University Graduates’ Duty To Community

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 2

University Graduates’ Duty To Community

The privilege of a university education carried with it certain responsibilities to the community, the Mayor of Christchurch (Mr G. Maiming) said at a reception to delegates and observers to the Dominion conference of the New Zealand Federation of University Women, in Christchurch last evening. Mr Manning, who is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, said university education fitted men and women to analyse and see problems of the community. “Consequently, an organisation such as yours will provide leaders and guidance for other women’s organisations,” he said. ‘Your knowledge and experience gained at the university can be landed on to other women and their organisations. Through Sour federation you are extendig the influence of the university itself. You can show to those who have not had the privilege of university education what the university means to the community.” Women had made a fine contribution to social welfare work in Christchurch and other cities of New Zealand, particularly in the field of care of the aged, he said. The federation of university women was one of the correct vehicles to give the knowledge and guidance which were so essential.

Mr Manning said he was ileased to see that the study heme of the conference was South America. From this choice of subject it could be ascertained that the organisation was interested in international affairs

and, therefore, interested in the affairs of New Zealand.

New Zealanders had Inherited the ideals of liberty and the machinery for developing it “It is up to your organisation to acquaint the rest of the community what liberty means to the individual, how that liberty can be maintained and encouraged,” he said.

“In your studies of South America you will realise what is missing in its structure of government and the ideals of the people,” he said. “Consequently, you will cherish the liberty of New Zealand and that liberty will find expression in social activity. Two Freedoms “I believe intensely in two fundamental principles of democracy—the freedom of expression and the freedom of association. Given those two freedoms the human being can develop into the full stature of what nature Intended him to be and through that development true happiness lies;” he said. The reception was held by the Dominion executive of the New Zealand Federation and the president (Mrs W. Grant) welcomed delegates and observers, including two women from Australia. When an organisation met only once in three years it had much leeway to make up, especially in friendship. “Friendship is most important in an organisation like this and we are here to renew old friendships and make new ones,” Mrs Grant said. The Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Mr D. W. Bain) welcomed visitors on behalf of the university, and asked the federation to back up the univer-

sity in getting what it needed. Dr. Mary Harding, who is president of the Canterbury branch of the federation, said that more important than the actual business of the conference was the fostering of understanding and getting to know one another and their problems. She extended a welcome to delegates and observers on behalf of. the branch. Guests of Honour Guests of honour at the re-

ception included the Mayor (Mr G. Manning) and Mrs Manning, the Chancellor of the University of Canterbury (Mr D. W. Bain), the Registrar of the University f bf Canterbury (Mr G. G. Turbott) and Mrs Turbott, representatives of the National Council of Women and the Pan Pacific and South-East Asian Women’s Association, two organisations affiliated to the federation. During the evening items were played by the University of Canterbury quartet