July 31st, 1945
25.
171
Dear Gent,
I have thought most carefully over the invitation extended to me in Your 54147/45 of 28th July to act as Chairman of the proposed Hong Kong University Committee, which I very much appreciate. My personal views, however, render it impossible for me to accept, and I will endeavour very briefly to explain them.
I was extremely worried in 1936 to find how little real interest the Hong Kong Chinese took in the University. There was no pride in it, and I failed utterly to get to Tung, Sze-Kwong Chow, Eu Tong Sen, Aw Boon Haw, Ho Kam Tong &c. to lend it any financial or other practical support. They were far more interested in the new university near Canton (Kwangtung or some such name) and the university founded by Dr. Lim Boon Keng (near Hankow, I think - please forgive my Singapore memory!). The reason patently lay in their preference for a Chinese-inspired, Chinese-run institution over one originated by the 'Red-haired'. The gravity of the position centred, of course, in the facts that Hong Kong is far too small a territory to absorb the output of a University and that China, in her modern nationalistic mood, gives preference to the alumni of her own universities in making governmental, professional, and business appointments on the mainland.
I have no doubt that if (it has long been a pretty big IF) the Hong Kong University is to have an assured future, it must look for the major part of its revenues, endowments, and patronage to the local Chinese: the Colony could not afford (or, if it could afford, justify) financing it from taxation as a State institution. Nor would such complete dependence on the Treasury, even if feasible, be compatible with the rightful status of a University. Reconstitution, temporarily, by a necessarily entirely non-Chinese committee in this country would, in my judgment, fatally prejudice its chances of getting the local Chinese support - successful and permanent, financial and otherwise - essential to a resurrection. It would be better that the University should never have reopened other than having to be closed down. The Chinese must, I consider, be brought in on the ground floor of any rehabilitation.
Moreover, Your letter states that immediate reconstruction of the University will be necessary "in order that it be in a position to meet those urgent demands that will be made on it for doctors, teachers, and other qualified persons to assist in restoring normal conditions".
Yours,
...
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July 31st, 1945
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25.
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Azar Gent,
in
I have thought most carefully over the invitation extended to me Your 54147/45 of 28th July to act as Chairman of the proposed Hong Kong University Committee, which I very much appreciate. My personal views however render it impossible for me to accept, and will endeavour very briefly to replain them.
little real interest I was setremely womed in 1936 to find how
very the Hong Kong Chinese took in the University. There was no pride in it and I failed utterly to get to Tung, Skon Son Chow, En tone Sen, Aur Boon Haw, Ho Kam Tong &e & to lend it any prancial or other practical support. They were far more interested in the new university near Canton (du Ngan or some such name) and the university founded by Dr Lim Boon Keng (near Hankow, I think - please forgive me Singapore memory!). "The reason patently lay their preference for a Chinese-inspired Chinese-nin institution over one originated by the 'Red-haired". The gravity of the position centred of course in the facts that Hong Kong is far too small a teritory to absorb the output of a University and that China in her nodem nationalistic mood gives preference to the alumni of her
rechurical own universities in making. Governmental, professional, and business appointments on the mainland. I have no doubt that if (it has long been a pretty big IF) the story Kong University is to have an assured future it must look for the major part of its revenues, endowments and patronage to the local Chinese: the Colony could not afford (or, if afford, justify) tinmancing it from taxcation as a State institution. Nor would such complete dependence on the Treasury, even if feasible, be compatible with the rightful status of a University. Reconstitution, temporary, by a necessaris entirely non. Chinese committee in this country would in my judgment fatally prejudice and chances that there may be of getting the local Chinese support,
successful and permanent financial and otherwise, essential to a resurection. It would better that the Universit should never
spot kopen other than having reopened, have to be autor closed down. The Chinese must, I consider, be brought in on the fround floor of any rehabilitation.
even
Moreover
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may
Your letter states that immediate reconstruction of the Universit will be necessay "in order that it be in a position to meet those urgent demand that will be made on it for doctors, teachers, , and other qualified persons to assist in restoring normal conditions".
How Love
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