CO129-588-9 Hong Kong University- relief work 11-8-1942 - 19-11-1943 — Page 85

COPY FOR: COLONIAL OFFICE

REPORT ON HONG KONG UNIVERSITY RELIEF WORK CARRIED OUT DURING THE

PERIOD 24TH APRIL TO 30TH JUNE 1942

83

At the outbreak of war in December 1941 there were approximately 600 students of Arts, Medicine, Engineering and Science attending the University of Hong Kong, most of whom performed useful service during the war period in connection with organisations such as the Hong Kong Volunteers, Medical Defence Scheme, St. John's Ambilance, A.R.P., Food Control, etc.

After the termination of the war the University was taken over by the Japanese, many records were destroyed and the libraries and equip- ment were systematically looted. Many of the students expressed concern about the continuance of their studies and certificates were prepared for them stating what work they had done and signed by the Vice-Chancellor (Mr. D.J. Sloss) and the Deans of the Faculties concerned. The hope was expressed that they might be able to continue their studies in some of the Universities of Free China and that due credit could be given to them for the parts of their course which had already been taken in Hong Kong.

After my own escape from Hong Kong in February 1942 I repeatedly met small groups of students in various places on my way up to Chungking and in most cases received requests from them for advice and for letters of introduction and certificates of various sorts. Most of the early éscapees were boys whose homes were in the Straits and nearly all of them were coming to China for the first time. Some had been robbed by bandit gangs, others were short of money and of clothes. On reaching Chungking about the middle of April I received news of the escape of more students and also got word by telegram that groups of students in Kweilin and Kweiyang were stranded without any further funds. H.E. the British Ambassador was approached and showed considerable sympathy with a scheme so provide relief for these students. The scheme covered the need for imediate relief to tide over the period between their arrival at a centre of refuge and their reaching a University where they could con- tinue their studies and the more remote needs that might arise after they had resumed their studies during the time that they were still cut off from their families. The cost per head for immediate relief was estimated at National $1,000 and on 23rd April I received an immediate advance of $50,000 through Mr. T.J. Fisher with a request to organise the relief work and to proceed to Kukong. Before I left Chungking I saw Mr. Chu Chia fua and Mr. Han Lih Wu of the British Boxer Indemnity Administration and explained the nature of the scheme to them. Mr. Han Lih wu, who had already shown considerable interest in the question of Hong Kong University Relief and had suggested the formation of a small committee to deal with it, promised to enlist the interest in our project and assistance (where necessary) of the National Relief Commission, Board of Overseas Affairs and other similar organisations.

I left Chungking by truck on 24th April and found 40 students stranded in the premises of the Chinese Red Cross in Kweiyang, in addition to 2 war-time graduates in medicine, one lady teaching member of the Arts Faculty and one student nurse. All of these received assistance. As the Queen Mary Hospital Shool of Nursing was closely linked up with the Medical Faculty of thể University I thought it would not be outside the spirit of my mission to extend temporary relief to nurses, and on the same ground I also gave assistance later to 3 members of the Government Pharmacy staff.