140
SCHEDULE "C"
(Copy)
HOTEL RATES ADVISORY COMMITTEE
REPORT.
1. The Committee was appointed on 3rd August, 1948, "to enquire
into and advise Government concerning the rates to be charged
for accommodation, food and services by hotels and boarding
houses throughout the Colony.'
2.
The Committee was composed of the Hon. P.S. Cassidy, Mr. F.G.
Maunder, F.C.A., Mr. J.M. Wong, Mr. Chung King-pui, Mrs. Morris
Comfort under the chairmanship of the Hon. T.N. Chau, O.B.E.
Mr. J. M. Tan, A.C.A. of Messrs. Wong Tan & Co., Chartered
Accountants, assisted the Committee as Professional Adviser.
Mr. P.F.J. Eardley was appointed Secretary. The duties of
secretary were transferred to Mr. R.S.W. Paterson when he
returned from leave on 4th October, 1948.
3. Since the Interim report dated 30th September, 1948, was
submitted we have continued our enquiries and now report in
4.
5.
full.
It is regretted that there has been a longer delay than the
Committee expected in submitting this report but it is pointed
out that :-
(a) The amount of data to be accumulated was considerable.
(b) The preparation and examination of accounts and returns
took a long time.
(c) Before coming to our final conclusions it was felt desirable
to await the impending return of Mr. Paterson who as
Quartering Authority had been associated with this problem
since the hotels had been derequisitioned.
It is quite obvious that in a report of this kind we can only
deal with broad principles. Cases of hardship either individual
or collective both in respect of residents and hotel managements
have been disregarded. It is our considered opinion that
opportunity to appeal against any accepted recommendations
should be given through whatever machinery Government may wish
to establish for the purpose.
1.