220/45 II.
141 51
SAVINGRAM
RES
To the Secretary of State for the. Colonies.
6- JUL 1948
C..
From the Governor, Hong Kong.
Date 20th June 1948. No.44
CONFIDENTIAL.
Amad
4-4 & 45
$250,973
Your telegrams 638 and 639 or the 7th. June, 1948.
Hong Kong University.
1. I am much perturbed that objections may be raised against a grant to the University from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds.
2.
The main developments of the University now contemplated are for local needs. Money is required for
3.
a teaching hospital
a school of Architecture.
provision for the training of teachers
a hostel for women students
housing for staff.
None of these items can be regarded as rehabilitation. All were projected long before the war but had to be deferred because of the lack of funds. It is a matter of urgency for the Colony that the supply of doctors, dentists, engineers, architects, and teachers should be increased to meet the Colony's own needs and to implement the policy of White Paper No. 197. It is estimated that capital expenditure for projects mentioned in paragraph 2 would amount to about £250,000 at present costs and it is essential that an early beginning be made on all of them. The grant by this Government of $4 millions from local funds will only meet the cost of necessary rehabilitation. Without aid from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds it will be impossible to do for an increased population what was done before the war.
4. Objection to the proposed grant on the ground that students from China may profit as a result of the development of this University constitutes repudiation of the policy for the University set forth in the Preamble to Ürdinance No. 10 of 1911. The fact that students from Siam and Indonesia are likely to profit from the proposed University of Malaya would hardly be regarded as a bar for assistance to Malaya from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds. The spread of British ideas from a Colonial University in Hong Kong does not make it the less a Colonial institution.
5.
The assertion that the establishment of a Malayan University will end the connection of this University with Malayan Chinese is not accepted here because of the invincible Chinese desire for education in a Chinese environment. The number of Malayan Chinese will be reduced but will still be substantial.
6.
I strongly urge that the grant of £250,000, as part of the general settlement of war debts should not be made a pretext for the refusal of a grant from Colonial Development and Welfare Funds which is undoubtedly needed if the University is to fulfil its function in the Colony. The free grant from His Majesty's Government will lose all grace if it comes
Ar.
to/
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