CO129-618-7 Port Adminstation Inquiry Committee- report and minutes of meetings 1-1-1945 - 31-12-1946 — Page 86

CONFIDENTIAL

HONG KONG PORT ADMINISTRATION INQUIRY COMTITTEE

Comments by Mr. J. Joly, C.B.E., R.D., Harbour Master, Hong Kong, in response to an invitation to relate the views expressed in his memoranda considered by the Committee more closely to the Committee's Terms of Reference.

86

APPENDIX I (G)

4th October, 1946

"With reference to your letter No.25/581/1946 of the 30th September, 946, I have to say that there is not very much I can add to my various memoranda in the way of general observations, but I will set down my present views in the light of His Excellency's terms of reference.

(a) In my opinion the (wen Report represents a compromise

between a body having autonomous control of the Port and its facilities, and a voluntary "Committee" deciding the affail the smaller vested interests while leaving the njo port interests almost complete freedom of action.

(6)

As I have said before, the development projects are not original, but as assembled they are the best part of the Report provided, of course, they are all justified by the future requirements of commerce.

I feel that it would be extremely difficult to estimate the future tonnage of he world, for countries are disposed tɔ become more self-supporting and thus restrict the huge movement of goods which obtained in the past.

Also, vessels are being speeded up and ocean transports are increasing in size while more people are travelling by air.

It may well be that ambitious schemes may prove unnecessary, and the Port could well meet the future by allowing private enterprise to develop along agreed lines.

A Trust along the lines envisaged by the Owen Report would not, in my opinion, be in the public interest.

I know of no really serious deficiencies in the present system of administration, and I ascribe the present condition of "stalemate" to Government's undeclared policy with reference to Pier Leases. Normal development would have gone along but for the implied threat that the holders of pier licences might easily be deprived of their rights in 1949.

That alone 's quite a lot to do with the dilapidated piers along Connaught Road, and the "go easy" policy of the Godorm Companies who normally are most progressive and ready and willing to develop provided they have some form of assurance for the future.

(Continued)