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companios operating under the Ferries Ordinanco; but that it was to bu understood that the official view was that agreement to renew the lease, possibly on a royalty basis, did not preclude the Goverment from adding to the cross-harbour transportation facilities or arranging for an alternative method of transport such as a tunnel. Sir Mark Young concurred in this view and remarked that he did not share Mr. Lang's opinion as to the political consequences of the linking of Hong Kong to the mainland by the construction of a tunnel.
4. Conditions in Hong Kong at present and policy to be followed in
the immediate future.
The Chairman invited Er. Alan Reid who had recently returned from Hong Kong to give an account of conditions in Hong Kong at the present time insofar as they concorned the operation of the port.
Mr. Reid said that in general the vharves in Hong Kong and Kowloon were in satisfactory condition, that the obstructions in the harbour did not seriously impede traffic, but that the West Point piers had deteriorated further owing to neglect and increasing age from their pre- war poor condition. So far light and buoy dues, and wharfage chargos, had not been collccted, but preperations were woll advanced to commence collection. The port operated under the direction of a Fort Executivo Committee, presided over by the Commodore and consisting of representa- tives of the Services with the Civil Affairs Administration, and Mr. Reid as the Ministry of War Transport Representative. A subordinate Port Working Committee also held ánily meetings to facilitate the routine working of the port. Mr. Reid said that these arrangements had worked well but the need had been felt for a senior official to give executive effect to the decisions of the Fort Executive Committee.
Mr. Roid gave it as his opinion that it would be desirable, when the period of Military Administration ended to continue to control the operation of the port by a Fort Executive Committee, modified in its constitution by the substitution of a Government Chairman and by the inclusion of representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and Shipping interests as members besides representatives of the Services; and thet during that time, the appointment of a Port Director would be desirable.
It was pointed out that legislation would be required to authorise such a body to work when a civil administration was restored and Mr. Roid was questioned as to why it was necessary to make these arrango ments, which necessitated participation by the Services in the control o the Fort, instead of the resumption by the Harbour Master's Department of its pre-war duties and powers pending the setting up of the Port Trus Mr. Lang emphasised that in his opinion development in the initial stago should be under the control of the Government, advised by the shipping interests, and that nothing should be done to prejudice the planned setting up of the Fort Trust.
Mr. Reid said that the present pressure on the facilities of the port which was likely to continue for some time; the increased use of the port by the Services; the fact that the Services were the only poople with facilities for continuing the rehabilitation work which they had bogun; and the fact that is was not possible yet for commercial interests to resumo cporations on a pre-war scale, were factors which warranted (a) the appointment of a Fort Director ână (b) the continution in a modified form of a Port Executive Committee, which he regarded as o dosirable intermediate stop towards the setting up of the Fort Trust.
Hr. Reid was asked how far the duties of such a Fort Director would fit in with those of the Secretary designate of the Fort Trust, and said that he regarded them as reparato appointments; the Fort Director would be concerned with the operation of the I rt's facilities, including the decision of priorities regarding berkhi: s; use of lighters and recon- struction; while the Secretary would be concerned with the general administration,
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