6 to Hongkong. Sava, 10. 1088-furol. to (5)
7
for
Cons. 16 NOV 1949
8
tel.1320
9-12-49.
(Ref. 6)
Mr. Campbell
? as in draft
Bölmen
12/1/2
To Hong Kong -tet 1870 -
20-12-49
Page
Page
ECONOMY LABEL
RE-USE OF
ENVELOPES
TO FASTEN. Fold this label along the dotted line. Affix it to the envelope so as to seal it and cover the old address (or address panel) and post marks.
OPEN by slitting along this edge.
ON HIS MAJESTY'S SERVICE
Ppt. Ltd.
Wt. Y13095. 5/48. (Lablot).
9. Sir A. Grantham 10. Sir A. Grantham
•
Mr Sidebotham
ided
ú
5-11-49.
Ref.9
22-11-49
there later
You will recall that Sir H.Poynton wrote, personally to the Governor of Hong Kong at to suggest that the time might have come for the creation of an Economic Secretary post in the Colony and to offer help if required in trying to find suitable candidate. (*he related minutes are in Part III of the file). The Governor's reply is now a
It encloses a copy of a memorandum prepared by Mr. Himsworth, before he let the Colony, about the reorganisation or the Imports and Exports Department, (which has since been renamed Department of Commerce and Industry).
2.
These papers are registered here because all this arose out of a suggestion in the Minister of Defence's report (Copy at (98) in Part II 5314 that appointments from outside the Colony might be made to advise the Governor about methods of expanding Hong Kong's trade. I think you will agree that papers about staff uestions in the Colony are somewhat inappropriately registered with Supplies Department, and would probably be better taken over by your Department or possibly C.S.J.
L
3. Mr. Himsworth's paper is very interesting. It explains that for a long time the Imports and Exports Department was concerned chiefly with runnin the opium monopoly. It subsequently took over administration of the taxes on tobacco, spirits and petrol, but it was only after liberation that its functions greatly expanded. In its new form it has been running somewhat parallel with the Department of Supplies, Trade and Industry, which was first set up by the military administration. Mr. Hinswor th proposed that to meet present day demands for closer control over imports and exports and for giving advice on new industries, keeping in touch with the commercial community and with trade
developments) cop abroad, the present departments should
be fused into a new Department of trade and Industry. It would have an Advisory Board containing members from the commercial world and also, under a Director
/Secretaries.