24
and I think that it would be a mistake to take advantage of his offer.
3. My recommendation is that subject to Foreign Office concurrence, we should accept the position, that is, that the question of direct financial assistance from United Kingdom funds to the Hong Kong University should be deferred for the present, but on the understanding that the acceptance of that position in relation to the University will be without prejudice to the consideration of any other project we may have to put forward for direct United Kingdom financial assistance to Hong Kong e. g. the airport or possibly a housing or slum clearance scheme as the result of Sir Patrick Abercrombie's visit to the Colony in October next. In writing to the Treasury I would make the point that this is the second time on which the question of United Kingdom assistance towards the Hong Kong University has had to be postponed on account of a crisis (the first was on account of the war) that we are glad to note that the Treasury are sympathetic towards the proposal and that we hope that they will agree that it should be favourably considered as soon as the position here improves.
4. If the above view is accepted the immediate action will I think be:-
(a) letter to the Foreign Office proposing,
subject to their concurrence, to take the above line
(b) a telegram to the Governor in reply to
his enquiry at (36) explaining the present . position and saying that we hope to let him
have a definite decision in the very near future.
5. When we write to the Treasury I think that, in order to save time, it would be as well to enclose with the letter the draft of a telegram to the Governor of Hong Kong informing him of the decision (and promising further and favourable consideration of the question when the financial position here improves) and saying that he will no doubt consider in conjunction with the University authorities concerned what action it is necessary to take in the meantime in order to re-establish the University on a less extensive basis than was originally contemplated and let us have proposals. The telegram might, I think, suggest that the proposals should take account of the possibility of United Kingdom financial assistance becoming available at some future date to enable the University to be extended on the lines proposed by the Committee.
}
14.8.47.