Sessional_Paper_1946 — Page 90

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(b) No representations were made to the Committee that any deficiencies exist in the present arrangements for the day to day administration of the Port from the marine point of view.

(c) That certain physical deficiencies and defects now exist in port facilities,

notably that

(i) certain piers have been allowed to fall into decay (particularly in

Western Victoria and in the Yaumati Typhoon Refuge);

(ii) the Yaumati Typhoon Refuge is becoming silted up;

(iii) certain piers and landing places are inappropriate or inadequately

equipped for present-day needs;

(iv) great congestion exists on parts of the water front in the Central and

Western portions of Victoria.

The Committee is of the opinion that the remedying of these deficiencies and defects is dependent upon the decision of Government où four matters of policy, namely,-

(1) the renewal of pier leases, or the grant of new leases;

(2) the further reclamation of land in Central and Western Victoria; (3) the filling in, or alternatively the dredging, of the Yaumati Typhoon

Refuge; and

(4) the preparation of an overall plan for the development of the Colony. The Committee is of the opinion that early decision and action to implement such decision on the first and second of these matters by Govern- ment is of the utmost importance.

With regard to the third, the selection of an alternative site for the Typhoon Refuge in the event of a decision to fill in the Yaumati Refuge presents certain problems and may involve delay owing to the need for wind tests over a considerable period. Government should therefore make investigation of the problems involved a matter for its immediate concern.

With regard to the fourth matter, in paragraph 6 of this report and in an interim representation, the Committee has already expressed its views as to the urgent need for an overall plan for the development of the Colony.

Though certain points arising on the various schemes which have been submitted to Government have been brought to the knowledge of the Committee, we have not, with the above exceptions, regarded it as within our province to deal with such points in this report.

(d) That any requisite co-ordination between the Government departments concerned with the Port and the necessary representation of the shipping and other interests concerned could be attained by the formation of a Port Committee.

(e) That the constitution of the Port Committee should be as follows:

The Director of Public Works, the Manager of Railways and the

Harbour Master.

One Naval Officer.

Three persons interested in the trade of the Port and nominated by the General Chamber of Commerce, two to be British subjects and one to be representative of interests other than British or

Chinese.

One person interested in the trade of the Port to be nominated by

the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

The Committee to appoint its Chairman from among its own members. The Committee commends the following suggestions to the considera- tion of Government:

(1) That if and when a Municipal Council is constituted, a further member should be added to the Committee on the nomination of the Council, and that a member of the Committee should be nominated as a member of the Council if constitutionally feasible. (2) That a second Chinese member should be appointed by the Governor

as was suggested to the London Consultative Committee.

It is con- sidered that a Chinese representative of stevedoring interests would be a valuable addition to the Committee.

(f) That the Port Committee, through its Chairman and/or the Harbour Master as the Executive Officer in matters of Port control, should have direct access to Government for the purpose of making representations

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