CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 66

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NOTE.

I think the majority of the members should be other than Government officials, otherwise the Goverment might as well have lirect control. Although the unofficial members might be in a majority on a question, there would always be the independent Chairman to balance the situation if needs be, and, if he thought fit, to use his casting vote.

In any case, with the safeguards later provided, it does not seen that such a Body could do anything prejudicial to the interests of the Government or the Colony, even if it wished.

I have provided for all the appointments as Trustee to be made by the Governor who could always veto anyone if he thought him for any reason an undesirable person for the position.

Such a Body, carefully selected, should gain the confidence of the Government and of the commercial community. The members would in fact be Trustees for both.

As to the three Government officials to act as Trustees, the Governor would know who would be the most suitable. I can suggest the Director of Public Works as one likely official, but I think that if the Governor considers it wise to have the Navy represented a Naval officer should be one of the three and not an addition.

So far as the proposed Chairman is concerned, I do not consider that should prove a difficulty. It might be desirable to seek one from (reat Britain or some other part of the Empire, but not necessarily if there are suitable persons in this locality who are not actively engaged in business connected with shipping.

(a) The Trustees, other than the Chairman, to be unpaid, but the

Chairman who would be required to devote a large portion. of his time, though not perhaps the whole, to his duties, to be paid a suitable annual fee.

NOTE. I should think there are sufficient public-spirited men in Hong Kong who would undertake the duties of Trustee without any pecuniary remuneration. There was evidently no difficulty in getting persons to act on the Advisory Board and Committee.

(d) This Body of Harbour Trustees to remain in being for three years,

as an experiment.

NOTE.

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I make this suggestion as the idea of a Port Trust

is a new one for Hong Kong, and in certain quarters might be viewed with apprehension. A trial period of three years would enable the Trust to justify its existence, while the experience gained would show in what direction some modifications, if any, might be necessary.

To put it on a very low level, the Trust could do no harm in that period.

When established on a permanent basis, I would suggest that the appointment of Trustees should be in each case for three years, they all being eligible for re-appointment course at the discretion of the Governor.

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It might, however, be desirable to appoint the Chairman on more permanent basis.