CO129-554-5 Commission of Enquiry into the Hong Kong trade depression- correspondence and report 27-3-1935 - 11-8-1935 — Page 166

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Honourable Colonial Secretary,

In accordance with the usual procedure the Economic

Commissioners in presenting their report recorded their appreciation of the services rendered by the Secretary Mr.

Hawkins and of his assistants in the rather general terms

customary in such documents. They decided to leave me to supplement this reference by an individual report to yourself.

I have great pleasure therefore in emphasising the part

Mr. Hawkins took in facilitating the Commissioners work by

summarising and tabulating documents and by direct research. This was all the more difficult as no continuous trade records

have been kept until very recently.

Mr. Hawkins undertook the very difficult and complex

chapter on Water, and the Commissioners are also indebted to him for Chapter 15 on Miscellaneous Problems and for the two

Confidential Chapters.

I am voicing my own opinion as well as that of the Commissioners in submitting that the experience and knowledge acquired by Mr. Hawkins in this work will render him more valuable to the Administration than ever, particularly as he is a comparatively junior officer with many years of service

ahead.

As it is the usual practice when officers undertake a serious task of this description in addition to their normal duties to accord tangible recognition to their efforts I trust the tradition will be maintained in this instance.

(Sd.) M. J. Breen,

Chairman,

Economic Commission,

22nd February, 1935.