CO129-582-1 Administration of the port of Hong Kong 25-7-1939 - 20-1-1940 — Page 18

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I think it is clear that we should do all we can to

provide the Govr: with the experts he wishes to have.

k. As to the procedure to effect this, I feel that I

am not competent to advise.

The Ministry of Shipping is, I gather, principally

an ad hoc administration, concerned with war effort?

I doubt therefore if we would get much light or

leading from them.

Nor do I think that we should rely exclusively on the

C.Ags:. The primary point here is " administration"

and general port policy; engineering is subsidiary.

There might also--in view of the opinions expressed,

and the obvious probabilities as regards local views--

be difficulties later if experts were chosen on the

sole advice of the C.Ags:?

3. While I repeat that I do not feel competent to

advise as regards this question of procedure, it occurs

to me that the most likely source of really first-class

information and guidance is perhaps the Port of London

#1

Authority?. One wants weight" behind any recommendations

which may be made, for obvious local reasons.

4. I would therefore consult the B of Trade, suggesting

that the PA might perhaps be in a position to

assist in this matter. I see no objection to consulting

the C Ags: also. If the Ministry of Shipping is in

fact, technically, the proper governmental authority

to consult, I would substitute them for the B of Trade.

The 4th: anuary, 1940.

In normal times

theB.

4/140

this

aquation of hand was be for the Mercantile Karine Dept. of the B. of Trade, but that hass been totally absorbed by the think of Shipping, &, as the previous minutu day, that kint may findit difficult