HONG-KONG UNIVERSITY – [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR, —The
Vice-chancellor of Hong-Kong ,University has made out a good case for action regarding the needs of his Univer- sity. It will be recalled that the date of opening was in March, 1912, when Lord. Lugard stated that in his view it was an event of greatest historical interest and importance in the annals of the Far East. To-day, though its existence has been justified, development is impeded owing to financial stress. The Boxer Indemnity Funds, amounting to over £11,000,000, are to be entrusted to a Board of Trustees, repre- sentative of British and Chinese alike. The Willingdon delegation never went to Hong-Kong, so that the opinion on the spot was not consulted. The British Chambers of Com- merce in Shanghai resolved that the best use for the funds would be to educate Chinese on British -lines—support of secondary schools, helping primary education and scholarship; provision for University education in China and at home. But precious time has elapsed since the report of the Buxton Committee : other Powers are -spending their shares whilst
we wait and see. Though the Governor of Hong-Kong inter, ceded last year with the Government at home, no further steps were taken. Is not delay, Sir, perilous, as the United States appreciates full well the value of encouragement of Universities—foundation of Scholarships—attracting young Chinese to America to study her factory systems ?
We still possess the greatest commercial interest in the Far East. Our name has ever been linked with China in more ways than one ; yet to educate English and Chinese to under- stand each other by their intellectual faculties is denied. A broader vision should be cultivated to realize what a Univer- sity in Hong-Kong stands for.—I am, Sir, &c.,
D. TIALLIDAY MACARTNEY.
The Royal Empire Society, _Northumberland Avenue, W.C.2
Previous page
