TNAG-0357-FCO40-393-Registration-of-merchant-shipping-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 70

G.F. 73C 0000733

From.......

Ref... (56) in

Tel. No.

Date..

CONFIDENTIAL

Director of Marine.

SRO/122/4

444447

11th May, 1972.

MEMO

To Hon. Colonial Secretary.

Your Ref...

doted

in...

International Transport Workers Federation

I am attaching herewith a paper reporting on measures being taken by the I.T.F. from their London Headquarters, these being directed against shipowners who:-

2.

(a) employ foreign nationals in their vessels (which could include Hong Kong registered seafarers in all U.K. registered British ships for example; and

Creus of a

Comes

(b) operate what is known as flags of convenience

vessels.

The measures introduced by the I.T.F. have received the

support of Australia maritime unions, including dockers' unions and the Australian Council of Trade Unions, which have declared a ban on flags and crews_of_convenience vessels.

3. Since declaring the ban on the 20th March, 1971 it is reported that labour has been withdrawn from only one ship manned by a Hong Kong crew in an Australian port but on two separate occasions. However, following consultations, the vessel was permitted to complete work on its cargo and sail without the owner meeting the requirements of the I.T.F. as contained in a Resolution, a copy of which is at Annexure 'B' in the attached paper.

4.

If this ban by Australian maritime and dockers unions was to be strictly enforced, some 27 ships could be affected whose beneficial owners are in Hong Kong, and which ships are manned by Hong Kong registered seafarers. It is difficult to estimate

the total number of ships which could become involved.

5.

Australian trade, both imports and exports, could be effected by a total ban with resultant economic, social and political repercussions which would be felt not only in Australia but also by her trading partners. So far there is no indication that maritime and dockers' unions in the United Kingdom, Europe and Scandinavia have imposed, or intend to impose, a similar ban.

At this juncture it would appear the I.T.F. is using the unions in Australia to test the effects of their Resolution to determine what measure of success they can achieve by the threat

sanctions.

of

CONFIDENTIAL

TELISTA

NO POS!!..... DATE IZ 572

INPIRE LETTERS

CONFIDENTIAL