Sessional_Paper_1914 — Page 57

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HONGKONG.

10

No. 1914

CORRESPONDENCE RELATING TO THE PIRACY PREVENTION BILL AND THE DRAFT REGULATIONS TO BE MADE THEREUNDER.

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Governor, August 27th, 1914.

THE HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE,

HONGKONG, 18th August, 1914.

SIR, A Special Meeting of my Committee was held on Wednesday, the 12th instant, to consider the Draft Bill, and Draft Regulations to be made thereunder, for the better prevention of piracy of vessels trading from this Colony.

2. At this Meeting there attended, at the invitation of my Committee, representatives

of the principal owners of Coasting and River Craft.

3. I am directed to convey to you the opinions unanimously expressed by those present.

(a.)- Coasters.

I cannot do better than attach hereto the considered views of one of the principal owners of coasters, which views were fully endorsed by those present at the special meeting above referred to.

(b.)-River Steamers.

Generally the Regulations, as regards River Craft, are excellent and are likely to attain the desired purpose.

The following exceptions, however, are taken to them :-

Clause 10 is regarded as impracticable. There is no baggage room on River Steamers and Chinese passengers will not be separated from their belong- ings.

One can imagine the utter confusion and the amount of thieving which would occur upon passengers endeavouring to reclaim their baggage at the end of the voyage, and no check system is likely to prove in the least effective. The time required for clearing the Customs at Canton and other ports would be so

great as to act as a serious deterrent to the River trade.

For these reasons my Committee consider that Clause 10 should be eliminated.

Clause 13 which states:

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"If deck cargo is to be carried, provision shall be made for partitioning it off and securing it in such a way that it shall be inaccessible to any person "throughout the voyage without the authority of the master

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could not be made practicable, as all cargo in river steamers is carried on the lower deck among third class passengers. River steamers are not fitted with winches to work cargo in and out of the holds in the same manner as coasting steamers. Not only would it be impos- sible to place all cargo in the holds, the expense of handling would be prohibitive. Further, fresh vegetables, fruits, and live fish could not be carried in the holds.