Admiral Besnard, the Minister of Marine, is to lay before Parliament, when it reassembles, a Bill to remove certain restrict ions on French shipping imposed in the year 1793. As the regulations at present stand, French vessels trading in the China Seas between Singapore and Japan, and intermediate ports, as well as in Borneo and Philippine waters, must carry crews composed entirely of French citizens or French subjects; whereas shipowners of other nationalities, who labour under no such restriction, can effect a considerable saving by employing native sailors. The new Jaw will authorise French ships in these waters to carry natives in any eapacity except that of captain, officer, engineer, or boatswain, with the proviso that at least one sailor and one engine-room hand shall be French.
25th September.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.