9.
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The Special Committee, in paragraphs 10 and 11 of their report, attempts, but admittedly without success, to answer the question that naturally arises; what security is there that the courses now to be pro- vided will attract students, in view of the fact that no students hitherto have taken Chinese for the B.A.Degree, and only a few have taken it for the Intermediate Examina- tion? All that it can say on this point is that the courses hitherto have been perhaps too exacting. If the requirements are lighter and the staff more effective, students may be attracted, The Sub-Committee does not hazard a guess as to the probable development of Chinese studies in the Universities of China, but records the opinion of Sir Reginald Johnston that traditional methods in these Universities are being discarded in favour of modern critical methods. It was not within the Committee's province to weigh the comparative claims of Chinese and the other subjects the University offers. The papers do not show that these comparative claims have yet been estimated by the University.
10.
The schools are apparently being brought into line with the proposed changes in the University. The Chinese syllabus has been revised and lightened, and now aims at a practical knowledge of the written language. The Matriculation requirements have been changed in the manner approved by the Advisory Committee, so as to require of Chinese students only the ability to read and write modern Chinese.
11.
Kwok Yu, a modified form of liandarin which the Government of Chine is trying to make the national language, will gradually be introduced into the schools as an alternative to, and perhaps eventually as a substitute for, Cantonese, on the assumption that both will for some time be the medium of instruction in University Chinese courses.
As a first step the
teaching of Kwok Yu is being started in two Government training institutions.
Colonial Office.
21st December, 1932.
3.
ARTHUR MAYHEW.
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