Australian University Finance Limited

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31380, 27 May 1967, Page 16

Australian University Finance Limited

Australian universities have recently been informed that there will be virtually no increase in their triennial grants so that there can be no allowance for increased costs or for expansion, said Dr. D. G. Elms, secretary of the Canterbury University branch of the Association of University Teachers, on his return from Australia. Dr. Elms said this was causing widespread concern in the universities, which were considering a variety of ways to meet the situation. "It means that the same amount of butter has to be spread over more slices of bread,” said Dr. Elms, “and every department is having to seek ways to cut back expenditure without interfering with essential requirements.” One professor had decided that he would not cut back his plans for staffing. He preferred to make a 50 per cent reduction in his equipment and maintenance allowance. Other universities and departments were postponing build-

ing proposals. At present, with Australian universities well provided for, these physical cuts might be absorbed, Dr. Elms said, but there must be deterioration in the long run. There were already claims

for some interim adjustments in salaries. Australian university teachers had asked for a 14 per cent increase but this seemed unlikely to be granted in full If New Zealand universities could continue or improve their present position, some of Australia’s advantages in competing for staff might be lessened. Dr. Elms said. The danger was that university teachers, say in Britain, would not realise the hidden effects of the recent Australian cuts.

Dr. Elms said that New Zealand universities could benefit if their wort and facilities were better known. After visiting the Universities of Tasmania, Melbourne, Monash,

Sydney, and New South Wales, he was “pretty pleased.” The Canterbury civil engineering department compared very well, he said. Dr. Elms went to Australia with Dr. R. Parts, Dr. R. C. Fenwick, and Mr T. Paulay to attend a Sydney symposium on concrete structures. It was pleasing, he said, that three of the 16 papers presented came from Canterbury. The Canterbury team valued the exchange of ideas with Australian and other New Zealand colleagues.