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(c)
(a)
(e)
The deficiencies which now exist could be remedied by Government arranging for the drawing up of a complete plan for port development in the widest form, and allocating to each project a ċefinite priority number for execution.
Various privately mod facilities should be asked to submit their plan, and if such conform to the general schere they should be authorized to carry them out in conjuction with general development schemes closely allied and interdependent to their own. Reconstruction work along Connaught Road should be carried out by private enterprise according to the plan, and where necessary Government might build replacement piers and let'hem to approved operators.
A Port Works Office on handle all minor works, and at the same time keep an eye on approved major works authorized in accordance with the Port Plan.
I advocate a strong Development Board representing all interests, whose first duty would be the drawing up of the agreed upon Plan.
Private enterprise must conform to this Plan, and all works should be under the direct supervision of the Port Engineer and his staff who would in effect, be the executive officers of the Development Board.
Iroblems arising in connection with port operation could be dealt with by a body similar to the Port Executive Committee, while the Development Board was concerned only with matters directly connected with its title and long- term planning.
On the other hand the day to day troubles of a large port could be attended to by a Marine Department represented on the Development Board; or the executive body for the plan drawn up by the Port Development Board could be a Port Commission as outlined in my previous memorandum in which case such Commission could take over the present function: of the Port Executive Committee. (Please see Page 9, "Notes", paragraph 7 and also Appendix 1 of my Memorandum).
I suggest a Port Development Board representing all interests, and with direct access to Government.
I cannot appreciate the necessity for a Trust when it is considered that port works of almost any size must be done by contract, and what is the difference between a Trust carrying hem out and private enterprise. so long as they conform to a Port Plan. If the Trust held large reclamation and engineering plant it would be different, for I feel that a Trust might prove costly to the Port especially considering that it would have to be a self- accounting body. Well directed private enterprise is invariably cheaper when it comes to construction than a quasi Government Department or Statutory Body.
(f) I know of no ideal system which could be said to meet the
case of Hong Kong placed as it is geographically, and with political and racial problems which have no parallel in size.
(Continued)