University Debates

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 33, 2 November 1933, Page 13

University Debates

Sir,—l think that most thoughtful people will rend with dissatisfaction the report of the committee o£ the council vt Victoria University College on recent discussions by students. So far as the recommendations refer to moral and political questions one can have little comment to make. The advocacy of anarchical or revolutionary political principles, :n a country where there exist adequate laeilities for political redress cannot be defended ; and that the council should safeguard ns far as it is able the morals of the students is equally unqucrtionab*e. But one would like to know on what ground the council will presume to question the suitability of subjects for debates on religious questions. . I believe that a civilisation without an essentially religious basis is in a precarious position, but history has yet to show that regulation by authority is the best means to achieve that end. In the rear in which we celebrate the centenary of Charles Bradlaugh's birth, surely the principles of religious freedom should he observed in other than a lip-serving manner- If religious discussions cause trouble, let nil be prohibited or none. All our laws and traditions are hostile to the claim that any public body can lay down standards’ of religious truth. —I am, CtC " w. J. McELDOWNEY. Wellington, November 1: