CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 145

No.6

150

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMMITTEE

Representations received in response to an invitation addressed to certain persons by the Chairman on 23.9.46.

(Continued)

From: Mr. Leung Yew,

Managing Director,

Messrs. Wang Kee & Company.

Dated: 1st October, 1946.

"I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 23rd September, 1946, and give you hereunder my views in a concise form:

The

"I am not certain that the advantages as pointed out by Sir David Owen would surpass the disadvantages. advantages cannot be had without an enormous Port Administration, which means more expense, more red tape, more staff and more taxation upon shipping and cargo. I, therefore, deem it not in the interest of the public to have a Port Trust. Hong Kong has always enjoyed the privileges of being one of the freest and cheapest ports in the world conducted with reasonable efficiency. Why not let it continue to enjoy these privileges? A Port Trust would also clash with public or private interests in many ways.

"As an alternative, I would like to suggest that commercial shipping interests that is Ocean, Coast, River, Harbour Shipping, Ship Repairs and Stevedoring interests and commercial flying interests ought to have a fuller representa- tion in matters concerning the Port. The Harbour Department ought to be assisted by a representative Advisory Board in order to advise the Harbour Department on all matters affecting commercial interests.

"I believe the above would give better results, greater efficiency and would involve less expense and would probably be more in line with present day public sentiment which is strongly averse to bureaucratic administration."