NO STATE INTERFERENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 24, 30 January 1922, Page 7

NO STATE INTERFERENCE.

WITH UNIVERSITY. THE SENATE* OPINION. A POLITE AMBNUMENT. A breeze between the (.Chancellor and another member of the Senate on Saturday arose out of a notice of motion moved by Mr. dc la Mare, of Hamilton, asking the Senate to itself from the opinion of the Chancellor implied in his letter to the Minister oT Education, embodied in his report, to tfle effect that it was desirable for the Government to intervene in I"niversity government at present delegated to the Senate. The resolution eaid it wae in the highest interests of the community that the University should 'be left free from every kind of external control. Mr. de la Mare said the education system in New Zealand was divided into two purts. one handed over to the Kducation Department, and the other part controlled by the Senate and was within the limit of the University Act. The Senate had been left free, the reason being that in all countries there must be some sanctuary sacred to truth, and to truth alone. The only place in our community was in the I'niversity. and it seemed to him that in the Chancellor's letter to the Minister the principle of political interference had been introduced. The speaker instanced thu danger by referring to ai> appointment at the lltago Medical School, where the Prime Minister had written to the University on the subject. Mr. Ma-ssey could be cxiused, but it was deplorable that a learned hody should countenance the introduction of politio. The Chancellor: But ive do not know anything about that. Mr. de la Mare: It emphasises the danger of which 1 speak. The Chancellor: But that is not interference with us. but with a college. Mr. de la Mare said that if Government interference with the college was not interference with the University, then what was the Senate's position? There had been enough Government interference epaken of concerning the Universities of Germany during the war, and .New Zealand should take a leeson and keep ite University free.

DUTY OF THE GOVERNMENT. The Cnancellor: The Crovernment'a approval or consent is necessary in counection with University affairs. ilr. de la Mare: But the Government may be called in in such a way as to lead to political control. Ifofesaor Wall the motion, and said it ivau most undesirable for the (loveniment to interfere. It might lead to a position where a minority might seek (ioverninent assistance to annul the Uec'jion of a majority. !Sir liobert Stout said the Government was bouad to interfere—if it was interference. The Governor-General's consent was required to all statutes, and the (iovenior-Generai was also a visitor. After a further passage at arnw the Chancellor said the L'niversitiee all ovei the world were subject to some Government control —or interierence, as they called it. As a matter of fact it was not long since this .Senate had welcomed a Royal Commission to deal with its affairs.

The Rev. Dr. Cameron said all would deplore any undue interference by the Government, "but I will move that we proceed to the next business."' Mr. Morrell seconded. When the vote was taken the Chancellor eaid he would not vote, but a member referren to the standing Orders. "Well. 1 vote - no,' then,"' said Sir Robert, and the Council sank its opinions of the Government, whatever they might i have been, and carried, on with other j matters before them.