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10. Further, we are of the opinion that an endeavour should be made by British air interests in conjunction with Chinese interests to establish a Sino-British Company for the purpose of linking the trunk route with China's domestic services and running in conjunction therewith.

Chapter XIII.

TOURIST TRAFFIC.

1. From some of the earliest historical records we find that the characteristics of human kind, inquisitiveness, love of beauty, and desire to spend leisure comfort- ably, have first caused people to wander abroad and secondly to establish pleasure resorts. When Hong Kong first became a Colony it was by no means a pleasure resort, but the energy and foresight of the early Colonists have awarded us with Hong Kong as she is to-day, beautified by man's skilful guidance of natural beauty and rendered comfortable by the use of the most modern scientific discoveries. It is no wonder therefore, that tourists on first seeing Hong Kong become silent with admiration. With some, however, the second impression is disappointing and we have often heard the remark that "Hong Kong is a lovely place, but what a pity there is so little to do ". Others have been surprised that Hong Kong has not been more widely advertised.

2. With these remarks and the fact of the depression in mind we have endea- voured to explore the possibility of (a) Hong Kong becoming more widely known as a first class winter resort and (b) the making of Hong Kong more attractive to those who require more than to gaze on our natural scenery during the day and retire at an early hour at night.

3. To those residing for any length of time in the Colony there are, of course, many outdoor attractions such as riding, yachting, golf, tennis, cricket, football, bowls and bathing. There are also a number of social institutions to which the resident may belong. Most of these amenities are, however, not available for the visitor whose stay is too short for the formalities attendant on joining clubs and other institutions but who requires a variety of distractions which together go to the making up of what is usually known as a "good time".

4. While it is plain that no sudden transformation of Hong Kong to a paradise for holiday makers can be made, without the expenditure of considerable sums of money, we feel it necessary to initiate the idea that there is no reason whatever why gradual planning should not make Hong Kong more attractive. We are also of the opinion that there should be organised advertisement of the attractions of the Colony and some endeavour to open to visitors (with proper safeguards) many of the means of recreation at present closed to them.

5. After hearing important evidence relating to this question and having dis- cussed the matter ourselves we decided to address an interim report to the Govern- ment as follows:-

6. The Commission are strongly of the opinion that the Government would be well advised actively to encourage tourists whether from Overseas or from China. They maintain that Government should sponsor the development of tourism and should afford some financial aid for such development as is done in the United Kingdom and elsewhere. The Commission is apprised of the fact that there is scarcely a Political entity having attractions to offer to tourists and holiday makers which does not make organised effort to encourage visitors. In many countries, apart from national organisation, municipalities each have their own organisations for the encouragement and promotion of amenities for the visitor and for the issue of suit- able propaganda calculated to attract the visitor from abroad to the areas which they administer.