UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27988, 7 June 1956, Page 9

UNIVERSITY COUNCIL

SCHOOL COMMITTEES’ EXCLUSION ASSOCIATION PROTESTS TO MINISTER The proposed exclusion of its representatives from the Canterbury University College Council will be the subject of a protest to the Minister of Education (Mr R. M. Algie) from the Canterbury School Committees’ Association. At the association’s annual meeting last evening, Mr D. Allison (Shirley Intermediate) asked for an explanation of recent de6isions of the council. “It is all past history,” said Mr S. J. Irwin, who is one of the association's representatives on the council. Certain members of the council had proposed that the numbers on the council be reduced, and that its constitution be reviewed at the same time. A committee defined principles which it thought should actuate the council in its investigation, and these included a point on the type of member the council would wish to have. “I entered the lists vainly, but. by a large majority, the new constitution omitting the three representatives of school committees was approved.” Mr Irwin said. “I am not so foolish as to suggest that the council cannot operate without us, but we should not be abandoned lightly, particularly when another college council has such members who appear to serve satisfactorily. At the moment we are there until the Governor-General approves the change, and then we are out. I don’t know whether it is worth pursuing. I think not.” “Did this august body give any reason for dropping the school committees?” asked Mr Allison. History of Issue

Mr Irwin said the issue was revived when the headmaster of Christ’s College (Mr H. R. Hornsby) asked for some direct representation of post-primary . schools. Personally he thought these schools were entitled to representation. School committees alone lost all their seats. “I wish to make it clear that I had no intention of raising this matter here.” said Mr Irwin. “Are 300 school committees in Canterbury who have nearly 3000 members. not counting those in the rest of the university district, going to take this sitting down?” asked Mr E. F. Wilde (North Brighton). He moved that a protest be made to the Minister. “We are losing something if we submit to the will of those inside the council from whom this move appears to be coming,” said Mr R. K. Milne (immediate past president). “It looks I suspicious to me. . .It is not desirable i that the council should have academic 1 men only. Laymen can be useful and ; prevent it from becoming overweighted academically.” “We are the parents of future I students, and should at least go down fighting.” and Mr R. Claridge (vicepresident). “The college council says it wants men of the right type. That smells to me.” said Mr Allison. 'The university is dependent on the child, and Mum and Dad have to do the trick.” ... .. . "I did tell the council that its decision would disturb the present friendly feeling of the community to the university,” said Mr Irwin.