CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 135

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3. I hope that this will clear the ground so far as the

long term political aspect of our proposals for the

University is concerned.

Turning now to the other point

fully appreciate

mentioned in your letter, we can understand your concern as

to the possible extent of our commitments in the Far East. In foot We ourselves gave much thought to this aspect of our

proposals before putting them to the Treasury in April.

it was then, and still is, our conviction that the

expenditure involved is justifiable, even in these times of

financial stringency. I need not repeat here the grounds

But

for this view, which I gave in my letter to Gilbert of the

12th April. But I might perhaps explain in greater detail

why we feel a decision on our proposals to be a matter

of pressing urgency.

1

In

4. In the first place, it is now nearly two years since

the liberation of Hong Kong, and just one year since the

University Advisory Committee presented the report on which

our proposals are based. During this time the University

has been able to function on an emergency basis only.

fact, it has not been formally re-opened at all, and its

present activities of necessity confined to minimum →

character are carried on under the control of an interim

Committee for Higher Education. Some of the buildings have

been repaired so as to provide a modicum of offices and

teaching and residential accommodation, and a certain

proportion of staff has been reassembled. On its present

basis, however, the University is not even adequate to serve

the Colony's needs alone. Yet until its future is settled,

nothing more can be done, and the re-equipment of the

University and the recruitment of the additional staff

required

both matters of great importance must perforce

remain in a state of complete stagnation.

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5. From the political point of view, the absence of a

decision and the consequent delay in the formal re-opening

of the University are adding to the uncertainty and the

rumours as to our future intentions regarding the Colony.

This