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3. I hope that this will clear the ground so far as the
long term political aspect of our proposals for the
University is concerned.
Turning now to the other point
fully appreciate
mentioned in your letter, we can understand your concern as
to the possible extent of our commitments in the Far East. In foot We ourselves gave much thought to this aspect of our
proposals before putting them to the Treasury in April.
it was then, and still is, our conviction that the
expenditure involved is justifiable, even in these times of
financial stringency. I need not repeat here the grounds
But
for this view, which I gave in my letter to Gilbert of the
12th April. But I might perhaps explain in greater detail
why we feel a decision on our proposals to be a matter
of pressing urgency.
1
In
4. In the first place, it is now nearly two years since
the liberation of Hong Kong, and just one year since the
University Advisory Committee presented the report on which
our proposals are based. During this time the University
has been able to function on an emergency basis only.
fact, it has not been formally re-opened at all, and its
present activities of necessity confined to minimum →
character are carried on under the control of an interim
Committee for Higher Education. Some of the buildings have
been repaired so as to provide a modicum of offices and
teaching and residential accommodation, and a certain
proportion of staff has been reassembled. On its present
basis, however, the University is not even adequate to serve
the Colony's needs alone. Yet until its future is settled,
nothing more can be done, and the re-equipment of the
University and the recruitment of the additional staff
required
both matters of great importance must perforce
remain in a state of complete stagnation.
-
5. From the political point of view, the absence of a
decision and the consequent delay in the formal re-opening
of the University are adding to the uncertainty and the
rumours as to our future intentions regarding the Colony.
This