NEGLECTED HISTORY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLVI, Issue 64, 16 March 1915, Page 3

NEGLECTED HISTORY.

UNIVERSITY CHAIR SUGGESTED COUNCIL TO CONSIDER MATTER. At the meeting of the University Council yesterday afternon Mr. Gerald Peacocke moved: "That, in the opinion of this Council, the time has arrived when it is advisable to emphasise the importance and to extend the scope of the study and teaching of the' subject of history in this University College; and that, with this object in view, it is resolved to refer to the careful consideration of a joint committee, consisting of the Schools and the Finance Committees, the question of the advisableness of establishing a chair of history and economics, and appointing' a professor thereto, the committee to report to the Council at the regular monthly meeting, or at a special meeting called lor the purpose."

Mr. Peacocke expressed the opinion, in support of his resolution, {hat there had been a very inadequate realisation of the value of history both by the educational authorities in this country and by the general public. The establishment of a chair of history and economics would emphasise the importance which •this subject held in the estimation of the Council, and would tend to stimulate public opinion to regard it with the seriousness it merited. He believed, in short, that a want of training in history and the experience of history was often largely responsible for the utterances of men who were regarded as political firebrands. - He expressed the opinion that the object-lesson of the present war would stimulate interest in the subject, a professor for which he thought should be obtainable for about £700 a year. Mr. Tole' seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.