CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 45

CO129 Colonial Office Hong Kong Records 理藩院香港檔案 All

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Mr. Jolly thought that the Director of Marine might be

Chairman of the Port Commission and as such be the link between

the Directorate, the Commission and the Government. He envisaged

the ultimate development of the Commission into an autonomous Trust

oming and operating all the port facilities.

As an alternative Mr. Jolly suggested that past deficiencies,

which he attributed to the lack of a declared policy, might be

remedied by Government drawing up a complete plan for Port develop-

ment in its widest form and allocating priorities to the execution

of approved works. He advocated the setting up of a strong

Development Board to prepare this plan and would make the Port

Engineer the Executive Officer of this Board for the execution of

minor works and the supervision of authorized major schemes.

Problems arising in connection with port operation would, under

this alternative, be dealt with either by a body similar to the Port

Executive Committee, or by a Marine Department which would be

represented on the Development Board.

Mr. Jolly sounded a warning that post-war shipping developments

may render unnecessary any ambitious schemes. The point of this

warning is emphasized by the Colony's experiences in the past.

13.

Mr. Colman's suggestions as to alternatives to a Port Trust.

Mr. Colman suggested two alternatives to the proposals for a

Port Trust as outlined by Sir David Owen:

(1) That for a Port Trust having only powers of control a

full-time salaried Chairman would not be necessary

and he would recommend a nominated official Chairman,

i.e. an officer already in the service of Government. (2) That a separate department should be set up in the

Secretariat under a Secretary for Transportation who

would control the Port, the Railway, Civil Aviation

and Road Transport. Each of these sections would have

a Director as its Administrative Head and would prepare

its own budget and keep separate accounts.

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