CO129-576-5 Hong Kong University 13-6-1939 - 23-11-1939 — Page 78

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sovereignty over Western China only, there would thus

even so be vast territories maintaining friendly

relations with this country.

Hør. Sloss pointed out that the University of

Hong Kong is now at the cross-roads. Its present

organisation is entirely lacking in justification as far as the needs of Hong Kong itself are concerned,

and unless it can supply the needs of China in the way

contemplated by the Committee, it will be forced

drastically to reduce its expenditure and the scope of

its work. Development along the lines proposed would, however, involve an initial outlay of something like

£25,000, for which substantial outside assistance would

be essential.

M

Fr.

When questioned by Sir Henry Moore as to the

possibilities of money being raised locally, Sloss

replied that the task would doubtless be easier if the

Imperial Government could see their way to giving some

recognition of Hong Kong's value as a unit in promoting

good relations with China. But there were several

indications that the local business community, whose

attitude to the University had hitherto been one of

unfriendly indifference, were coming round to a

different view because they were seeing the commercial

advantages which had accrued to the Americans through

their University activities in China, and that

consequently some measure of financial assistance might

well be forthcoming from this quarter.

4.

Mr. Mayhew