160
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.
No.15
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From:
(Continued)
Mr. J. Finnie,
The Taikoo Dockyard and Engineering
·Company of Hong Kong, Ltd.
Dated: 14th October, 1946.
I have your letter of 9th October and the Chairman's letter of 23rd September and have pleasure in submitting the following comments on the terms of reference of your Committee:
While there may have been a few weak spots in our Port Administration, it can be said that this Port has been developed successfully by Government and private enterprise, I see no reason why a continuation of this combined effort should not result in the efficiency of the Port being maintained and Port facilities being expanded. I am of the opinion that the setting up of a new department in the form of a Port Trust must increase the cost of operating the Port. With the working of docks and wharves in the hands of private enterprise I see no possibility of even a most efficient Port Trust having any scope for offsetting its administration costs by decreases in operational costs. With labour in this Port today receiving five or six times its pre-war rates of pay and our imported materials costing a great deal more than they did in 1941, we cannot afford to have a costly Port Trust which has little or no means of "paying its way".
It is suggested that Government Control be centralized instead of the control being in the hands of various depart- ments which are at present responsible for maintenance, etc. of the facilities of the work.
Closer and more effective co-ordination between Government, public and private interests could be obtained by having a Committee whose members represent all interests.
Colonial Secretariat, October 15, 1946.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.