STUDENTS PRAISED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 109, 10 May 1941, Page 10

STUDENTS PRAISED

HOSTILITY DEPRECATED

NO COMMUNISM AT A.U.C.

Giving his impressions of the students of to-day, Professor F. P. Worley, chairman of the Professorial Board, speaking at last night's graduation ceremony of the Auckland University College, said everybody must feel proud of their behaviour, self-discipline, respect and consideration for their elders. This was a great tribute to the secondary schools throughout the provincial district of Auckland. He complimented these schools on the good work they were doing in developing the character and culture of their pupils.

"Of course, there are a few who are somewhat wild or uncouth, but among a thousand students this is only to be expected," said the professor. "Except on graduation day the public hears more about the exceptions than about the great majority. These exceptions, whether it be in behaviour or the expression of social, economic or political views, provide news. The discovery of a real genuine Communist at the College would be valuable from a news point of view. This is the basis of all the foolish talk about Communism at the University, and I can assure you that the senior students are disturbed and hurt by the thoughtless and hostile opinions expressed and comments by some sections of the public. I cannot assert that there are no Communists in the college, but I can tell you that I have never, to my knowledge, met a Communist there or heard an expression of Communistic doctrines, which I abhor as contrary to the whole principle of our wonderful British Constitution."