HIGHER LEARNING

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 108, 8 May 1943, Page 7

HIGHER LEARNING

UNIVERSITY'S NEEDS

EXPANSION AFTER WAR

"There is no doubt that when peace comes educational problems will assume a new importance," said Mr. W. H. Cocker, president of the Auckland University College, at the annual graduation ceremony in the Town Hall last night.

Recalling that this year marked the diamond jubilee of the College, Mr. Cocker said that during the jubilee celebrations in 1933 the hope was expressed that at the diamond jubilee, with a return to prosperity, the realisation of contemplated projects might be possible. All would agree that a public appeal for funds for university purposes would be entirely out of place at the present time, but the present occasion should not be allowed to pass without being made known that the University's needs were no less pressing now. The objective was not abandoned, the appeal was merely deferred. The University of London, Mr. Cocker continued, was planning for an increase of 50 per cent, and it might well be that the increase in New Zealand would be as large. With the present buildings, staff and equipment an increase of this magnitude could not be provided for. The College Council had already given serious consideration to this problem and a special committee was preparing a report on necessary building development. The problem, however, would not be solved unless the community was prepared to readjust its ideas upon the question of expenditure on higher education and to bring conditions of university teaching more into line with those of other countries.