CO129-582-3 Proposed reorganisation of government printing arrangements 12-5-1939 - 8-11-1939 — Page 4

*

جھے

A baine

Yo.

DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE Reminder to (.)

*

Mr. Gent.

13.10.39

It is a maxim in the printing world that only

4

by working its machines at full capacity can a printing

establishment be run on an economic basis. Skilled

maintenance of the expensive and in many cases delicate

machinery is essential; much of the work is of a highly

technical character for which qualified operators are

required; a good costing system is important; and the

purchase and issue of stores and equipment require competent

supervision. According to Mr. Paterson (of the Hong Kong

P.W.D.) who discussed the Prison Printery with me some time

ago, at the instance of Mr. Caine, the Printery is

lacking in all these essentials and is run on extravagant

lines. The only alternative to the existing printing

arrangements in Hong Kong seemed to me to be the establishment

of a Government Printing Press in charge of a competent

In

printer with a sound all-round knowledge of printing,

assisted by a qualified technical staff for the more

important work and the proper maintenance of the machinery

(there are similar establishments in other Dependencies).

the circumstances I would have strongly advocated the setting

up of a Government Press, but the existence in Hong Kong

of the old-established reputable firm of Noronha & Company,

who have been Government printers for a long time, puts

a different complexion on the matter and provides two

alternatives for the Colonial Government

-

(1) Contracts with the Company for all Government

printing, as mentioned by Sir G. Northcote.

(2) That favoured by Sir G. Northcote, namely, the

transfer to the Company of the machinery in the

Prison