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 41

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mainly English, but there were Europeans, Eurasians and a few Chinese. All those who matriculated

with three exceptions, in England following courses here: so that the residue of qualified entrants to the University from that source is very small. There have been no school classes for four years. A certain numbery had remained in Hong Kong who had done two, three or four years of their courses, and until the University was restarted there was nothing that could be done for them except possibly a small group of first year entrants. The equipment of the University was completely gone. There was not a test tube left. Everything had been pilfered, looted or destroyed. After seeing the state of the buildings and equipment Mr. Sloss was appalled at the difficulties of providing even elementary laboratory equipment in the near future. The suggestion had been made that the preliminary scientific training of a new race of doctors should begin without any laboratory work, but in his opinion this would be hazardous in the extreme, and such a course would not be justified.

06.16

Sir Herbert Mason agreed. As a first step he thought they must obtain from Hong Kong full details of the number of prospective entrants. His own view was that there would not be more than ten or fifteen.

30.26

The Chairman asked if, in the light of Mr. Sloss's illuminating statement the Committee would think that it was worth while obtaining confirmation of Mr. Sloss's estimate of the probable number of students likely to be capable of starting courses in the autumn if it were possible to reopen in a small way, not forgetting Mr. Smith's point about finding out particulars of their secondary education.

37.27

Sir Herbert Eason

asked whether reliable

figures could be got at this stage. They should first settle the principle of whether there should be a university at all. He thought that from the Imperial point of view it was essential for British prestige to have a university

Unless we of all the faculties in Hong Kong and in Malaya. kept the university in Hong Kong we should certainly lose prestige in competition with our more active neighbours across the Atlantic, and if we waited until the question was settled through diplomatic channels of who would support it, the time would have gone when we might

The first question profitably re-start the University. was: did the Committee think it desirable to have a university at all?

Sir Herbert Dason. As an ordinary layman e

thought it was most desirable.

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40.29

Dr. Venn agreed with Sir H. Eason.

Dr. Priestley wondered whether the British Government would be willing to envisage an expenditure of five or ten million which would be involved to do the job properly. It must not come out of the sum for the

It was not a development of Colonial universities. fair charge on Hong Kong revenue.

/Sir George Moss