A NOVEL SUGGESTION.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 103, 24 January 1908, Page 4

A NOVEL SUGGESTION.

' MILITAin: DlUlil. AS A MATRICUIiATION- SUIiJECT. A. leiliT was received as follows from Colonel Weill), Secretary to the Council of Defence •.—"They following suggestions have been made to the Council of Dcfcncc with the view of having military knowledge inserted as an optional subject lot 1 matrioulalioi' ami S3.A. examination*:

(11. That a higher standard of ellicie.ney in military drill and rille shooting be accepted as excusing a candidate from one of tho matriculation subjects. (2) That a higher standard of the same should be accepted as excusing a candidate from one of the subjects of the li.A. examination. ■ "The above, only to apply to candidates who are at- the time efficient members of a volunteer corps. ,If the principle js admitted details can be. subsequently arranged as to tho particular standard, time and ago at date of passing oxaniinatiou. Tho Council of Defence, before taking-any action thereon, .desires to submit'the-suggestions to the Senate with the request that the proposals may be considered,, and if thought .possible, the Council is prepared to act upon such recommendations as liuiy lie made by the Senate. I have this! honour to 'be, yours, etc., Colonel W"eb», Secretary."

Professor Shand: L snpposi: they mean to include tho use (if the ritle.

Professor J. Macmillan Jlrown: And the revolver. '

Air. Uogben said that some of 'the 1-i'i-vcrsities in America relieved students .of an examination subject in'consideration of; their taking military drill. The liniv.r.-sity. ■of Chicago required all students who did ivt follow seme, game to take, up a <">urso of physical culture, but they ditl not make it an examination subject.

Dr. 51'Dowell suggested that the matter should be referred tn a committee. He .thought it, was right to encourage miliary exercises on the, part of tho young people, and if. .might follow that military d-'ill shfmid ho made one of tho subjects for matriculation. Some of the boys who outcrod for matriculation hud to give a threat deal of time to drill,' and it would relieve them greatly if this could bo made another subject. Itwould be necessary to devise some worthy examiu'ation.

The Chancellor asked if Dr. M'Dowcll would be in favour of making football a subject also.

Dr. WDowell replied that he would not. He did not think that football was of-tho same advantage Tho Hon. C. C. Jlowun said that the question of making military . science a tu'ijcct seemed to be involved, and it would ho well' to ask the Council pf Defence for more definite suggestions as to what was required. The Chancellor' said that- boys of 18 -would not know much about military science.- - Tho Rev. AY. A. Evans said that he did not think that the Senate were likely to treat this matter very, seriously, and it seemed to him that the Sonato's time was too valuable for further discussion of tho proposals. |110 moved that- tho proposals in their present- form could not bo entertained by the Senate..

Dr. Collins said that military drill was now held in considerable estimation in all schools, and if they could find out really what the Council wanted they might come to soino decision in the matter. At present they had not sufficient information to come, to any decision. They could not very well, drop a subject of matriculation. Ho thought, the.y might appoint a committeo to confer with the Council on'tho matter. Mr. Baumo did not- think that, the question should bo disposed of so eavaliorly as Mr. Evans had suggested. . If would ho very little trouble for a committeo to confer with the Council. Ml', liowen thought that this would bo the best course, to follow. ' 1 ■ Tho Chancellor said 110 til'd not think that, they could limit the literary subjects for matriculation merely becauso a hov drilled well. If he was a good footballer or gymnast, lie might make just as good a defender of his country. Tho subjects for matriculation were far more, limited ill New Zealand than in many other countries, some of which required twelve subjects. They now allowing specialisation at the period ot : degrees, which, meant that they ■ must make the Inundation .for degrees broad by making matriculation cover a large number ol subjects. He hoped that tho timo would come,, and it would have to come, oven iiii tho interests of the health of the people, independent of defence, when everyone in his younger years would be put through .somo sort of drill that would set him up phvsicalty, hut ho did not think that such drill should Imv inado a matriculation subjcct. : Dr. M'Dowell suggested that a candidate who took drill might he exempted' from drawing. The. Chancellor' replied that drawing was only an optional subject now. "\

Air. Hogben said that the object of matriculation was., Jo iasceytain . t,ho. student's fitness for a and lie "did'llo't see. what hearing military drill could h.avo 011 that. Such drill-might be a very desirablo thing, but so were- many other tilings which they would not think of including in a Univorsity courso. .. It was decided to refer tho matter to a committee, which shall communicate with tho Council for Defcuce as to the suggestions. , . , LOSS OF REVENUE. A candidates for Honours in Law, who was uiiablo to .sit, applied for, exemption from fee lor next year's examination under circumstances not provided fpr in tho regulations. Mr. Joyut (Registrar) said that- he had always told candidates who applied for exemption that ho could not go outside tho three regulations laid down, but this was rather a special case. He stated that the University was suffering serious financial loss in connection with the Honours in Law and LL.M. examinations.' Entries for theso closed 011 May 1, and after the papers had been ordered from England it frequently happened that candidates found that their professional duties prevented their sitting for the examination. On one occasion six or seven highly technical papers had been ordered from Home, and then not required. This year .025 had been spent on papers which were not used. Tlio papers could not be held from year to year; ho had tried that, course on one occasion, but the excitement and difficulty of keeping the contents secret were too great. It was decided to refuse the application.