CO129-603-3 Education Department- revised grant code 24-1-1949 - 28-12-1949 — Page 30

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In order to prevent inflation Government fees were (I think mistakenly) kept very low (average about £4-4-0 per annum). Part of the tight regulations in the original Draft Code proposed that e.g. celibate members of Roman Catholic teach- ing orders should not receive under the Code more than their mission allowance. Joint representations by Anglican and Roman Catholic schools secured the removal of this injustice. This has given the Roman Catholics a very considerable margin at the disposal of their Mission.

Anglican Schools are willing to incur the liability of charging those parents who can afford to pay higher fees than the Roman Catholic schools,

Morover the Anglican Schools are almost entirely local schools with local Councils, originating in Hongkong at the request of local citizens, not promoted by Missionary Societies. From the point of view of the future they are therefore fur- ther ahead and more full of promise for the future.

I am Chairman of seven such Councils (one not under the Grant Code). The personnel of the Councils are very different, and the Schools very different from each other. The Group who met in London agreed that in order to strengthen and invigorate such Councils, more freedom to charge fees and to take less grant

was both reasonable and wise. In fact Mr.Rowell has con- ceded nothing which we did not have before we appealed except the removal of the minor repairs irritation contained in the Block Grant.

As I understand it the Code has not yet been approved by the Secretary of State. Our opposition to it was never brought to the notice of London until our interview last September. HeE. the Governor of Hongkong authorised us to continue "as at present" (i.e. not accepting Clause 37) unless the decision went against us in London.

My understanding is that this did not happen.

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Insert here.

Ro Hall

In order of secure the same margin for initiative and development that the celibate prenaple pies

to the Roman Catric Schools".

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JAR3N3D & 3DK310 eper 9320 S YAT21038

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Ref.No.E.D. 8129/49.