CO129-583-18 Hong Kong University- British Council and Rhodes Scholarships 1-1-1940 - 31-12-1941 — Page 19

(P 6000/26).

19

FORLION PFICE, 3.W.1. 26th December, 1940.

Dear 3yers,

At the last meeting of the British Council's Executive Committee, we considered a proposal whereby the Council woul provide £1,000 per sanum in order that Hong Kong University might give scholarships to selected students from various parts of China. The idea had originally been suggested by the Vice-Chancellor of the University in August, 1939, and the Council had ascertaine that the present time was judged, by both the Ambassador at Chungking and the Governor of Hong Kong, to be a most propitious one for the scholarships to be instituted. The Far Eastern Department of this Office and the Colonial office were «lso in favour of the scheme.

Before the meeting, White wrote to me to tell me that he was going to include this item in the agenda, but unfortunately his letter did not reach me until after the meeting had taken place and I was therefore unable to consult you on the financial side of the question beforehand. As so many of the interested parties had given their concurrence, however,

however, I gave the scheme the blessing of the Foreign Office, no supplementary financial authorisation being involved.

I hope that I was justified in thinking that the Treasury would not see any objection to the proposed expenditure.

I am sending a copy of this letter to Gent, at the Colonial Office.

Syers, Esq.,

Treasury.

Yours sincerely,

(Sa) A.W.E. Randall