CO129-563-18 Sino-Japanese War- stopping of British shipping by Japanese 11-9-1937 - 29-12-1937 — Page 172

Telegrams—“SHIPMINDER, PARL, LONDON." Telephone-WHITEHALL 5140.

Any further communication on this subject should be addressed to:-

The Assistant Secretary,

Mercantile Marine Department

(address as opposite)

and the following number quoted:-

M. 12298/1937

OF

MERCANTILE MARINE DEPARTMENT,

BOARD OF TRADE,

GREAT GEORGE STREET,

5.

173

WESTMINSTER, S.W.1.

13th September, 1937.

2

sir,

With reference to your letter (53838/11/37) of 11th

September, I am directed by the Board of Trade to suggest,

for the consideration of Mr. Secretary, Ormsby Gore, that the

following reply should be sent to the Officer Administering

Hong Kong regarding the demands of the crew

The Government

tof

of the steamer "Severn Leigh :-

"Your telegram 187 of 11th September.

Board Trade understand from Shipping Federation no war bonus payable for contemplated voyage of "Severn Leigh". Board Trade see no reason why Master should not prosecute. They are advised that case cited cannot be held to govern "Severn Leigh" case but its relevance must be for the Local Court to decide, having regard, inter-alia, to the risk, if any, involved in the voyage.

See Section 64 of Instructions to Merchant Shipping and Seamen, 1927 for guidance in dealing with the seamen.

As the vessel is now being delayed in Hong Kong the

Board would be very glad if the suggested telegram could be

despatched to-day.

The Under Secretary of State,

COLONIAL OFFICE,

S.W.1.

I have the honour to be

Sir,

Your obedient servant,

My Norman