CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 83

4.

Port Government.

3

The system of port government in the chief ports of the world may be classified under five main heads:

2)

(1) State Control.

State Control.

Autonomous Control.

Railway Control.

Municipal Control.

Private Control.

The best example of complete State Control is to be found in the Dominion of South Africa where the Government directs the affairs of the whole of the ports and harbours through the "Railways and Harbours Board" appointed under the provisions of the Act.

In my opinion Hong Kong would eventually benefit by the Central Government retaining complete ownership and control of the dual services. It would

(i) enable the Colony to be developed by a

comprehensive and co-ordinated system

of port and railways construction without regard to immediate profits;

(ii) enable the general policy and framing of tariffs

to be directed in harmony with the broad policy of encouraging local industries;

(iii) better serve the interests of the community by

securing equality of treatment for all.

Its main disadvantage lies in the fact that, with oocasional exceptions, Government undertakings are not characterized by a high degree of enterprise due in a large measure to the lack of inducerent to inour risk, and the fact that initiative is not infrequently discountenanced by superiors who wish to pursue the even tenor of their ways. Nevertheless, the weakness is known and we ought to be able to correct it in Hong Kong. Personally, I favour "State Ownership" of all transport facilities (Airports, Ferries, Tramways and Buses) grouped under a strong Transport Board having statutory powers for I feel sure that nationalization of public utilities will be a feature of the post- war period.

(2) Autonomous Control. The usual autonomous control is in the form of a Port Authority with statutory powers and is frequently referred to as a Port Trust. Here again there is a wide diversity of practice,

e.g.

London. The Trust (Authority) owns and administers the

complete dock systems on both sides of the Thames, but it does not own the quays and wharves in the river which are private property. In regard to the river it dredges and deepens, raises wrecks and romoves obstructions, licenses lightermen and watermen but does not provide lighting or buoying. It owns certain warehouses.

Liverpool.

The Trust (Mersey Dooks and Harbour Board) owns and administers the wet dock systems of Liverpool and Birkenhead and is the Conservancy Authority for the estuary of the ersey. It dredges the bar and maintains the approved channels, and is responsible for the lighting and buoying of Liverpool Bay. It owns the landing stages in the river but does not work the ferries. It does a warehousing business but does not undertake the handling of goods at the quayside.