Possibility Of Crisis In N.Z. Universities Seen

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30528, 25 August 1964, Page 18

Possibility Of Crisis In N.Z. Universities Seen

There would be a definite crisis in New Zealand universities unless there was some attempt to think in the terms of achieving not only a parity with but perhaps a lead over Britain in terms of research facilities, student accommodation, and faculty salaries, said Dr. J. R. Flynn, lecturer in political science at the University of Canterbury. Dr. Flynn returned to Christchurch during the week-end from Australia, where he attended the Australian Political Science Association’s conference in Canberra and a conference in Melbourne on American studies. “That was certainly the attitude of most Australian academics In regard to their own country,” he said. “Ironic” The prevailing attitude in New Zealand was that it should aim at falling not too far behind Australia. “But it seems particularly ironic that the Australians consider

their present level—the level which New Zealand hopes to approach—as entirely unsatisfactory,” said Dr. Flynn. Australians realised that the tremendous proposed expansion in university education there would mean intense competition for faculty and student talent, and that anyone who was not prepared to outbid Britain would be left not with a second-rate but a third-rate university system, he said. “My own view is that, unless steps are taken. New Zealand will see the day when perhaps half its university posts will remain permanently vacant.

“The Australians seem to be opening new universities almost yearly, and Britain is doing the same. If New Zealand does not compete there is little doubt that extensive raids will take place. This is a most acute problem that will affect New Zealand’s own new universities,” said Dr. Flynn. American Studies Referring to his own special field, Dr. Flynn said there was a growing interest in American studies in Australia as well as New Zealand. “Indeed, it seems that the University of Canterbury, and perhaps other New Zealand universioties, will have developed integrated programmes in this field within the next few years. “I feel that the Australian universities will watch these New Zealand experiments with interest. If our programmes prove fruitful, then I’m sure others will follow suit,” Dr. Flynn said. Dr. Flynn, his wife, and small son have been in New Zealand slightly more than a year.