18.
89
Copy to:Colonial Office
NO.218.
sir,
BRITISH EMBASSY, CHUNGK ING.
14th July, 1942.
I have the honour to transmit herewith a report dated 2nd July, 1942, submitted to me by Dr. Gordon King regarding the progress of the relief work undertaken by him at my request on behalf of students of the University of Hong Kong.
2. Dr. King has solved the problems of these young students, as far as they can be solved in the difficult cir cumstances, with great skill. It is a tribute to his energy and ability and to the esteem in which he is held by the Chinese, that he has been able to secure much whole-hearted co-operation in placing the students in Chinese Government Universities where they can continue their education practi- cally uninterrupted. This practical interest taken by His Majesty's Government in the welfare and future of these students is appreciated by a wide range of Chinese, official and otherwise – who are aware of what is being done.
3. A Hong Kong University Relief Committee has been formed in Chungking through the agency of Dr. Han Lih-wu of the Board of Trustees for the Administration of the Indemnity Fund remitted by the British Government. This Committee will act in an advisory capacity to this Embassy and its constitution en- sures the maximam assistance in securing the good will and interest of Chinese Educational Authorities.
4. In my telegram No.575 of 28th April I indicated that the work in connection with the Hong Kong University would cost some £4-5,000 and this preliminary budget forecast has adequately covered expenditure to date.
There is still a good deal to be done and it will be necessary to provide some maintenance in the shape of a monthly subsidy to cover personal requirements of the students and Dr. King's report includes a revised budget which should carry the reller up to June 1943.
5. This budget amounts to Chinese National Dollars 500,000 and includes secretarial expenses for office routine which will be directly under Dr. King's control. The total sum required is £7,000 and I am authorising a total expenditure up to this sum which exceeds the original tentative estimate by £2,000.
6. A Contingency Fund of $10,000 (less than £150) would be quite inadequate to provide för any increase in the mumbers to be cared for or for any unforeseen demand. I recommend, therefore, that this Fund be raised to $150,000 to be used at my discretion.
7. I have had under consideration the preservation, if practicable, of the identity of the University of Hong Kong. This presents its own difficulties but students will be grouped together in chosen universities and scattered as little as possible. This, together with the setting up of Dr. King's small University Office should materially assist.
8. Should it be your desire to give some moderate pub- licity to the work being done I venture to suggest that Dr. King's report would provide admirable basis.
9. I should be grateful for talegraphic approval of the action taken in paragraphs 4 and 5 as well as of the proposed increase in the Contingency Fund.
I have the honour to be,
With the highest respect, Sir,
1ient mmble sarva¬
Your mon*
1
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.