Sessional_Paper_1904 — Page 315

No.

19 1904

HONGKONG.

TROPICAL DISEASES RESEARCH.

(In continuation of Sessional Paper No. 29 of 1903.)

Laid before the Legislative Council by Command of His Excellency the Officer Administering the Government.

HỌNGKONG.

No. 46.

DOWNING STREET,

4th February, 1904.

SIR,-No reply having been received from you to Mr. CHAMBERLAIN's circular despatch of the 28th May last, on the subject of the investigation of malaria and the training of medical officers in the treatment and prevention of tropical diseases, a formal reminder was sent to you on the 1st of January.

2. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN noted in that despatch that a contribution of One hundred pounds is being made from the funds of the Colony to the London School of Tropical Medicine for a period of five years, but, as this arrangement was arrived at before the receipt of the circular, I desire to invite your attentiou to the more general question raised by my predecessor.

3. In the last paragraph of the circular Mr. CHAMBERLAIN Wrote that "it is clear that the work cannot stand still and as long as those who can speak with the authority of science are confident that by human effort the rate of mortality from malaria and other tropical diseases can be greatly reduced and the strength and efficiency of European residents in unhealthy climates can be sensibly increased so long in my opinion ought funds to be forthcoming for carrying on what has been so well begun." Mr. CHAMBERLAIN went on to state that, while one or other of the objects mentioned in his despatch might more specially commend itself to a particular Colony he thought that as a rule Colonial contributions, if and when made, might with advantage continue to be paid into a common fund, to be administered by a Board advising the Secretary of State as to how the moneys received could at any given time be best allotted.

4. I share the views held by my predecessor as to the desirability of following up the good work which has already been begun in the direction of combatting the diseases which are prevalent in tropical Colonies, and I should be glad if the Council would consider the question of making a small contribution to the common fund which it is proposed to establish in addition to the contribution which it has been decided to make to the London School of Tropical Medicine. At the same time I am very desirous that any funds contributed for the purpose by the Colony should be freely given on the ground that the objects for which contributions are asked are recognised as being beyond question beneficial and worthy of support; and that the Colony can well afford a contribution, even though the sum may be small.

5. I would ask you therefore to place the matter before the Legislative Council for their free and full consideration and I would only suggest that if, as I hope may be the case, they are inclined to vote a small further contribution, it should not be earmarked to a particular object but be paid into the common fund suggested by Mr. CHAMBERLAIN.

6. Possibly the Council may be willing to vote an annual sun of One hundred pounds for the term of five years at the expiration of which the matter can be again considered.

I have, &c.,

ALFRED LYTTELTON.

The Officer Administering the Government of

HONGKONG.

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