New University In Manawatu Planned

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29843, 8 June 1962, Page 10

New University In Manawatu Planned

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, June 7. The Minister of Education (Mr Tennent) has been asked to sponsor legislation this year to establish a university college in Manawatu. Massey College has agreed to amalgamate with Victoria University’s branch college al Palmerston North. The proposed new name is “Massey University College of Palmerston North.”

Later, the college is expected to develop into an independent university in Manawatu. Mr Tennent said the request for legislation- had been made after talks between representatives of the councils of Victoria University and Massey College. The new university college would be governed by a newly-constituted council.

“With the assured international reputation that Massey College already enjoys in agriculture and the proposed development of veterinary science there, combined with the great increase in student ■ numbers now coming forward to all our universities, there is a

wonderful opportunity here for an imaginative development in higher education that will be of lasting benefit to the young people of New Zealand and a civic asset of which Palmerston North can be very proud.” He said tonight that discussions were still going on between representatives of the two councils under the chairmanship of Dr. F. J. Llewellyn, chairman of the University Grants Committee Both institutions were closely interested in the matter.

Massey College had been at Palmerston North since its foundation 35 years ago and Victoria Universit/ now conferred degrees for which teaching was carried out at Massey and also had a thriving branch of its arts faculty at Hokowhitu. “When it was asked if the Government would introduce the necessary legislation it was assured that it has been agreed that Massey College and Victoria University’s branch college should amalgamate.” Mr Tennent said.

University college status would be merely a transitional period, he said.