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HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.
more readily granted because of the very important part the modern University must play. This Government aid too has been given without imperilling the autonomy of these institutions in England for there has been no interference of any kind on the part of the Government as appears from the very interesting speech of the Right Honourable H. A. L. Fisher in his centenary address at University College, London, in April 1927.
UUp to the conclusion of the Great War, the Oxford and Cam- bridge Universities did not require Government financial assistance, but at the conclusion of the War it was found that they would not be able to continue their activities as in the past unless substantial Government financial assistance was granted, and this applied even more to the other Universities.
A Royal Commission was appointed presided over by the Right Honourable Mr. Asquith in the year 1919, as very large Government grants were made, and to-day, roughly, the a result of which Government provides, either direct or through local authorities, 50% of the revenue of Oxford University, 45% of the revenue of Birmingham University, 70% of the revenue of Bristol University, and 60% of the revenue of Leeds University. In fact out of the total income of the Universities of Great Britain about 50% is contributed by either Government or local authorities.
The conclusion that follows from an examination of these facts is that this Colony must accept the Hong Kong University as an integral and essential part of its education scheme and must give it that adequate support which would justify us in continuing to call it a University on the English model. which the Government should contribute to the University. is $200,000. The minimum annual sum
I hope your Excellency's efforts on behalf of the University to obtain an allocation of part of the Boxer Indemnity moneys may yet be successful. In the field of education what better cause could be found?
Such being the vista we have before uș, can it be wondered that one is appalled at the large expenditure of money that lies before us? Nil mortalibus ardui est. Some of the propositions call for immediate adoption. They can no longer be delayed. possibly be held in abeyance for a little longer but as surely as night Some may follows day all must eventually be taken in hand. (Applause).
on
HON. MR. J. P. BRAGA.-You Excellency, My remarks the Budget will be limited almost exclusively to matters concerning Kowloon. They are not intended to dilate upon the numerous sub- jects involving heavy expenditure making up the Budget for 1930. That ground has been very fully and very ably covered by the Honour- able Senior Unofficial Member as the Unofficial spokesman on this occasion. It is matters of so-called municipal interest with which I am at the moment principally concerned.
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