CO129-576-5 Hong Kong University 13-6-1939 - 23-11-1939 — Page 27

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Sir C. Parkinson.

As the result of the report of a local

committee appointed in Hong Kong to consider what

developments of studies are desirable and possible in

order that the University of Hong Kong may co-operate

more effectively with the Universities of China in

higher education, the Vice-Chancellor, Mr.D.J. Sloss,

was authorised by the Governor to discuss the

University's future with us here in July last. A

note of the meeting, at which Mr. R. G. Howe of the

Foreign Office attended, is recorded at 23 in the file.

As a result of that meeting we obtained at 26 a most

sympathetic reply from the Foreign Office which stated

that: "Lord Halifax is in entire sympathy with the

views expressed by Mr. MacDonald. He is of opinion

that the University is a valuable instrument for

propagating British ideals and spreading British

influence in China and that it should be given all the

support and assistance possible in increasing its

usefulness in this respect.

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It was always emphasized in the proposals

that outside financial assistance would be necessary

to carry out the developments which Mr. Sloss had in

mind, and a letter explaining the position was sent

to the Treasury at 21.

Owing to the outbreak of hostilities the

Treasury has quite naturally replied that the proposal

must stand over for the present in so far as any

question