CO129-538-1 Hong Kong University 31-12-1931 - 6-8-1932 — Page 186

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to counteract the American influence, we may succeed, because there

are certain factors in our favour.

(1) Our educational standards are higher

(2) There is great respect for the English system, where it is

understood, because of its emphasis upon character training.

(3) Britain has the best reputation for training administrators

in public and private affairs, and as these are in great demand in China, British guidance in such training is sought.

(4) The loss of cultural tone in China as a result of the American influence again directs attention to another system which is more in harmony with the Chinese tradition of culture.

(5) The undesirable situation in United States of America.

Lawlessness, bootlegging, etc., does not make that country

a suitable training ground for young China.

(Sun Yat Sen in a speech in Hong Kong University 1922 said that what made him a revolutionary in China was the orderly honest and just administration of Hong Kong). Hong Kong University therefore is a suitable centre for training students from the mainland in that there is still the background of China, with orderly government with security and example of honest public administration provided by the British. Its standards are higher than that of any other University or College in China on Western lines, and it is therefore the only institution that can furnish a guarantee to a home University that the student is capable of benefitting by post-graduate study. Under no circumstances should any but post-graduate work under the scheme suggested be done in England.

The highest return for money expended will be obtained through the University of Hong Kong, for owing to the lowness of the dollar the total annual cost of a scholarship covering every requirement of the student during session and vacations is not likely to be more than £80 per annum for many years.

Owing to the low standard of English in the interior it may be necessary to bring these students in Hong Kong for a

pre-matriculation