STANDARD GOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 142, 18 June 1935, Page 9

STANDARD GOOD.

ECONOMICS AT AUCKLAND. LEEDS UNIVERSITY COMPARED. Comparisons between the standards of work at the Auckland University College and at Leeds University were made in a report presented to the University College Council at its meeting yesterday by ill-. H. R. Rodwell, lecturer in Economics, who went last year to Leeds University on transfer. Mr. Rodwell dealt only with the subject of economies.

"The standards at Auckland compare very favourably with those at Leeds,"' said Air. Rodwell/ "At the advanced and honours stages students at Auckland cover more comprehensive and more ■intensive courses than those at Leeds. This is partly due, 110 doubt, to the policy adopted at Leeds of leaving students to work independently. In view of the fact that so many students at Auckland are part-time students, the high standard attained in comparison with Leeds must be regarded as very satisfactory.

"The average student at Leeds has developed the critical faculty to a rather greater extent than the average student here, and is less prepared to accept without question the finding of recognised authorities. 1 do not infer that this faculty is entirely lacking here. On the contrary, every effort is made in the department to develop it with very considerable success. The reasons for ite greater prominence at Leeds can, I think, be largely attributed to the opportunity for wider and closer contacts than is possible here, the fact that most students are full-time atul have therefore greater opportunities for reading, discussion among themselves and with members of the staff, the larger staffs, and the better library facilities."

The stalling nt Auckland compared very unfavourably with that ftt Leeds. Tn the department of economics there was approximately the same number of students as there was in the department here, but fewer subjects were taken. In

!-• 1 >ite of fewer lectures being given, tlie staff consisted of two professors, two senior lecturers, one (or two at times) junior lecturer, |ons part-tune lecturer iii public administration, two research assistants, and a clerk. In addition, there was a part-time lecturer in accountancy, anil a full-time tutor in practical social work in connection with the diploma in social organisation and public service. "The number of lectures given by each member of the staff is four or live. It is considered by the university that to give more lectures than this is impossible if the member concerned is to do justice to his subject," concluded Mr. Rodwell. "The importance of being up-to-date with reading and study is fully recognised and adequate time is provided to enable this to be done. The amount of work that the university teacher in New Zealand normally does renders it practically impossible to cover even tlio minimum amount of reading necessary. The importance of research is also stressed at Leeds, where it is regarded as an essential part of the work of members of university staffs. Research work of a high standard cannot bo undertaken unless the necessary time is available. In this connection also- the university teacher in New Zealand is at a disadvantage. It is surprising, in view of the conditions here, that so much research has been undertaken. The university is not fully carrying out its function in the community unless systematic research wo£k can be carried out."