INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS OTHER THAN TREATIES [54 STAT. The Canadian Government recognize that the United States Load Line Regulations mentioned above are equivalent to the Load Line Rules for ships Making Voyages on Lakes or Rivers approved by Order-in-Council of the 6th August, 1937. With reference to the last paragraph of your note, the Canadian authorities advise that the Canada Shipping Act, 1934, inasfar as it concerns load lines, does not deal with the sub-division of passenger ships, this question being dealt with under the part of the Act which refers to the construction and inspection of ships. General regulations dealing with the construction and inspection of the hulls of steam- ships are now under consideration, and the matter of sub-division will be dealt with in them. The Canadian authorities will not be in a position to have these regulations in force before the end of the season of navigation this year for passenger ships employed on the Great Lakes, plying to United States ports. It is understood, however, that there are few such ships, and that their season of navigation ends not later than the 30th of September. As most of the passenger ships making voyages on the Great Lakes from Canadian to United States ports are old ships, there is doubt in the minds of the Canadian technical officers as to whether it would be reasonable and practicable to have them comply fully with the sub-division regulations laid down by the United States authorities, which are based, generally, on the International Con- 0 stat. 1121. vention for Safety of Life at Sea. The Canadian authorities would appreciate if information could be obtained as to what action the United States authorities propose to take in the matter of such ships of United States registry. Accept, Sir, the renewed assurances of my highest consideration. O. D. SKETON for Secretary of State for External Affairs. JOHN FARR SIMMONS, Esquire, Charge d'Affaires, Legation of the United States of America, Ottawa. The American Charge d'Affaires ad interim to the Canadian Acting Secretary of State for ExternalAffairs No. 819 LGATION OF TEm UNITED STATES OF AMEICA OTTAWA, CANADA. October X2, 1938. SIR: With reference to Dr. Skelton's note No. 125, dated August 24, 1938, in the matter of load-line regulations applicable to the Great 2302
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