System of university autonomy doubted

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33037, 3 October 1972, Page 16

System of university autonomy doubted

An attack on the system of autonomy of New Zealand universities was made in Christchurch last evening by the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Kirk).

Speaking on a parentteacher association panel discussion at Hillmorton High School. Mr Kirk said it was time that there was a "good hard look” at what the university system was costing New Zealand taxpayers.

“There is the notion that • universities must be > autonomous, that because i universities are kt the end 1 of the education system, they ■ are the top of it. I don’t > share that view,” Mr Kirk said. University autonomy was not something “created by God” but created by Parliament, and Parliament was supreme in this country, he said. "What I’d like to see is some inquiry into the direction of university education at the present time.” Mr Kirk described as , "ludicrous” the decision to i build a further university in I Auckland when the existing I medical schools had to turn away candidates. i The country had no need > for an eighth university when • the technical institute system ■ offered alternatives—many i of which had not been developed at all, he said.