CONFIDENTIAL
HONG KONG PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMITTEE
Representations received in response to an invitation addressed to certain persons by the Chairman on 23.9.46.
No.4
From:
(Continued)
Mr. E. L. Groome,
Gibb, Livingston & Co. Ltd.
"In reply to your letter of 23rd instant, I would like to put forward my response to your invitation of expressing my views concerning the future administration of the Port of Hong Kong.
(a)
(16)
I consider the pre-war method of port control was very excellent and the Government must be con- gratulated on the smooth manner in which the port
was run.
However with changed conditions I do think it is now time that the Government were relieved to some extent of port control and consider it is now a good opportunity to establish some form of Port Trust as recommended in the Report of the late Sir David Owen.
The advantage of a Port Trust as against direct Government control are:
1. Direct representation to one body in all
matters dealing with the Port and everything appertaining thereto.
2.
The absence of Government ramifications.
Very few deficiencies exist at the present time but I do think the following systems could be improved
upon:
(c) 1.
2.
Pilotage. Immigration.
There is considerable room for improvement in the present system of Pilotage. I consider the hiring of pilots be removed from the control of a firm of Chinese stevedores who at present maintain the pilotage service. For example it is somewhat irksome when ordering a pilot outside office hours to be met by an illiterate Chinese which is often the case.
Pilotage for ocean going vessels is very necessary and I consider the service should be placed on a proper basis preferably in charge of a European Marine Officer -
(Continued)
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