The Japanese occupation of parts of China and their
interference with communications of every sort has,
of course, substantially affected for the time being
the Colony's former air communications with China
proper.
The present scheme which the Hong Kong
Government is now preparing is designed to effect a
major development of the airport to equip it for
future possibilities of international air traffic
including increased weight of machines and increased
Zyninasssa longer runways for landing and taking
GY
off.
It is not contemplated, according to our
information, that the Air Ministry should be asked to
of the new scheme
contribute to the cost/in respect of the R.A.F. use
of the airport.
Lin
The development is justified simply
for the sake of commercial air traffic. I don't think
we have any grounds for questioning that the cost
should be met from civil funds. I agree with Mr. Bigg
that the Air Ministry, in respect of its civil aviation.
interests, should have the opportunity of commenting
on their proposed plans. Indeed, in respect of civil
aviation matters they must necessarily serve the same
sort of purpose as the Imperial Shipping Committee
serves in respect of port developments in relation to
future shipping requirements.
The Governor, in No. 1, merely sends us his
despatch and enclosures for information, and I should
feel inclined first to ascertain whether the Air
servations
Ministry have any objections before a reply is sent
either officially or semi-officially to the Hong Kong Government, and I therefore suggest that we should
proceed a in B of Mr. Greenhill's minute saying that
the S. of S. will be glad to have any comments which the Air Ministry have to offer on the proposed scheme
of