CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 107

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The Chairman said he had seen the papers referred to and he was satisfied that there was no reason why the Star Ferry Co. should cancel or delay their rehabilitation programme; he confirmed that it was still intended to recommend the renewal of the pier lease but on terms bringing that concern more closely into line in the matter of royalties with other companies operating under the Ferries Ordinance; but that it was to be understood that the official view was that agreement to renew the lease,possibly on a royalty basis, did not preclude the Government from adding to the cross-harbour transporation 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.

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Conditions in Hong Kong at present and policy to be followed in the immediate future.

The Chairman invited Mr. Alan Reid who had recently returned from Hong Kong to give an account of conditions in Hong Kong at the present time in so far as they concerned the operation of the port.

Mr. Reid said that in general the wharves 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 charges, had not been collected, but preparations were well advanced to commence collection. The port operated under the direction of a Port Executive 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 Fort Working Committee also held daily 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 affect to the decisions of the Port Executive Committee.

Mr. Reid 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 Port 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 that during that time, the appointment of a Port Director would be desirable.

It was pointed out that legislation would be required to authorize such a body to work when a civil administration was restored and Mr. Reid was questioned as to why it was necessary to make these arrangements, which necessitated participation by the Services in the control of 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 Trust. Mr. Lang emphasised that in his opinion development in the initial stage 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 Port Trust.

Mr. Reid said that the present pressure on the facilities of the port which was likely to continue for some time; the inoreased use of the port by the Services; the fact that the Services were the only people with facilities for continuing the rehabilitation work which they had begun; and the fact that it was not possible yet for commercial interests to resume operations on a pre-war scale, were factors which warranted (a) the appointment of a Port Director and (b) the continuation in a modified form of a Port Executive Committee, which he regarded as a desirable intermediate step towards the setting up of the Port Trust.