CO129-589-11 Port of Hong Kong- Report on future control and development 18-7-1941 - 10-10-1944 — Page 84

SOME COMMENTS ON A REPORT ON THE

FUTURE CONTROL AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PORT OF HONG KONG.

85

June, 1941.

The recent issue of a "Report on the Future Control and Development of the Port of Hong Kong", by the late Sir David Owen, has called attention to the fact that, with the approaching termination of certain pier leases, decisions will have soon to be taken regarding the "future control and development of the Port of Hong Kong", This is a matter that vitally concerns the future of the Colony and deserves the consideration of all.

•

While Sir David Owen's Report is nothing more than a recommendation to the Government, it may be used as the basis of. future legislation if no other opinion be offered. We believe that it is in the public interest that this Report should not be adopted without modifications, therefore we offer the following comments: 1. The Report proposes the formation of a Port Trust, but this

Trust is in reality nothing more than a Board of Control. Under its control, the piers and all harbour facilities would remain private concerns run for the benefit of the shareholders.

2.

3.

We submit that there is need of a genuine Port Trust, which would, own and operate all piers, godowns, ferry services and all other harbour facilities in the interests of the Community as a whole. The Trust would be financed by a share issue and would pay a fixed limited rate of interest.

This change with regard to Port management in Hong Kong is more in line with modern developments regarding public utilities.

4. The fact that the present Port rates are low does not necessarily

arise solely from the efficiency of the present system of private ownership. It is due primarily to the low cost of labour in Hong Kong.

5.

6.

The importance of Hong Kong in relation to future road and rail transport to the interior of China makes the development of its Port a matter of much more than private interest. It is necessary that long scale planning should be undertaken, and this is the work of a special Port Trust, endowed with powers similar to those held in the other leading ports of the British Empire.

In addition to the importance of the Harbour for the City's trade it is also necessary to consider the Harbour in its relation to the City's life, since the City is built around the Harbour. It is necessary therefore that the provision of ferries etc. should be under the control of the Port Trust and that reclamation of future areas should be considered from the point of view of the citizens and their housing and recreational needs as well as from the point of view of providing further shipping and warehousing facilities.

We submit therefore that all consideration of the future of the Port should be taken in conjunction with Town Planning and Land Development.

It is desirable therefore that a Land Development Trust should be formed at the same time as the Port Trust, and that their work should be co-ordinated by a body on which both would be represent- ed. The formation of such a body might well be the beginning of a much needed municipal government.

R. O. Hall

Bishop of Hong Kong

and others.