To the Editor of the "Nort-Cuixa Dairy News."
Sir,—Regarding a "'leader" recently published in your columns wherein was pointed out the chaotic condition of China's shipping through the non-existence of maritime laws, it may be recollected that your comments were replied to Mr. T. C. Leong, who contended that such laws had been promulgated, copies of which could be obtained from the Ministry of Communications, Peking. Application by this Guild to the Ministry for a copy has elicited the following reply which may be of interest to your shipping readers:—"With reference to your letter of October 13 addressed to the Secretary of this Ministry, we wish to point out to you that the navigation laws as en rated in a letter to the "North-China Daily News" at Shanghai, by Mr. Leong, are the draft laws of this Ministry and none of them has been promulgated for operation.
"Under these circumstances.
we are sorry that we cannot supply you with a copy at present but will do so after their due promulgation.
"Yours faithfully, (Signed) ° ¥. H. Hsiao, "Chief of Department."
I am, ete., W. E. Kirsy.
Secretary, China Coast Officers' Guild.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.