CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 178

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MINUTES OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, COLONIAL SECRETARIAT, AT 4 p.m. ON MONDAY, 9th SEPTEMBER, 1946

APPENDIX V (1)

PRESENT:

The Honourable Mr. T. M. Hazlerigg, C.B.E., M.C. (Chairman) Commander P. A. V. Gregory, D.S.C., R.N., (Representing

the Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong)

The Honourable Mr. V. Kenniff, Director of Public Works Mr. W. M. Thomson, Director of Supplies, Trade & Industry Mr. A. E. Perry (Representing the Manager of Railway) The Honourable Mr. D. F. Landale

The Honourable Mr. T. N. Chau, C.B.E.

Mr. C. C. Roberts

Mr. R. A. Wickerson

Mr. R. Y. Frost

Mr. Lawrence Kadoorie

Mr. Li Koon-chun

Mr. C. G. F. F. Melmoth (Secretary)

In attendance: Mr. C. J. Colman.

INTRODUCTION.

The Chairman introduced Mr. C. J. Colman, Chairman-designate of the Port Trust, to the members of the Committee and informed them that Mr. Melmoth, Secretary-designate of the Port Trust would act as Secretary of this Committee.

REASON FOR THE INQUIRY AND TERMS OF REFERENCE.

The Chairman said that in 1941 proposals in a report by the late Sir David Owen copies of which had been circulated to members of the Committee that a Port Trust should be set up, had been accepted in principle by the Executive Council. In June of this year the Secretary of State for the Colonios had intimated, in view of the changes and lapse of time since the Owen Report had bean considered by the Executive Council, that reconsideration of the main proposal for the creation of a Port Trust appeared to be necessary. The Secretary of State had pointed out that the importance of the Port in the Colony's economy, the social and political adjustments necessitated by the war and the constitutional changes which were now under consideration, clearly made it most desirable that all practicable methods of control and operation of the Port should be thoroughly investigated before any decisive step was taken, and the Chairman said that the terms of reference of the Committee called for an investigation on the lines required by the Secretary of State.

DISCUSSION OF PROCEDURE.

The Chairman said that at the request of the Government the Colonial Office had arranged for Mr. Colman and Mr. Melmoth to come to Hong Kong, so that they could assist in the further consideration of the Port Trust proposal and advise on alternative measures of reform which might be adopted in the event of the retention of Government control.

The Chairman remarked that he was unable to trace in Sir David Owen's Report the underlying reason behind his main proposal and he believed he was not alone in that difficulty. It was fortunate therefore that Mr. Colman's expert knowledge was available