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5. DISCUSSION ON MR. COLMAN'S REMARKS.
In the discussion which followed Mr. Colman's address to the Committee, the following were the points considered and the opinions expressed:
a.
C.
d.
Mr. Colman's view that the Port Director need not have
previous experience of port administration was questioned, and it was asked how in such circumstances he could be expected to give authoritative advice so as to ensure that the Port Trust adopted a progressive policy in port development.
Mr. Colman was of the opinion that general administrative experience was of more importance and cited the example of Calcutta where the Chairman of the Port Trust had previously been concerned with railway administration. He said that the Port Director would be assisted in technical matters by the Chief Engineer and the Marine Officer, and on matters of major importance specialist advice would probably be sought.
Would it be desirable to have a Secretary for Transportation
even if a Port Trust were formed.
Mr. Colman thought that the Transportation Secretariat would not have sufficient matters to deal with as to justify its existence if a Port Trust were constituted.
Was it anticipated that a Port Trust or a Secretariat for
Transportation would have executive powers so as to enable it to plan and carry out development works and to make the necessary financial arrangements.
Mr. Colman said he would not expect a Secretary for Transportation to have these powers but that the Port Trust would eventually have such powers but subjeot in certain cases to Government veto.
Was the Port under-developed and would a Port Trust be
required to plan for the provision of additional piers, possibly with a view to minimizing loading and unloading in the stream.
It was remarked that the Port was now handling about a quarter of the maximum tonnage which could be dealt with, and the facilities if in normal condition were probably adequate to cope with tonnages which could be expected, unless any very large increase in the railway traffic resulted from schemes under consideration.
It was thought that the working of ships in the stream was more suitable for some transhipment trade and for deliveries to the smaller godowns, and that development would more probably take the form of rehabilitation and renewal of existing facilities, together with the provision of additional equipment. Mr. Colman was of the opinion that the Yaumati Typhoon Shelter could be developed for the handling of junk cargoes to a much greater extent than was the case at present.
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