15
h
with the academic world at home and with experience
in recruiting for academic work overseas. The
assumption that the University can dispense with
Professors of exceptional ability needs explanation,
and probably qualification, before it can be accepted.
6.
I should like to add here that my views on the
report taken as a whole should not be regarded as
Insting for the angry
A
implying that I disagree with all of its conclusions,
or indeed with any of them. There is a good deal
in the report which, to experts surveying the Univer-
sity, would be valuable as the expression of opinion
by obviously shrewd and sensible business men, whose
views deserve consideration.
7. It is much to be regretted that the report has
been published in the local press, and I
nope that all reference to it in the English press
will be discouraged. Its publication in England is
obviously undesirable. Its discussion by the Hong
Kong University bodies will produce comments that will
no doubt be stimulating and useful to an Expert Com-
mittee, if appointed.
8. If it is decided, as I hope it will be, to insist
on the appointment of an Expert Committee, I suggest
that the Governor should be informed as soon as
possible, in order to allay local uneasiness, to stop
agitation on the part of the staff, and to prevent
time being wasted over local discussion by Executive
or Legislative Council of action to be taken on the
Committee's report. No action of any kind ought to
be taken.
9.
Apart from an unnecessary and tactless reference
to the qualifications of the existing staff in
paragraph 73 on page 25 (which is inconsistent with