THEOLOGY.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20828, 11 April 1933, Page 6

THEOLOGY.

GRANTING OF DEGREES. REQUEST TO UNIVERSITY COUNCIL. LTHB PRESS SpecUl Sorvlcc] AUCKLAND, April 10. "It is a reproach to the university that the study of subjects related to theology should be barred within its walls,' ? said the Rev. E. J. Tipler, Presbyterian minister at Mount Eden, speaking on behalf of a joint deputation from the Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist, and Congregational Churches which waited on the Auckland University College Council to advocate the granting of degrees in theology. "We believe it is a reproach to the university," he said, "that graduates should be forced to leave New Zealand to obtain academic recognition of their theological studies. Travel is expensive and, unless a student received scholarships to enable him to travel, is limited to the favoured few and those not always of the highest distinction. When a student goes abroad on his own resources he often is lost to his home, land, and Church, as he feels free to accept appointments abroad. "We do not ask for support of any proposal that theological subjects be taught, for we desire that the teaching be left to the theological colleges," said Mr Tipler. "We ask that examinations be conducted by examiners to be appointed by the University Senate. We believe that at least in the initial stages the examiners would be honorary so.as to impose no extra expense on the umV6 Mr T. u" Wells said the matter of awarding theological degrees would probably have been determined by the Senate before but for the fact that there was lack of unanimity among the Churches. Mr Tipler: May I be pardoned for saying we believe that the lack of unanimity is on the part of the Kte rather than the Quitches. Dr. Ranston, principal of tne Methodist Theological College and TmSmber of the Universiy College Council, said the deputation represented all the Protestant denominatiolf'was decided to give Dr Ranston an opportunity to frame a suitable motion for submission to the next meeting of the council.