Sessional_Paper_1927 — Page 97

Sir,

93

DOUGLAS STEAMSHIP CO., LTD.

HONG KONG, 14th February, 1927.

"Sunning" Piracy Commission.

We have not replied to your letter of December the 7th 1926-requesting us to send a Report stating our views on the Anti Piracy Ordinance, as we were waiting for the Commissioners selected to conduct the enquiry as to the Piracy of the Sunning to sit.

Our opinion has always been that the services and usefulness of the Indian Guards which steamers have to carry, under the Piracy Prevention Ordinance, are not com- mensurate with the amount paid to them as wages, monthly, and that they might be dispensed with: and that the money now paid as wages by the different Steamship Companies, would be better used towards the expenses of running small armed Cruisers supplied either by the Royal Navy or by the Colony, patrolling between Hong Kong and Bias-Bay, and also in the Canton River.

If it were known that an armed Cruiser might be any where in the vicinity of the tracks of Coast or River Steamers, we feel convinced that the activities of the Pirates would be likely to be greatly curbed.

Captain A. H. Stewart, who is on the Commission, will be able to speak more fully on this matter for us.

We have the honour to be,

Sir,

Your obedient servants,

(Sd.) DOUGLAS LAPRAIK,

General Managers,

Douglas Steamship Co., Ld.

A. G. GRANTHAM, Esquire,

Secretary,

"Sunning" Piracy Commission,

Colonial Secretary's Office.

Appendix II.

WIRELESS AND OTHER SIGNALS.

Memorandum by Lieut.-Commander G. F. HOLE, R. N.

Evidence was taken from the various witnesses as to the use of Wireless Telegraphy as an anti-piracy precaution. All were agreed that Wireless Telegraphy, if available for use at the time of a piracy, would be a guarantee of help eventually arriving. Unfor- tunately it has been proved by all recent piracies of ships equipped with Wireless Tele-