53611/38
M
Downing Street.
2489
23rd February, 1939.
You will remember that you gave Morse and
Masson letters of introduction to me on the subject of
the Hong Kong University. They had a full preliminary
talk with Gent and Mayhew in December last, but owing
to the Secretary of State's preoccupation with the
affairs of Palestine he has not been able to see them.
I therefore saw them again today with Cowell when they
explained to us both the University's present financial
situation and the major question as to whether further
financial assistance from outside sources should not be
obtained in order to develop the University so that it
could play a predominant part in British policy in
China generally. The latter question raises
considerations of policy which naturally affect the
Foreign Office even more than the Colonial Office
•
SIR GEOFFRY NORTHCOTE, K.C.M.G.
while,