CO129-381 - Governor Sir Lugard - 1911 [11-12] — Page 131

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the Chinese in natters of education is well- knowu, but we must not altogether depend on them to provide much of the fauds required in the future. The Chinese in this Colony have already many claims on their purse, and at the present moment they are contributing largely to the support of numerous charitable in stitutions and educational establishments in this Colony. I need scarcely mention the Tung Wa and the Kwang Wa Hospitals, the Alice and its allied hospitals, the publie dispen- sries, the Po Loung Kuk, the Ellis Kadoorio and other schools, some free and some charging only small fees, and last, but not least, the Uni- versity which requires still a great deal more money to make its endowment fund adequate for its needs and development. The Technical Institute is a most useful institution for a cer tain class of Chinese, and I am pleased that the Government is taking great care of it and pro- viding amply for its wants. But I would remind the Government that the benefits of the Institute are enjoyed and availed of by comparatively few persons, expecially among the Chinese. This is due to the instruction being imparted through the English language only, and the necessity of a fair knowledge of English and English subjects before admittance. This excludes neurly the whale of the roorer classes of Chinese, the artizans, the mechanics, the skilled workmen and young apprentices. In Europe and America the corresponding classes of the population derive the greatest benefits from such institutions and they do largely avail themselres o the training and instructions afforded by these e-tablishments and imparted in the native tongue. I hope the Government will supply the needs of these classes at no distant date, or, at all events, assist in the promotion of a Technical Tustituts where instruction can be imparted though the Chinese language. The technical education of these classes will repay a thousand fold the money and labour involved, and if Hongkone and the New Territories were ever to become great industrial and manufacturing centres, the technical training of its mechanics, artisans and skilled labourers caunot any longer be postponed or neglected. Lastly, I desire to say a few words regarding the annual grant to the University. The Estimates before us set down $9,000 as th suw. This my Unofficial colleagues and myself consider to be inadequate and we are of opinion that £1,200 or $13,000 or $14.000 would be more adequate. I am sure Your Excellenci will take this into consideration and I hope you will consent to insert the larger amount in the Estimates.

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