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leaseholders and enabling them to develop as they saw fit in
the future.
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coasting and
(72) So far as the larger ocean-going vessels are concerned, there would not seem to be any fear that private enterprise would not meet the situation if the leases were renewed, but it has to be remembered that there are other services
river that are not in such a satisfactory state as regards their accommodation. There are many piers that have been allowed to get into a bad condition, private enterprise not having dealt with them too kindly. Private enterprise may provide all that is necessary for a section of the trade, but fall short in other directions.
(73) I think that the doctrine of "laissez faire" well
describes what has been the attitude of the Government to the Harbour, and, taking everything into consideration, I am of opinion that, in the best interests of the community and of the Colony in its broadest sense as a source of supply of trade to the Empire at large, it is not desirable to allow matters to
remain as they are.
(74) The course (b) mentioned in paragraph 63, therefore, requires consideration, that is, whether some improved method of
Government control could be devised, One way would be to form a special Government department for the purpose of controlling the Harbour, with possibly an outside Body to advise on Port matters. There are not many Ports in the British Empire run by
the Government, in fact, I believe this is the case only in
South Africa where the Government there own and control all the
railways and harbours. A Minister of the Government is responsible and directly under him is a General Manager in charge of the railways and harbours. This system does not prove altogether satisfactory to the commercial community, although the Government
of the country is on a democratic basis and members of the
Legislature can air the grievances of their constituents. In Hong
Kong there is no form of democratic Government, that being