CO129-610-3 Rehabilitation of Hong Kong University 15-2-1949 - 7-2-1950 — Page 45

[456B) Wt. 32483/800 100m. 11/48 C.N.Ld. 748

54147/49.

C. O.

Mr.

Kirkness

MrHall 20/1

M

Sir C. Cox 2.

M.Sidebotham morte.

Mr.

Permt. U.S. of S.

Parly. U.S. S.

Minister of State

Secretary of State

hetto 80%

45

at present.

DRAFT.

Your Reference.........

For Mr. Sidebotham's signature.

J.P. G. FINCH, ESQ., O.B. E.,

CULTURAL RELATIONS DEPARTMENT,

FOREIGN OFFICE.

(18) (37) (39) (43) (44) 54147/47

FURTHER ACTION.

Copy to P.W. Scarlett,Esq.

C. M. G.

F.E.D.,

F.Ø.

As you know, we have for some

time/now had the future of Hong Kong

University under consideration. There

was correspondence in 1947 between

Sir Orme Sargent, Sir Thomas Lloyd

and Sir Bernard Gilbert of the

Treasury about what has been called

the "Lugard function" of the

University in acting as a centre for

the diffusion of British culture in the

Far East generally and China in

particular; it had eventually to be

accepted with regret that this would

have to be left in abeyance because of

the financial crisis of that year.

Since then, events in China and

recurrent financial setbacks in this

country have confirmed that decision and

put all hopes of realising the

"Lugard function" off into the

indefinite future; and we are now

looking at the more limited question of

the University's role in meeting Hong

Kong's own needs for higher education,

and