching of

passengers.

2.

Grilles.

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In answer to an enquiry by the Chairman,

Mr. Graham said that the Shipping Companies were quite

wrong in suggesting that the Board of Trade Regulations were incompatible with the efficient grilling of ships. Naturally the Board's surveyors would be inclined to attach greater importance to considerations of safety in making an inspection, but the Board, he was sure, would be prepared to issue instructions that, provided

reasonable regard was had to these considerations,

surveyors should raise no difficulty over the fitting

of grilles in vessels engaged in the China inland and

coastal trade. The Board would also be willing, Mr.

Graham thought, to explain this view to the Hong Kong

Government in order that it might be brought to the

notice of the local Surveyors who, although in the

Colonial Service, were guided by the Board of Trade

practice. Incidentally it was pointed out that ships operating in Chinese waters often carried a number of passengers out of proportion to the boat accommodation provided, and that the deficiency was usually made up by life floats, which need not be stowed within the

grilled area.

3.

Armed Guards.

Kr. Gent quoted the opinion of a former Chief Inspector of Police at Hong Kong to the effect that the important consideration was not the nationality of the guards, as Butterfield and wire contended, but

their/