}
8.
difficult to transfer tonnage to Hong Kong. Any such flight of tonnage would be embarrassing. Moreover, it may be argued that, to the extent that ships are trans- ferred from existing flags of convenience to the Hong Kong register where, on our insistence, higher standards would prevail, the competition for UK ship- owners would be less not more.
If a great deal of new tonnage were attracted to Hong Kong and the requirement for British masters maintained, this would add to the demand for such masters and through promotion, exacerbate an already serious shortage of British deck officers generally.
Comment. This argument is a dubious one particularly if, in the main, large tankers rather than a great number of smaller ships are transferred and we are able to increase the supply of officers below Master level eligible for posts on Hong Kong ships by such measures as the setting of examinations in Chinese.
The creation of a block of tonnage under the Red Ensign, believed however wrongly, to have lower standards, could· have repercussions for all British ships. UK unions might use the change as excuse to press for British rates of pay to all Hong Kong seamen on both UK and Hong Kong-registered ships.
Comment. The risk that having a separate register for Hong Kong might lead to the Red Ensign as a whole being regarded as a flag of convenience is one which we recognise. This could be mitigated by our insistence on the maintenance of high standards. The pay point could be an economic disability for UK ships, but is likely to be even more serious for Hong Kong-registered ships.
A separate register with increased tonnage could result in a serious shortage of Hong Kong seamen.
Comment. We understand that Mr Pao's ships at least already use mainly Hong Kong-based crews, so that a transfer of his ships would not lead to any different situation. In any event, a separate register of shipping for Hong Kong might, in due course, accord a higher prestige to sea employment in the Colony and to higher recruitment.
Concessions to Taiwanese nationals could lead to counter action by the Chinese Government against British ships in general.
Comment. This appears to be based on a misunderstanding: our discussions with Hong Kong have referred to Taiwan
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.