Mr Muldoon, and university staff

Press, 27 February 1980, Page 24

Mr Muldoon, and university staff

Sir, — Professor Crawford (February 26), commented on Mr Muldoon’s remarks about university cut-backs and on the opposite page Roger Mackey and Dr Ritchie discussed Maori schooling. These illustrate the thinking of the two extremes of a new society division, based on intellectualism rather than wealth or birth. The present craze for intellectual qualities above any other -physical energy personality; integrity etc. has had some bad effects: university degrees have become inflated in value; the universities have gone in for empire-building; the dignity of physical or non-intellec* tual labour has depreciated; those (including many Polynesians) who have not a home atmosphere conducive to study have lost their selfconfidence. The latter also lack an ulcerating ambition to succeed at all costs, but traditionally prefer an easier and calmer — and perhaps enviable — way of enjoying life. Mr Muldoon and Dr Ritchie are both to be commended for narrowing the gap. — Yours, etc.,

V. F. WILKINSON, February 26, 1980.