REVIEW
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Chinese), some of them with considerable capital and knowledge of modern techniques; and the advantages deriving from the Colony's place in the Commonwealth. To these should be added a strong faith in the merits of free enterprise and least possible interference by the Government in trade and industry; a whole- some respect for the profit motive; and relative freedom from stoppages of work and other forms of industrial dispute.
THE GROWTH OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY 1841-1941
Hong Kong became a British Colony in 1841 for the simple purpose of trade with China, and prospered as a trading post because of the security and the freedom from interference which it offered. The inhabitants had little or no interest in politics; the Government was mainly concerned to provide a framework within which trade could flourish. Astride a major sea route of the Far East and at the very gateway to Southern China, it has existed as an entrepôt, a mart and storehouse for goods in transit to Asia and the West. This dominant entrepôt character of the Colony prevailed until within the past few years.
"The Harbour is Hong Kong' was an old saying and this fact was indisputable until recently. It is not surprising therefore that the first industries were the natural offshoots of a prosperous port. The first industrial venture was ship repairing and the first local product was a ship launched at East Point in 1843, two years after the Colony was established. By 1860 a large graving dock had been set up at Aberdeen. The first sugar refinery was established in 1878, and a second one in 1884, to meet the needs of ships' victualling officers. In 1885 a rope factory was started, again primarily to cater for the seafaring trade, and in 1899 a cement factory was moved from Macau to Hong Kong. From time to time there were other tentative efforts to set up new industries. Thus, the first spinning mill was opened in 1899, but it closed down a few years later. In 1902 the manufacture of rattanware began. In 1906 iron mining was started and a flour mill was opened in the New Territories. (Like the spinning mill, the flour mill did not last long). In 1910 the knitting of cotton singlets and vests was first established. Some of these ventures obtained a firm foothold and flourished, but they went more or less unnoticed
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