CO129-524-2 Hong Kong University- financial position- Chinese studies- future of the Chinese school and the Annual... 27-1-1930 - 12-8-1930 — Page 18

From a Hong Kong Armchair

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The University.

The annual report of the Hong Kong University has been in the hands of the public for some weeks. Its contents were well summarised in our local papers and sympathetic comment on the problems of our University was offered by them. But it is safe to say that, for everyone except those immediately connected with the University itself, these problems have by now given way to the far more pressing personal problem of the falling dollar.

We never value fresh air until we try to conceive how we should fare if we had to try to get on without it. One feels that if one could get all those who are interested in the will-being of Hong Kong to make the same experiment with regard to its University, one would find more public concern about the problems con- fronting those who, in these difficult times, bear the responsibility of providing for its welfare.

The Hong Kong University, never free from financial difficulties, is now facing a crisis. The Vice-Chancellor, in his report, points out that the University budget for 1930 estimates an expenditure of $666, 345 as compared an estimated income of $ 603,500. In other words the Uni- versity, which has succeeded in balancing its budget during the last six years, ex- pects a dificit of over $60,000 in the working of the present year. That esti- mate was made in December when the calculation was based on the_exchange rate of 1s.8d. to the dollar. The report points out that on account of the currency developments which have subsequently occurred (the continued fall of the dollar),

the expected deficit on the year's work- ing cannot be

put at any figure smaller than $100,000." The report is dated April 8th, and conditions have not im- proved since then. Unfortunately the falling dollar lessens the chance of sympa- thetic consideration by the Government of the recommendations of the Salaries Committee, for a Goverment which has to collect its revenue in dollars and meet its obligations in sterling will not be dis- posed to increase grants in the present financial crisis.

The University of Hong Kong is well worth while. It would be an irreparable loss to the Colony if it were obliged to curtail its activities, and still more if, owing to financial stress, it were forced even temporarily to suspend operations. We feel, therefore, that the time has come when the University authorities should be relieved of the ever recurring anxiety con- cerning the University's finances, and should be given the opportunity of devoting their undivided attention to the real deve- lopment of the Institution as an educational factor.

If the present difficulties lead to a full consideration of the matter by the Govern- ment and by all who are interested in education in Hong Kong, it may be that the University will have no reason to regret the advent of its darkest hour.

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