A MOVEMENT REVIVED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21806, 11 June 1936, Page 20

A MOVEMENT REVIVED

DEGREES IN DIVINITY SOUGHT FHEbBYTERY PASSES MOTION The movement to have it made possible for students to obtain degrees in divinity within the University of Mew Zealand revived at a meeting of the Christchurch Presbytery yesterday. The Presbytery unanimously passed Ihc following motion;— That the Presbytery of Christemirch urges its Theological Hall Committee to continue its support in the movement to obtain degrees in divinity within the University of New Zealand and calls on all interested to support the movement Various churches in the Dominion have been urging the university to confer degrees in theology for several years now. In May. 1933, a deputation of clergymen waited on the Board of Governors of Canterbury University College, and after hearing the deputation state the case for degrees in theology the board, on the recommendation of its college committee, agreed to urge the Senate of the University of New Zealand to give the proposal favourable consideration. The Senate appointed a committee known as the committee on degrees In theology and this committee reported to the meeting of the Senate in January this year as follows; “The Senate, at its 1933 meeting, pronounced in favour of the principle of establishing degrees in divinity or theology, but directed last year that further information should be obtained. Information was obtained from universities in other Dominions and from theological colleges in New Zealand. Having regard to the information about the position In other British Dominions. the committee does not consider it practicable “to secure an amendment of the University Act such as would enable the university to confer degrees in divinity or theology. In view, however. of the absence of several members. the committee leaves this question to the judgment of the Senate. A College Suggested “The committee suggests that the objects of the churches making the request might best be met by the establishment. under parliamentary sanction, of a college on similar lines to those of the Melbourne College of Divinity, established in 1910 by a Victoria Act In the event at the churches deciding to take steps for the establishment of such a college, the university is recommended to offer its co-operation in any way practicable under the existing university acts.” The Senate adopted this report and there, apparently, the matter has been allowed to rest The motion passed by the Presbytery yesterday was moved by the Rev. T. Paterson, who -referred, in doing so. to the Senate's suggestion that a college might be established similar to the one in Melbourne. Establishment a Mistake "The Melbourne college is not part of the university, but it has a royal charter to grant degrees in divinity.” Mr Paterson said. "The authorities there, however, feel that in establishing the college they made a mistake. They think it would have been better to have bided their time.” Mr Paterson went on to ask why, if th« University of. New Zealand had a charier to grant degrees, it should refuse to grant degrees which were granted in all the recognised universities in Great Britain and Ireland? "The university has a charter,” he paid, "and is refusing to do what is part of the charter. It is purely an examining body and it could arrange easily for examinations in divinity?’ The motion was seconded by the Rev. Alan C. Watson. Is a good one.” he said. "We all know that time bears its sons away. We know that there Is a tradition in New Zealand education which is gradually disappearing. Time is a good thing?’