COPY
47
31st May 1943.
MEMORANDUM ON HONGKONG UNIVERSITY RELIEF.
1. General. An estimate of the probable cost of assistance to Hongkong University students for the year 1943 was forwarded to London in Embassy despatch No. 160 of 15th February. given was CN81,045,000.00.
The figure Owing to the rising cost of living in all parts of Free China and to the particularly sharp increase in Kwangtung where a drought has recently sent the price of rice soaring, it has already been found necessary to increase the monthly relief loan given to all Hongkong University students to CN$150 per month as from 1st May and a further increase may have to be made. It may also be necessary to increase the amount for clothing over the year and the estimate may be exceeded. At present all expenditure on the relief of Hongkong University students is being charged to Foreign Office funds and although relief is being given in the form of loans, it is questionable whether it will be possible to recover all the money spent. It is however, considered desirable that whether relief is given from Hongkong University sterling funds or Foreign Offia funds, it should continue to be nominally in the form of loans and not of grants.
II. Reduction of the charge on Foreign Office Funds. King's views on the use of Hongkong University students are set
Dr. Gordon out in a copy of a letter dated 5th May to myself. balance available and the annual interest would approximately
The sterling cover the total cost of the scheme and the question whether Hongkong University sterling funds should be immediately allocated for this purpose or a decision postponed until the future of the University can be more clearly envisaged can in my opinion only be decided in London. Opinion in this Embassy on the desirability of relieving the British taxpayer by the use of University funds appears to be evenly divided. decided that the matter should be left in suspense until after
If it is the war, the question of allocating a portion of the money to certain specific purposes needs consideration. already been received to make five grants of £1,000 each to thos
Authority has Chinese universities which have accepted considerable numbers of Hongkong University students.
III. Alternative Recommendations. (i) Purchase of books and scientific equipment. The majority of Hongkong University students in Free China are seriously hampered in their studi by the lack of text books and scientific equipment such as slide-rules, stethoscopes etc. Shortage of these article is general in Chinese Universities and such books as are available are often for sale at prices far beyond the students' means. there is a possibility of obtaining a small amount of freight space from Dinjan to Kunming for Embassy requirements I recommend that Dr. King should make inquiries in India to see what books and equipment are available and then submit a request to London for the necessary funds.
AS
(ii) Scholarships. A small number of students formerly held scholarships from the University or the Hongkong Government ard while it is not recommended that such students should receive larger sums in relief than the other students, it might be wo considering treating relief loans given to them as non-repay
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