CO129-582-1 Administration of the port of Hong Kong 25-7-1939 - 20-1-1940 — Page 8

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Portuguese, 164

originalasset which is the basis

of its than assete

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to the development of railway and transport facilities

in the interior of China, which will result in the

increased use of Hong Kong as a transhipping port.

Major Manners Company is, in fact, anxious to begin

work on an extensive rebuilding programme of their

wharves which take most of the deep-sea passenger

traffic and handle much of the cargo of the port.7

In this connection, it is perhaps worthy of

mention that from time to time reports are received

of first of all Chinese, and latterly Japanese,

endeavours to develop Whampoa as a port for deep-sea

vessels to oust Hong Kong. But it is doubtful

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whether Whampoa would ever constitute a serious menace

to Hong Kong, since it would be necessary to reproduce

artificially in Whampoa at almost prohibitive cost those

natural advantages which Hong Kong enjoys by virtue of

its geographical situation; and it is open to doubt

whether political considerations, however vigourously

pressed, could ever out-balance commercial consider-

ations of this order.

Finally, in recommending that the whole

question be investigated by an expert in port adminis-

tration accompanied by an experienced Harbour Engineer,

the Governor adds that in his view expense need not be

a consideration in this matter. This view is, I think

perfectly justified, even in present circumstances,

for it is true to say that the harbour, with its

attendant developments, is Hong Kong's only asset,

the proper

and private organisation and administration of the

port is therefore a matter of vital and over-riding

importance. For this reason I do not think that the

outbreak of war is an argument against the suggested

investigation

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It was one of number which was found in Nov. to have been held up in the H.K. section of the Registry, lam afraid I had assured that it had been dealt with during

me

absence

leave in June.

NISA.

investigation by outside experts, for although the

existing pier licences are not due to expire for

ten years it is essential that a decision

regarding their future should be taken soon; for

as the Governor says, otherwise the harbour's

development will be seriously prejudiced.

It will presumably be necessary first

of all to consult the Board of Trade before an

official reply is sent to this despatch, but it is

important to avoid any further delay as this file

has already very unfortunately been held up for

some months. Mr. Gent has, however, sent to

Sir Geoffry Northcote a private letter of explanation

and apology.

? We should send the duplicate of this

despatch, together with enclosures in original for

perusal and return, to the Board of Trade saying

that the S. of S. is disposed to agree with the

Cownership

tcontrol

MS

Governor's suggestion that the problem of the

Erharbor facilities future administration/of the port of Hong Kong

is one that ought properly be investigated by

outside experts, but that before replying in this

sense to the Governor the S. of S. would be grateful

for any observations which the Board of Trade may

have to offer.

And say that the S. of S. withRd

X

appreciate a reply at the earliest possible moment

(we ought perhaps to add a word explaining that thu

despatch was unfortunately overlooked in the C.0.);

and meanwhile, since it is likely that Sir Geoffry

Northcote is from time to time asked whether any

progress has yet been made at this end, it would

perhaps make his position easier if we wrote s.o.

saying that the matter is now receiving attention

and that we are in consultation with the Board of

Trade.

A. N. Sulsworthy

30th November, 1939.

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