SEPARATE UNIVERSITY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 219, 16 September 1930, Page 9

SEPARATE UNIVERSITY.

FAVOURED BY AUCKLAND.

COLLEGE COUNCIL'S TOTE.

SIX TO THREE

There seems to be a growing preference for the foundation of a separate University in Auckland, according to opinions expressed &t a meeting of the Auckland University College Council yesterday. "I do not think that each of the four centres will have a separate University for many years to come," said the president, Sir George Fowlds, speaking in support of the Parliamentary Education Committee's proposal to set up a separate University in each island. If four separate Universities were created the two agricultural institutions, Massey College, Palmerston North, and Lincoln College, Christchurch, would be left "in the air." On the other hand, six Universities would not be feasible. His views, however, were not shared by many of the council members. "Mr. H. J- D. Mahon, said that a North Island University would add to the present costs, but that the Government was unwilling to increase its grants. The proposal to have a separate Lniversity for the North Island would effectively kill the possibility of a separate' University for Auckland, said Dr. H. Ranston, The rapid growth of Auckland's population justified the foundation of a separate institution here, and experience in other countries showed that more would thus be obtained from private endowments than under the federal system. Mr. S. L Crookes agreed, and quoted the cases of Universities in Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield, which had gained immense endowments as separate institutions. The institution of a local University would mean a more efficient transaction of business, said Professor F. P. Worlev. He thought that the control of Massey College could be allotted to Wellington, provided that allowance were made for Auckland students. A vote was taken as to the directions to be given to the council representatives at the forthcoming conference of University colleges in Wellington, on September 25. Six members were in favour of waiting in order -to have separate Universities in New Zealand, and three, including the president, favoured the principle of two Universities for NewZealand.