Hong Kong registry agreement' sure
to spark controversy
BY A STAFF REPORTER ·
REPORTS from Hong Kong indicate Mr Slater did not see how such a that officers' unions and shipowners' problem would be solved by the representatives have been called to a creation of a Hong Kong flag. He meeting at the Department of Trade pointed out that the shortage of cer-
tificated officers was and Industry on Sept. 10 to be told
not peculiar to the UK but was prevalent throughout that a Hong Kong flag of registry is
western Europe, if not the world. 'If to be established.
they think they're going to get a sudden inflow of officers from western Europe, they're living in cloud cuckoo
land."
Shipping sources in Hong Kong said that a "breakthrough has been achieved in the 20-month-long negotiations be- tween the Hong Kong and British Gov- crnments on the registry issue with a Kong-registered ships attracting officers The only way he could see Hong British compromise that would allow from British and European flag vessels colony-registered ships to sail with a British master in command of non-ditions.
was by offering better wages and con- British officers rather than a totally without lowering the standards for How could they do this British officer staff as previously re- safety and crew conditions, Mr Slater quired.
The settlement will now make it feasible for colony owners who control
more than 20 million tons d.w. of shipping plying the world's oceans, but registered mostly in Liberin and Pan- ama, to hoist the Hong Kong flag," the sources added.
The DTI in London refused to con- firm or deny the reports yesterday but a spokesman for the Hong Kong Marine Department was quoted as say- ing that its director, Mr A. Fletcher, is coming to Britain shortly to discuss plans for setting up the registry- including drawing up regulations and recruiting staff.
Although a spokesman for the DTI said that in the case of an agreement
asked.
the Hong Kong-registry idea, had most He pointed out some supporters of
of their tonnage registered in Liberia and Panama.
The owners, said Mr Slater, were unlikely to switch to the Hong Kong flag unless there was some induce- ment, and presumably such an induce- ment would involve the lowering of standards."
On the DT's wish that standards would not be affected, the officers' leader said: Maybe they intend this to be so. but I and others do not believe it will be."
He added: "If the British Govern
ment, who are responsible for Hong Kong are going to be party in any
there will certainly be no dropping in standards regarding crew arrange- ments and conditions." the registry shape or form to something which decision is sure to spark off a major is going to lower standards. this is
iniquitous."
controversy.
The initial reaction of Mr John Slater, general secretary of the Mer- chant Navy and Airline Officers' Asso- ciation to the reports was annoyance, rather than surprise. "It doesn't surprise me as we had the impression that we were being presented with a fait accompli when we met the DTI"
Mr Slater's annoyance was not only with the idea of the registry which he described earlier this year as odious bur the indication that the Sept. 10 meeting has been called merely to announce the decision. "I don't like being invited to a meeting if it's a whitewash," he declared.
The idea of a Hong Kong registry had been in the air for some time before the British Government nez0- tiating team flew out to the colony eather this year.
One of the most enthusiastic spon- sets of the plan ha- beon My Y. K. Pan, head of the Twag Kang-basedl World-wide Shipping Group. His prisspel argument for the registry was the shortage of British certificated officers or British nativa:d, to fill · enior
posts.
LLOYDS KIST
Lloyd's
30.8.73.
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