CO129-608-7 Future policy- Report on Port Administration by Sir David Owen 24-2-1941 - 24-2-1941 — Page 88

(c)

(a)

@

(B)

(f)

The dredging and deepening, as may be necessary,

of the fairways, anchorages, etc.

The regulation of ferry services.

The raising of funds for purposes connected with

the business of the Port.

The acquisition of land for the expansion and

development of the port accommodation, either by purchase or reclamation. (See (c):)

(1)

NOTES

Harbour development projects, involving land reclamation, wharf construction, etc., would, of course, first receive legislative sanction.

(2) I think the Melbourne Harbour Trust Act of 1912 would form a fair basis for the type of legislation required. The Trust consists of a paid chairman who devotes the whole of his time to the business of the Trust and, so far as I recollect, there are four commercial representatives, respectively, of the interests of the

This might Ship Owners, Exporters, Importers and Primary Producers.

be reduced by combining the import and export interests, and the appointment of three Government representatives would form a well balanoed Board.

6.

It should be borne in mind that although the Trustees would, in the first case be appointed by the Governor-in-Council, this procedure might be strongly opposed at a later stage as more Chinese capital was invested in post-war Hong Kong. In this connection there is the possibility of the Chinese Government taking a far vider interest in the coastal trade, with the consequent desire to play a more active part in the control of the affairs of the port. I envisage the eventual demand for a Port Eleotorate; in which case Chinese interests, both local and in China Proper, might easily result in a form of authority indirectly inimical to British interests. (Members of a Trust are usually elected by the votes of those who have an interest in the port.)

7. It might be possible to examine the formulation of a Port Commission (see Appendix I) which would constitute the desired "Directing Body" and yet leave the appointment of commissioners

Such a permanently in the hands of the Governor-in-Council. Commission might represent the interests outlined in para.5 NOTES.

(2) The Chairman would, of course, be assisted by a permanent Secretary and the powers of the Commission might be roughly defined as follows :

(a) To cause to be prepared a plan for the reconstruction

and development of the harbour front and be responsible for its exeqution.

(b) To have such Statutory Control over any repairing

operation, alteration, leasing and reconstruc- tion of docks, piers, slips, wharves, cranes and other apparatus and moorings, together with warehouses, transit sheds, etc., as may be necessary to ensure their proper construction, maintenance or development in the best interests of the port.