CO129-594-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee report 29-3-1946 - 3-7-1946 — Page 164

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I the

been as well, a point'appui of Western

culture upon the edge of an awakening China,

a place where a real marriage of Eastern and

Western civilisations could take place. This

ambition was never fully realised and various

factors combined to make this aspect of the

University's work less effective as time passed.

The University was never framed on the essential

scale. British Governments and the British

people have never fully understood either

University functions or University finance.

Hongkong has been no exception in this respect

though it has been a more than usually glaring

vietim

example of this national failing. The growth

of agressive nationalism in China itself

diminished the flow of students already kept

Ko small dimensions by the unforunate fact

that the cost of living in Hongkong was higher

than on the mainland. This last discrepancy

was increased by the growth of a laudable

feeling that linked patriotism with poverty

and caused Chinese of the new age to bear with patience, and even to welcome conditions

that the students and staff of a British

Colony could not be expected to ac ept,since they naturally compared their situation with

that of their fellows in other British lands

and institutions.