'.
(21)
(22)
A
2846
In view of my imminent departure and the fact that
I shall not be able to discuss this matter with the
Secretary of State until the day before I leave
London I record the following view.
Mr.Sloss, who appears to be an admirable
selection for the vacant post of Vice Chancellor,
"will only accept....if left a free hand regarding
the implementation of the report. See Officer
Administering the Government's telegram of 9th
August which generally appears to me to indicate that
Mr.Sloss is aware of the proposal to appoint an
outside expert and does not like it. His views on
the point might usefully be ascertained.
If he objects, I consider that no such
appointment should be made at the moment but that he
should be requested to furnish a special report on
the University's future organisation in, say six
months time. If he welcomes the proposal, I see no
reason against its being put into action.
If he is neutral, I recommend that such an appointment
be deferred until, after his arrival, he can express
a definite opinion on the point.
I conceive that unofficial opinion in
Hong Kong on the appointment,if made now against
Mr.Sloss' wishes,may well be that it reveals a wish
to side-track the report, with the results
foreshadowed in Mr.Smith's despatch of July 29th.
a D. horthanto
11/9/37