CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 150

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMMITTEE

No.13

From:

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

(Continued)

Mr. John Fleming,

Messrs. Love, Bingham & Matthews.

Dated: 11th October, 1946.

"In response to the Hon. Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg's invitation to submit my views on the future administration of the Port of Hong Kong, I venture to male the following comments after reading the late Sir David Owen's Report in

●onjunction with the Terms of Reference to the present Committee.

"I had already read that report with the greatest interest, having on behalf of a client had the privilege in 1941 of discussing certain of these matters with the late Sir David and been able to form some opinion on the subject.

"It will be more convenient for you if I follow the clauses of the Terms of Reference as that procedure will doubtless be followed by others.

Reference

Advantages of a Port Trust.

(a) Staff. (1) Greater continuity, particularly of Seniors. At present the premier position is only a stepping stone to a higher appointment in the Public Works Department.

(2) Men: would be recruited for the specifio job with specialised training in home ports already to their credit.

(3) Members would be more likely to assimilate progressive ideas for up-to-date improvements from other ports.

Control of Shipping, whether of Harbour Craft, Ferries,

etc., Local Shipping, Junks and Coastwise, or of Ocean-going vessels, would all be better arranged by a trained expert.

Control of Harbour Services, i.e. Stevedoring lighterage,

etc. This is most important in keeping down coses of handling and should be fully understood by a permanent controller well versed in the ways of the port; a Civil Engineer temporarily seconded to the position cannot have these advantages.

Policy. Continuity is again all important as a long-

term policy is essential on all the foregoing matters. In the past we have had several schemes mooted by temporary Heads which have been allowed to languish by their successors, or these Heads, having promotion to higher rank in mind, had not the same drive.

(Continued)

Page 150Page 151