THE UNIVERSITY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 247, 26 July 1940, Page 4

THE UNIVERSITY.

ALLEGED SUBVERSIVE TENDENCY RETURNED MEN’S RESOLUTION. (Per Press Association). DUNEDIN ,This Day. Repercussions to statements previously made by the executive of the Returned Soldiers’ 'Association alleging subversive activities within the Otago University were hoard last evening at a meeting of the Association. The following motion was carried: “That it be a recommendation to the Executive to consider urging on all political parties the appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the relationship of our whole educational and library systems and services to loyalty to the Crown and Empire.” Dr. Stuart Moore, sponsoring the resolution, said the Returned Soldiers’ Association had suggested that the University itself conduct the inquiry, but the Council treated this advice as a dangerous attack and an insult. The present conditions demanded not- only that definite acts of subversive character, should be detected and dealt with, but also that the influence of the atmosphere and curriculum of the University he reviewed. This concerned all University colleges in New Zealand and embraced also the Workers' Educational Association, responsibility for which the Council had now entirely disowned, although it had the duty of approving the tutors for that body; but it was concerned also in our whole educational and library system and service.

Dr. Moore continued: “The theories of the educational experts that guide the policy and practice of our Department of Education are unsound, and constitute a national danger. Their power is increased through the influence the Department can exert on the financial grants given to Universities and other institutions.”