CO129-594-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University. For extracted photographs see CN 3-45- Advisory Committee- minutes of... 18-1-1946 - 9-4-1946 — Page 18

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6. Professor Hinton expressed the opinion that the University should not be too closely associated with Government and that consideration of its development on generously conceived lines should not be held up by any doubts as to the political future of Hong Kong. Although it must be taken as virtually certain that the New Territories at least would have reverted to China within 50 years, that area should not be excluded from any extension of the University that might become necessary. He would like to see it used meanwhile for summer schools and playing fields. Hong Kong. whatever its future was bound to be a great Anglo-Chinese city and an independent University might be a centre radiating valuable influences in the uncertain future a political catalyst integrating British and Chinese

interest.

Sir George Moss emphasised the role that inter-university sport might play in promoting friendly relations with China.

8. The question of situation was discussed and Mr. Sloss referred to the recommendations of an earlier Committee that the University should be rebuilt on a larger site. He said that after those recommendations had been made a new and larger technical Committes had shown how, properly used, the existing site could accommodate a very much larger University and still leave more space than is at present available for games and amenities. It would mean that a great part of the existing buildings would have to be demolished and rebuilt in larger, and more compact units but he thought that there was everything to be said for redeveloping the present site.

9.

Sir Mark Young after. thanking the Committee for its invitation to be present, expressed his pleasure in finding that the Committee were convinced of the value of reviving the University in such a way as to give fuller effect than had hitherto be en possible to the original aims of the founders. He was personally fully convinced of the importance of the University as an instrument for maintaining friendly relations with China and he agreed that no doubts as to the future of Hong Kong should hold up the work of restoration. He was sure that the Hong Kong Government would desire that the University should be revived on the lines envisaged by the Committee both for the well-being of the Colony and for the sake of its influence on relations with China.

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As regards practical steps he did not think that the Hong Kong Government would be able substantially to increase the

He grants which it had made to the University before the war. agreed that the first step was to put as strong a case as possible to the Imperial Government so as to secure both their recognition of the University as an instrument of Empire policy and their consent to give the required financial aid. Sir Mark referred to the representations that had been made in Hong Kong with a view to getting the University started again as soon as possible. He recognised that there were difficulties in the way of an early re-opening but would like to be more convinced that they were insuperable. Finally he would like to assure the Committee of his strong conviction that the right course was the re-establishment of the University in Hong Kong to serve the needs of China as well as those of the Colony.

10. Mr. Sloss explained briefly the difficulties which had compelled the Committee to agree that the re-opening of the University could not be expected or recommended before early

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