CO129-567-12 Hong Kong University 24-1-1938 - 24-1-1938 — Page 136

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Commission we had definitely in view only a sur-

vey of higher education in Malaya. In my opinion

this Commission is not qualified to make any authori

recommendations regarding future University policy

in Hong Kong with reference to the far reaching

questions mentioned in Dr. Sloss letter.

When

the time comes for constituting a Commission for

this purpose and deciding its terms of reference,

the Secretary of State will no doubt think it

desirable to take other agencies, including the

Foreign Office, into consultation.

(3) Mr. Pickthorn and Mr. Channon have made

it perfectly clear that they must be home by

Christmas.

Before giving my advice on action taken

in the light of this letter from Dr. Sloss, I

must mention that Sir Henry Moore, in his letter

of 16.9.38, has informed the Governor of Hong

Kong of the Secretary of State's wish that Dr.

Sloss should go to Singapore to assist the Commis-

sion in its deliberations on higner education in

Mulaya, in the light of his experience in Hong Kong

and the East. It has been made plain in this

letter that they would not discuss with him mutters

relating to the policy or future of Hong Kong Uni-

versity. "In these circumstances no objection is

seen here to the proposal"

•

Assuming that the Governor of Hong Kong

the

will have received Sir Henry Moore's letter by

23rd September at the latest, I suggest that

Governor should be asked by cable (without any

reference to Dr. Sloes' letter to Mr. Pickthorn)

to cable at once the action he proposes to take on