French Prof. Buys Books

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32010, 10 June 1969, Page 18

French Prof. Buys Books

A French professor spent most of last evening combing the shelves of a Christchurch sec-ond-hand shop looking for New Zealand books. As a result of his search, Professor V. Dupont, will take back to the University of Toulouse about 70 more books for a library used by French students.

The professor is in charge of a centre established two years ago for the study of civilisations of Commonwealth countries. He said it was established two years ago, and studies began on New Zealand and Australia.

“Your embassy was most helpful right from the start,” Professor Dupont said. “There are 40 students involved in New Zealand studies for their master’s degrees, and some for their doctorates.”

He said they were all very keen and there was a sense of discovery and pioneering for

all concerned. As a result of his purchases of books in New Zealand and Australia, he would have a library of 700 books. Professor Dupont, who heads the department of English civilisation and literature studies, said he hoped the centre would gain more recognition in the university system of France. He said it was the only one of its type in France and the only other one in Europe was a department for the study of Commonwealth countries at Leeds University. “I am very fond of England,” Professor Dupont said. “I have found everyone very friendly here, but the impression is not so much of a change in geography from England, but a change in history—on Sundays particularly it seems mid-Victorian.” Once only had he struck the “couldn’t care less attitude." It happened when he went into a shop two minutes before 9 a.m. The door had been open, but when he went in, the assistant pointed out

there were two minutes to go. “I said there was only one minute to go now, and that I would go out and return in one minute,” Professor Dupont added. “But they were very helpful after that.” As to New Zealand wine, “I was very pleasantly surprised,” said Professor Dupont. “But your own people wrote in a leaflet I read that it was all right if a little sour. It was a pleasant experience, and I come from Burgundy.”

New Zealand food he described as “plentiful.” Professor Dupont said he considered the novelist, Janet Frame, a great writer. “I am a great admirer of hers, and even my students joke about ‘my’ Janet Frame,” he said. New Zealand was becoming history conscious by making collections of books and articles. This showed some sense of awareness as a nation. Up to the beginning of the century, there was one eye on business and one eye on England, even if at times it was a rather critical eye.

He refused to be drawn on any political questions. Professor Dupont said two of his former students were in university posts in New Zealand, and many New Zealand university people visit the University of Toulouse while on leave. Two students from Wellington were at present on bursaries from the French Government at the university. The professor’s visit has been financed by the French Government, the New Zealand universities and the External Affairs Department. He is lecturing throughout the country.