CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 43

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In a preliminary discussion on Mr. Colman's remarks the

opinion was expressed, inter alia, that any necessary improvements

in administration might more simply be achieved by improving

co-ordination of the work of the Government departments concerned

and the setting up of an influential committee with specific terms

of reference to keep Harbour matters, including the views of

private interests, before the Government, and that such arrangements

would result in the advantages claimed by Mr. Colman for the Port

Trust form of administration.

The view was expressed that labour conditions would result in

the demand for mechanization of the Port and that if private

enterprise (which had in some cases already taken action to meet this situation) lagged behind the demand a Port Trust might

perform a useful service in providing mechanization.

10.

The views of Mr. A. Nicol, Executive Engineer,

Port Works Office, Public Works Department.

Mr. Nicol strongly supported Sir David Owen's proposals

believing that a Trust would be progressive in outlook, would be

prepared to approve a long-term plan and to carry it out, financing

capital works on the basis of receiving revenue sufficient to cover

maintenance and interest charges.

Mr. Nicol believed that Port development had been ineffectual

in the past because no person or body had been entrusted with the

duty of development and because there was no guarantee that & plan,

even if accepted by Government, would be adhered to and carried out,

partly by reason of fluctuating allocations from revenue and partly because the policy, being dominated by the Governor for the time

being, had changed from period to period.

Mr. Nicol doubted whether, if it should be decided to adopt

some form of control by a "Government dominated" Committee, this

to Committee would be allowed to draw up a plan of development, approve of a plan for, say, ten years, would be allowed to raise funds to meet the capital expenditure involved and would be accepted by the Government as the controlling authority over all the waters of

the Colony.