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East, particularly in Hong Kong. The movement of commodities, in and through the Colony, the direction of trade, and the roquiroments of industry would be of spocial" concern. The functions of this Section
uld be divided as follows:-
This
1. TRADE CONTROL: by cans of import and export licencos.
Would Do regarded as a temporary function with the exception of the few licences which arc necessary to control the move- mont of an. and ammunition, or dangerous drugs. This Section would eventually be closo own, should international conditions render the abolition of liconsint a feasible proposition,
11.
iii.
INDUSTRIAL SECTION: The object of this Section would be to survoy Hong Kon's various industrial activities. It would keep figures of local production and of costs and make compara- tive studies with industries overseas. It would make available to local industry information furnished by in ustries overseas.
In particular it would contact potential manufacturers. It" would be the Government department to which entrepreneurs wish- ing to set up new firms cr factories would contact in the first instance, for advico and information concerning factory logis- lation, trado regulations and possible factory sites. This would oliminate the presont practice of now manufacturers having to drift from one Government Department to another, sooking information.
Com-
The Board would be a puoling contro for all information from" the various sections of trade and industry in this"Colony. plaints would be airod and suggestions made for co-operation botwoon various types of commercial activity to the advantage of all.
It
ECONOMIC SECTION: would be responsiblo for the collection of
Information on the economics of all Far Eastern countrios. would diacominato such information oversoas, and in particular its reports on the changes in trado and the possiblo cenao- quences thero of would be made available for commercial firms. Information, oven where not required for immediate use, would be recorded in its library and no of the main functions of the section would be research into the economies of the Far East in general and into Hon; Kenga commerce and industry in particular. It would publish at intervals the results of such research which would be available for local commercial firms and overscas. Governments. It would be the eyes and ears of the local commercial world and the mouthpiece of the Colony on matters pertaining to its in'ustry, trade and commerce.
Τη afition it would be the normal Government liaison,
not only with local industry and commerce, but also with H.M. Trado Commissioners and the Commercial Counsellors of foreign Consulates. It would be the nurral channel for the inter- transmission of information betwoon Hong Kong and other countrios cxcept where those ware required by the Hoads of a foreign Gevorment whon auch information should be transmitted through ordinary channols of the Secretariat,
It would receive enquiries from overseas commercial house 8 and would answer such enquiries. It would place foreign enquirors in touch with local merchants.
It would be responsible for advertising the Colony in its commercial aspect in foreign countries. I would publish a commercial quide to Hong Kong and would organise exhibitions and fairs for the benefit of local manufacturers.
This section would also advise on rationing, and furnish information to the Government procurement agency on bulk supplies allocated on world quota, and would fix import and