3.
5
One fundamental principle must be appreciated. In this Fisheries Organization there are two units.
1.
A FISHE÷IES DEPARTMENT with technical and advisory staff who se primary functions are research with a view to expanding the fishing industry and utilizing its products most advantageously - and benevolent supervision of the fishing fleet. This Department, being a Government Department, will have adequate votes from Government to cover staff salaries, buildings, apparatus, research, etc.
2. A CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY with District Syndicates, a controlling Central Union and a wholesale Market. This Society has received a loan of $100,000 from Government which it will repay in a few months. The financing of this Co-operative is by means of a 6% commission charged on the wholesale auctions of fish.
Government can have no claim on the income of this Co-operative once the loan has been repaid. Government cannot expect the Co-operative to finance the Fisheries Department which must be a Government responsibility.
The income from the Market after meeting salaries of staff and running expenses of the Co-operative will be utilized for the following purposes, amongst others
1. Repayment of Government loan.
2. Establishment of sales organization in Canton
and other parts of China.
3. Construction of garage and fitters' shop.
4. Construction of stores.
5. Construction of a cold store and ice making
plant at the Kennedy Town Market.
6. Building of District Syndicate headquarters
at Aberdeen and Tai O and extensions at Cheung Chau.
7. Construction of a cannery and fish smoking and
curing station.
8. Purchase of a collecting vessel with deep-
freezing plant.
At the moment there is no hard and fast line between these two units and the second one is indebted to Government for the use of market, lorries, launches, etc., but it has delivered the goods and the services it has rendered and is rendering to the community justify Government's aid. The Director of Fisheries, as Chairman of the Central Union, will be in a position to interpret Government policy to the Co-operative and to exercise a supervisory control.
It is to be hoped that the imperial Government will implement its decision, vide the Young Working Plan, to rehabilitate the fishing industry of the Colony, now at considerably less tham half prewar strength. This rehabilitation can in part be carried out directly by the Fisheries Department in part by the Co-operative. It is clearly understood that should Government funds be administered by the Co-operative, complete supervision and control will be exercised by the Fisheries Department.