(el, -Bee, forwarded the Draft Noguiations for the cons: deratron 2 the Guilds.
The Sections which most con-corned the personnel of the vessels wore 1.—"Et is the duty of the master ip hag any cause whatever' of Trade and will have no other!
er to consider thet any vocation, what, steps will be taken other ship may be in need of as. permit him to obtain an sistance in respect of si piratical honourable living? ni tack it shall be his duty fo ay Tt would appear that it ia_ the proach such ship as closely intention of the Hongkong Gov-possible, to stand by it, to preernment that Officers of the Mer-Vent the access of pirates to oF chant Servicn who were, during] from native craft, to assicb 10 thu War, ranked with and next to} rescue work. to coil other ships ta] Officers of the Royal Navy the aid of the ship attacked, and now to, be treated with less conto do all. such other acts as may sideration than the "ratings" in tho necessary er advisable to assist that Service. the said ship in repelling we: This attitude ix preposterous, and the Offers of His, Majesty's 'ME orricuns' oBsEOTIONS.
Moreantile Marine serving on the} China Coast demand On September 9 a combined mont and the recognition of their} meeting of both Guilds was hold status which is nowhere evinced] to consider tha Draft Regulations in the document under review. and tha following letter was Sror1ox 5. dressed to the Hon. Col. Sea on the subject; to which neither "The Master shall have complete knowlodgment' nor reply was received. antral of the sip and all' Sept. 19, 1 Without discrimination no man 'The Honourable the Colonial can control, without discretion Secretary, Hongkong. no man can' discriminate, hence} Sin,—We have to thank you for it is impossible for the' master your letter of the 3rd instant, to have complete control and a enclosing copies of draft Piracy] paradox is disclosed which places Regulations, and now have the] the master in a position of being] honour to report for the informa-unable to avoid the violation of tion of His Excellency the Gover-some part of the Regu nor, that we have taken every opportunity, by calling a meeting "When the masta; any and by personal interview, to} case whatever to believe or tu elicit the views of our members on consider—."" the subject.
But by Section 1 he has no dis-Generally, the Regulations as al whole are viewed by our members Farther, we are directed to say with great disapprobation, 93 that the officers of the Mercantile! being unjust, impracticable and, Marine on the China Coast will] therefore, useless for the, purpose be delighted to assist in any' for which they are devised. measure which will tend to the We would first point out that] tinction of piracy, or to we have season to believe (which is dor any practical suggestions strongly supported by the word-which may be advanced by their ing of the document) that n01 professional brethren. They. do active member of the Mercantile! not, however, propose to allow} Marine has been consulted in. the their duty to be dictated—or framing of the Regulations, which criticized by any person or per-do not as a whole, or in any sons who are nol profess material point, coincide with the] connected with the active duties tenor of the suggestions put for-of the Mercantile Marine. ward at an carlier date. conclusion it ig submitted Seorton 1. piracy, fire and shipwreck} 'This section' discloses a very] are risks common to every person grave misconception of the con-interested in the voyage and, ditions under which piracy occurs! auch, sre insuvable. The on the Canton River delta and] the China Const generally. oticers ceragod on the, China in gratulating' that itis the should gratuitously shoulder the Toast fail to perceive why
duty of the master and other cer responsibility at the dictation of tificate officers to resist to the) Any person or persons who do not} utmost any piratical attack it personally or in any manner share the risk which thes Regula. tions direct that they shall take, We have the honour to be Sir, Your obedient servants, xia Const Orricens' Garn, Sgd. T. T. Laurenson, Assist.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.