FREE SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 12

FREE SPEECH.

UNIVERSITY STAFFS. MR. JUSTICE OSTLER'S VIEW. « A VITAL PRINCIPLE." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Thursday. That freedom of opinion and speech is a vital principle in all university life was the view expressed by Mr. Justice Ostler at a meeting of the Victoria College Council to-night. Genuine opinions ehould be allowed to be expressed, he eaid, unless they were definitely outeide the law. The question came under discussion by the council when printed copies of a letter from the University Teachers' Association were distributed among members. The letter, which was addressed to the University Senate and governing bodies within the university, concerned the question of academic freedom. A recent expression of opinion by a member of the staff of a university college, it was stated, was followed by action on the part of the Minister of Education and the president of the college council. As public attention had been called to that action, and as it had raised feelings of disquietude in the minds of many univemty teachers, the association felt it should appeal to the governing bodies and the Senate for their co-operation, as occasion might require, in asserting, protecting and maintaining the right of what was generally known as academic freedom. The letter was signed by the president and secretary of the association. Professor T. A. Hunter, Vice-Chancel-lor of the University of New Zealand, commenting on the letter, said the traditions of the universities in allowing free expressions of opinion should be upheld. Victoria College had fine traditions in that respect. Members of the council agreed that it was widely known that the teacher referred to at the beginning of the letter was a member of the staff of another university college. Objections were raised to the council passing a resolution on the subject, which it was stated more particularly affected a brother body. It was suggested that the letter should be received. The whole question concerned a vital principle of university life, commented Mr. Justice. Ostler, and it should not be let go without the council expressing a view on it. It would be a great mistake for the letter merely to be received. It was finally decided to leave the question to a sub-committee, consisting of Mr. P. Levi, chairman of the council, Professor Hunter and Mr. Justice Ostler, for consideration.