CO129-497 - Public Offices - 1926 — Page 373

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we may add to their number when we come to

marshall our reasons.

Yourvn

Blackandos

1.

The Canton boycott must end sooner or later and trade

will then tend to return to its natural channels. Hong Kong

will, in our opinion, re-establish complete control of the

ocean transhipment trade and will recover at any rate the

greater part of the coasting and river traffic.

2.

Developments at Whampoa and Canton are feasible but

will be costly. There is little likelihood of accommodation

being provided for ocean-going ships of deep draught. Improved accommodation may be provided for coasting vessels,

but the cost and the methods of Chinese administration will

almost inevitably make Canton a dear port.

3.

The general growth of trade is, in any case, likely to compensate Hong Kong for any traffic transferred to Canton.

4. A policy of gradual development of the harbour of Hong Kong is advisable since inefficiency at that port would

stimulate ventures at Canton.

5. We have come to the conclusion that the best situation for developments in Hong Kong Harbour is Hung-hom Bay. North Point is more suited for subsidiary development of an

industrial nature. Any development at West Point should only be of a provisional character to cope with immediate require-

ments.

6. A great increase of traffic at the Kowloon railway terminus, though anticipated by some whenever a connection is made at Canton between the Kowloon-Canton and Canton-Hankow

Railways, is, in our view, so problematic that we do not think it should be regarded as a determining factor when considering the location of development in the harbour. We have come to Our conclusion in favour of Hung-hom Bay notwithstanding this view.

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17.