CO129-548-2 Vacancy for Director of Education 19-2-1934 - 11-10-1934 — Page 33

Extract from Confidential Despatch from Governor of

Hong Kong, dated 19th February, 1934 to The Secretary

of State for the Colonies.

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[19308 P. F.]

N. L. Smith,

I also realise that the translation of

Mr. Smith to this higher appointment upsets the plans for

the Directorship of Education formulated in correspondence

terminating with your Confidential despatch of 31st

December, 1932, and I should hesitate to recommend it

were I not definitely of opinion on one hand that it would

not be fair to withhold from Mr. Smith promotion for which

he is eminently fitted and on the other hand that it is

essential to appoint to the very important post of

Secretary for Chinese Affairs an officer possessing in a

high degree, as Mr. Smith does, the qualities which are

essential to the successful carrying out of the duties of

that appointment. I appreciate however that this

proposal may be deemed to adduce furtner argument against

the retention of the post of Director of Education as a

Cadet appointment. At the same time I must put on record

my conviction that very grave risks will be taken with the

education of this Colony in these times of ferment if the

head of the Education Department is not thoroughly familiar with the Chinese language and Chinese modes of thought.

This view, if accepted, would preclude the appointment of

any one from outside the Colony. I have given very careful consideration to the qualifications of the present

staff of the Education Department and regret that I am

unable to recommend any member of it as suitable for the

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