CO129-610-1 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 3-1-1947 - 29-12-1947 — Page 178

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Memorandum on Hong Kong University.

1. Introduction.

1.

Larly in 193; the Governor of Hong Kong set up a

Committed to report on the steps which should be taken to

enable the University to fulfil the primary object of its

foundation, namely the provision of a University of British

inspiration for students from China. The Committee

considered that the University had largely failed in this

aim owing chielly to the paucity of its income. On the

Governor's recommendation the Vice-Chancellor, Fr.D.J.Jloss

came to this country in 1959 to urge upon His Majesty's

Government the value of the University as an instrument of

British policy in China and the desirability of providing

it with financial assistance.

2.

The Colonial office strongly supported this view

in letters to the Treasury and the Foreign office dated 8th August, 1939, and proposed that the Governor should be informed of His Majesty's Government's general approval of

the maintenance of the University's aim and their

appreciation of the fact that it would be proper and necessary for the University to look for financial assistance from Imperial sources. The Foreign Office

replied in a letter dated 25th August, 1939, (a copy of

which was sent to the Treasury; that Lord Halifax was in

entire sympathy with the views expressed and "is of the opinion that the University is a valuable instrument for propagating British ideals in China and that it should be given all the support and assistance possible ..." The outbreak of war made it impracticable to pursue the

question of financial assistance and departmental

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consideration