M
11
The Gent. The British Council have had to
consult Sin
Sir John Pratt - M of I-
awaiting his uply
DESTROYED UNDER STATUTE
21. Rhodes Trusi
جه بکه
tare
24/9/40. Wit Wank
Tel. 574 comf
5.9.00
17.9.400
The Hong Kong Government are in favour of Sir Geoffry Northcote's suggestion No. 2 as set cut in 19,in spite of the warning we gave in that telegram that the Trustees might find a particular difficulty in approving that form of assistance.
Possibly if the Rhodes Trust still prefer one or more studentships at Oxford as being more in keeping with Rhodes principles, we could persuade the British Council to help us with post-graduate studentships for Chinese at Hong Kong University.
It may be as well to consult Sir Geoffry Northcote about 22, with the idea that we should write to Lord Elton in pursuance of 20 enclosing a copy of 22 and saying that we should be grateful if the Trustees can see their way to offer assistance to the University at Hong Kong on the lines preferred in No. 22; failing that if we could be informed of any alternative means of assistance which they would find it possible to pursue.
not
or
From Mr. Danby's minute above it will be seen that we have so far made much headway with the British Council, but what I have been hoping Mr. Danby will be able to depend on is the Foreign Office s.o. letter in 42 in 53611/39 in which, by that indirect channel, the British Council communicated their willingness "in principle" to make a grant of £1,000 for scholarships at Hong Kong University during the year 1940/41 subject
We to H.M.G.'s decision on the question of policy. replied to the Foreign Office expressing our belief that if the Council were to confirm this offer it would be gratefully accepted by Hong Kong and from that moment (5th December, 1939) we have heard nothing more. For the present I should be inclined to concentrate on the Rhodes Trust: and fall back on the British Council when we know what the Rhodes Trust will offer us.
Exprent.
25.9.40.
Curv Cay
2669
It will be seen from Mr. Danby's note
opposite that the British Council have taken the advice of Sir John Pratt, the Head of the Far Eastern Department of the Ministry of Information. I am not at all clear as to Sir John Pratt's locus standi in this matter still less as to the grounds on which he has apparently advised the British Council against taking action on a Hong Kong matter without consulting
us.
The next meeting of the Rhodes Trust, was to take place at the end of September, and I therefore submit a draft to Lord Elton on the lines suggested in Mr. Gent's minute of the 25th September.
WB3L Tumon.
27.9.40