CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 44

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11. Representations opposing the

establishment of a Port Trust.

Nos.3,5, 6,8,12, 15,19,20, opposing the establishment of a Port Trust. 25.26.

The Committee received letters from ten persons and concerns

Throughout these ran the conviction that the creation of a

Port Authority would involve additional expense which would have

to be borne either by the taxpayer or by shipping interests.

While there was some recognition that there had been week

spots in Port administration in the past there was also recognition

that the Port had been developed successfully by Government and

private enterprise and that no such marked improvement could be

expected from administration by a Port Trust as would warrant the

creation of such an Authority.

Several correspondents advocated the formation of a Port

Advisory Board or Committee but the need was stressed for well-

defined terms of reference, direct access to the Government and

the acceptance of the principle that the recommendations of the

Board or Committee, subject to Government approval, should be carried

out by order of the Government.

12.

The views of Mr. J. Jolly, C.3.E.. Harbour Master.

Mr. Jolly is opposed to the formation of a Port Trust with the

duties suggested by Sir David Owen. He considered that the removal

from the Harbour Office of the work of the Ships Survey Office, the

Shipping Master's Office and the Marine Court, would cause

inconvenience to shipping, a reduction in efficiency and an increase

in expense.

Mr. Jolly advocated the change of the Harbour Department into

a Directorate of Marine, which would be responsible for the day to

day working of the Harbour from the marine point of view.

He expressed the opinion that a Port Commission might be set up

as a Directing Body charged with the functions of the existing Port

Executive Committee and the general control of the use of port

facilities and also be responsible for the planning and execution of

a development and reconstruction programine.