STAFF OF OTAGO UNIVERSITY

Press, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23052, 21 June 1940, Page 3

STAFF OF OTAGO UNIVERSITY

“SUBVERSIVE ELEMENTS” ALLEGATION DISCUSSION BY COUNCIL fTHE PRESS Special Service.} DUNEDIN, June 20. The question whether there are subversive elements in the staff of the Otago University was again before the council at its meeting this week, and caused a long discussion. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Keith Cameron and J. M. White had waited on the council at a previous meeting, as representing the Returned Soldiers’ Association, and made certain allegations. What was to be the procedure after that has evidently been misunderstood. The opinion appeared to be that the University Council was to hold an inquiry members of the Returned soldiers Association were to lay definite charges before and name accused. That opinion, however, was cEsfou ny not that held by the assoThe matter was introduced by the (Mr W. J. Morrell), who read the following report from the special committee set up by the council to myestigate statements made by alia assoclation - The report read, inter object of the meeting was to f , th ? course of procedure to be adopted in dealing with the allegations made. A letter from the solicitors dated May 30 was submitted advising the council with regard to proit was resolved to approve ■ the re c°mmendatio ns made in this letter. It was then resolved that the Returned Soldiers’ Association be inv ... to submit'their charges either in writing or in person at a meeting of the committee, and that these charges must be specific allegations against the persons charged with regard to acts or. utterances, and not with regard to opinions. The registrar was instructed to point out that if the charges were made in writing this would expedite matters as the persons concerned must given one week’s notice to answer the charges. A formal inquiry would then be held as soon as possible for the hearing of evidence on both sides by the committee. The registrar was further instructed to explain that if the charges were made in person the statements would be committed to writing at the meeting, and would have to be signed by the persons making the charges. Mr Mitchell asked that his dissent be recorded from the above decisions.” Allegation Resented « Mr Morrell ■ said that he resented very much, on his own behalf and that jj h ® councll > the allegation that there C +u >een a P a .tby and delay oh the part l‘5 e council. Messrs McKnight and White, representing the association. il a f later >.and he had told them that any definite charges of disloyalty and subversive activities, supported by evidence, against members of the staff would receive the very senous consideration . of the council. -He had told them that so far the councxf,had no such evidence before it. The.report was adopted. ‘‘Now we will have a letter from the Returned Soldiers’ Association,” said the chancellor. The letter read as follows:-—“We have to thank you for your letters of the first and sixth instant, which duly have been before my executive. Your council seems to have missed the point our deputation made when it waited on your council. Your council was asked then to hold an in--9. ui hito the alleged subversive activities on the part of members of the university. From your letters it would appear that the inquiry has not been held. The Returned Soldiers’ Association is, as was stated by the deputanon prepared to assist you when the result of a satisfactory inquiry into the allegation has been received by it. This was made very plain to the members of your council, and my association is waiting for them to act, to clear up a position which is not in keeping with the best interests of the Otago University.” “Extraordinary” Letter ~_M r. ,M ° r rell sai< * he did not think that the letter was quite the letter that they would have expected to have received. He would suggest that it was an extraordinary letter for their university to receive. He doubted whether any similar letter had been received by any university. It again repeated the charge of delay. That charge could not be laid against their council. If anything, it lay against those responsible on the Returned Soldiers’ Association. In effect, it did not attempt to prove the allegations. If the Returned Soldiers’ Association was in possession of credible evidence regarding disloyalty and subversive activities on the part of any members of their staff, why did they not produce it? Such evidence should certainly be placed before the authorities. If could be submitted to the police or other authorities. The Government had stated that it was prepared to carry out its duty: Mr S. Rice said that the chancellor was trying to find fault with everything the association did. The chancellor: No. Mr' Rice said that they did not know “who was who” in the country to-day. They knew that the “fifth column” was at work in New Zealand to-day, and amongst those people where they did not expect to find it. “You know perfectly well,” said Mr Rice, addressing the chancellor. He did not think the chancellor had been quite fair in the matter. If he were a member of

the staff, said Mr Rice, he would be prepared immediately to submit his bona tides as a loyal citizen. Some exchanges followed between Mr Rice and the chancellor, the latter stating that the charges, so-called, had not, yet passed the stage of allegations. “Inquiry Not Justified” Dr. R. J. T. Bell moved: “That the association be informed that the council has at present no information in its possession that would justify an inquiry, but is prepared to hold an inquiry into any alleged subversive acti. vities on the part of members of the staff as soon as the particulars of such

activities are placed before it by any responsible person or persons.” Mr L. D. Ritchie seconded the motion. Further discussion followed, members pointing out that it was very unfair to make general allegations, and Dr. Stanley Batchelor remarking, amidst laughter, that rumour had included nearly every member of the staff in the allegations, if what he had heard was correct. Mr F. W. Mitchell moved as an amendment: “The Otago University Council has always been ready to hold an inquiry into any charges of subversive activities preferred against

any member of the staff. If the association will name a date at which it is prepared to submit names and evidence, the council will be glad to participate in an inquiry.” Mr A. Steel said that he was an ordinary citizen,/ but it appeared to him that if any person knew of another person who was definitely disloyal and carrying out subversive activities he had one duty and one duty only—to report such person to the authorities. He at any rate would feel it was his duty to do so. Mr Mitchell's amendment was lost by nine votes to six, and Dr. Bell’s motion was carried.

New British Air Service. —According to a message from Singapore, British Overseas Airways announces that an air service between Sydney and Durban will shortly be opened.— London,' June 19. A notice in the Gazette extends the recently gazetted Contraband Emergency Regulations to Italy as well as Germany.—Press Association. Vind your market with an advertisement in “The Press.” in the Small Advertisement Columns. Office open till 10 pjn. —l*