China Coast Guild's Surprise at B, O. T. Attitude 'The question of the employment' of Chinese in the capacity of ships' officers and engineers in British ships or, indeed, in any ships, has been' a subject which has engaged the attention of the British Mercantile Marine through their guilds, for some considerable time. They do not object' to qualified persons occupying such posts,, but they do strenuously object to any persons occupying posts which they have no the qualifeations or ability to. All. The British Mercantile Marine have jealously guarded their profession and rightly point to the years of service which are indispensable to tthe efficient taking of ships and men down to the sea. The Merchan: Marine guilds are practically all over the world, and these through. their secretaries, attend to the multitudinous questions which from. time to time arise.
It was, therefore, with surprise that the' secretaries of the local, Guilds read the proceedings which were enacted in the House of Commons a precis of which was contained in a Reuter telegram published in yesterday's newspapers. The questions asked in the House referred to the matter of the examination of Chinese candidates for positions as officers and reference was made to a notification which was issued by the Hongkong Government. This noti fication was as follows:
Harbour Department. jsful Chinese candidates will receive n Certificate of Competeney which cun be granted only. t 'British subjects but. will in lieu thereof a letter signed Chief Examiner (The Harbour ter) certifying that the examina has been' passe fter will not entitle the he rights conferred by 8 pee. P. Hole, Ha Muster, ete.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.