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from the devastation caused by the war and thought that Hong Kong should do more to "tell the world" about its achievements in this field.
He
The Governor said that although he could not vouch for Bishop Hall's figure of 50,000 children not attending school this was probably about correct. estimated that to provide schools for these 50,000 would cost about $50 million. He went on to mention further points of interest in connection with education in Hong Kong
(i) text books on civics were very shortly
to be produced
(ii) new text books generally were being prepared
(iii) King's College Primary School for 1,000
students and Queen's College Secondary School for 800 would be ready in September 1950
(iv) the number of children in Government schools
had doubled in the past two years.
After further discussion it was agreed that Hong Kong had an extremely good record in the educational field and that there was here no case to be answered.
5. Social Welfare.
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In
Mr. Chinn said that it was not true to say there was no social sense in Hong Kong; there were in fact many voluntary societies but he thought that perhaps a better lead from Government was needed. this connection he said that there seemed to be something of a dual authority at present in the Secretariat for Chinese Affairs and he went on to add that he was rather worried about the social welfare staff there was not provision for sufficient staff and even if there were it would be extremely difficult to get staff from here. He felt that the most urgent staff needs Tore a Deputy for Mr. McDouall, Social Welfare Officer, who at present was so busy with emergency problems that he had not got the time for necessary social welfare development work, and a good women officer.
The Governor said that a great deal of the time of the Social Welfare Officer was perforce taken up with certain emergency problems which arose (he instanced the sudden arrival of destitute Nationalist soldiers). In the social welfare field he felt that one of the most encouraging developments was the voluntary work growing up (e.g. in Kai Tong) similar to community associations in, this country. There was a danger however that the Communists might try to penetrate these movements and this aspect of the matter had to be watched. On the suggestion
/that