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Board of Communications citing the precedent of the Postal
Administration, referred to above. But, apart from the
question of expenditure, until a trained staff, competent
to administer efficiently the Lights' Service, is forthcoming
it is obvious that a serious situation, closely affecting
International Maritime interests, might arise if a change in
the administrative system materialises. In other words,
the provision of a trained staff should precede the transfer
of control, and not vice versa. It should be considered, on
the other hand, that the Customs' management of the Light's
Service, while highly desirable, is nevertheless in the
nature of an anomaly!
It is difficult, indeed, to defend
it logically; or to upset the argument that if the transfer
of the Postal Administration (also entirely organised and
developed by Sir Robert Hart) from the control of the Board
of Finance (and the Inspectorate of Customs) to the Board
of Communications of 1911 was justifiable, the corresponding
transfer of the Marine Department (and the Lights' Service)
is likewise justifiable. The question came up for discussion
once more last year and again this Spring, and is still under
consideration. The Inspector General, of course, is exercis-
ing every possible endeavour to dissuade the Government from
sanctioning the transfer, and the Minister of Finance is
supporting him; but there is no certainty that their combined
efforts will be successful. The Board of Communications
fortify their argument by the assertion that they will not
disturb the existing foreign Staff in the Marine Department,
and will guarantee that every Light will continue in the
future, as in the past, to burn brightly;
that the change
proposed.....