ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 182, 29 April 1933, Page 11

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Staffs of Universities AUCKLAND APPROVAL By Telegraph—-Press Association. Aticiilantl, April 28. The Auckland District. Court of Convocation of the University, at a general meeting last night, discussed in general terms the control, if any, which should be exercised over the expressions of opinion of the members of the university staff. It was resolved by a. substantial majority that "Ihe court approves ami endorses the principle of academic freedom. and regards it as a matter of the highest importance that all interference on the part of any outside political authority or any university governing body with tiie freedom of expression of opinion by members of the university staff, except in so far as such expression of opinion may involve breach of the law, should be strenuously resisted.” An amendment favouring “legitimate” academic freedom moved by the Rev. Dr. Hanston and supported by Professor W. Anderson was rejected. Dr. Kanston contended that, though tiie university teacher, speaking on bisown subject, could rightly be regarded as an authority, when he spoke on subjects outside his specially he was only :t 1.-iyni.'in. ’Die public did not re.Hlse litis, therefore liberty of expression should not be absolute.