INDUSTRY AND TRADE
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Kong to the Twelfth Congress of Scientific Management at Sydney and Melbourne in February; this visit focused attention on the growing interest in a scientific approach to management problems which is discussed below. The Federation followed this initiative by forming a Hong Kong Management Association which is seek- ing membership of the International Committee for Scientific Management.
It has from time to time been suggested that the Colony should set up an institute of industrial standards. The majority of those in close touch with Hong Kong's industry have doubted the wisdom or need for this, because almost all local products which are exported abroad are manufactured to the designs and specifica- tions of overseas importers. A more practical view favours the establishment of a registry where manufacturers and exporters may lodge samples of their exports so that, in the event of a dispute, they and their customers may have the assurance that an independent body has in safe custody a sealed sample of the goods actually shipped. The Federation is in process of establishing such a registry.
Training of Supervisors and Managers. The expansion of Hong Kong industry has tended to create forms of organization quite different from the traditional pattern of a small family business. This has produced a corresponding need to develop managerial skills at all levels, a need which is being, or will be, met by various forms of training.
The Hong Kong Technical College holds evening courses in English in management studies and in industrial administration. They roughly cover the syllabus of the British Institute of Manage- ment and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers respectively. The supervisory training section of the Labour Department offers training in supervisory techniques to civil servants and to staff of industrial and commercial concerns. So far the section has intro- duced training courses in the giving of clear instructions ("‘job instructions'), the efficient organization of work (‘job methods') and in how to maintain good working relationships (job relations'). Training in accident prevention ("job safety') will be introduced later. These four courses are the internationally recognized pro- gramme of "Training Within Industry'. Firms are invited to nominate members of their staff for instruction as trainers at the