CO129-589-11 Port of Hong Kong- Report on future control and development 18-7-1941 - 10-10-1944 — Page 119

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Note. I think the majority of the members

should be other than Government officials, otherwise the Government might as well have direct control. Although the unofficial members might be in a majority on a question, there would always be the independent Chairman to balance the situation if needs be, and, if he thought fit, to use his casting

vote.

In any case, with the safeguards later provided, it does not seem that such a Body could do anything prejudicial to the interests of the Government or the Colony,

even if it wished.

I have provided for all the appointments as Trustee to be made by the Governor who could always veto anyone if he thought him for any reason an undesirable person for the

position.

Such a Body, carefully selected, should gain the confidence of the Government and of the commercial community. The members would

in fact be Trustees for both.

As to the three Government officials to

act as Trustees, the Governor would know who would be the most suitable. I can suggest the Director of Public Works as one likely

official, but I think that if the Governor considers it wise to have the Navy represented

a Naval officer should be one of the three

and not an addition.

So far as the proposed Chairman is concerned, I do not consider that should prove

a difficulty.

It might be desirable to seek