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(4) The Trust might be of powerful assistance to Government in
connection with such representations as might be made
by the Hong Kong Government to the Home Government
concerning the resumption of Naval and Military lands.
(5) Continuity of responsibility would be assured, the same
people keeping a continuous watch over the interests of
the Port and seeing that their resolutions were put into
effect without undue delay, thus ensuring that the
efficiency of the executive staff was maintained.
(6) The closest watch would be exercised over the financial
position.
(7) The Trust would be able to formulate a long-term policy for
putting matters right and achieving progressive improve-
ments, particularly where there had not been the
necessary capital for financing private enterprise.
Mr. Colman considered that two points alone were sufficient to
justify Sir David Owen's conclusions, namely:
(i) that the Port Authority should keep separate accounts, and
(ii) that there should be a separate Port Engineering Department
with its own budget and therewith a chance for future
planning.
He also mentioned that control by Government would be a
bureaucratic control and thus undesirable.
Mr. Colman envisaged the formation of a separate department to
deal with the enforcement of the Merchant Shipping Ordinance and the
Board of Trade rules work which could not be carried out by a Port
Trust which would be representative of the shipping community. He
also listed other duties, such as those of the Ship Surveyor's Office,
the Marine Magistrate, the Examination of Masters and Mates, which
the Trust should not undertake. He considered that the severance
could be effected without incurring additional expense and would
leave the Marine Officer of the Trust free to concentrate on his
technical duties.
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