UNIVERSITY REFORM.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1912, Page 3

UNIVERSITY REFORM.

• I ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL REPORT. Th-c following extracts are taken from the annual report of tha University Reform Association :—: — Petition to Parliament. — A petition, praying- for a Royal Commission into University education in New Zealand, was presented to Parliament by tho president of tha association, Mr. A. L. Herdmun, M.P. The petition was referred'to the Education Committee of th& House- of Representatives, which took evidence, and "reported that th© case for reform had- been established, but that the Senate appeared to b© moving towards 'reform, and should be given an opportunity of making the neoessary changes. Pamphlet : University Reform in New Zealand. — The committee deemed it advisable to present the whole case for reform in pamphlet form. The general questions were dibcuesed at many committee meetings, and the publication of the pamphlet then, left in the hands of a 'small sub-committee. The answers to th© questions submitted by the association to authorities in Great Britain, America, and Australia were printed as an appendix to th© pamphlet. Th© value of such a publication was shown at th© enquiry before th© Education Committee, and by the favourable review by tho London Times, 1 which supports th© views of the association, 'and has effectively answered the arguments of Professor Sal© and Mr. J. W. Joynt. Tho opinions obtained from within the Dominion were ah-o placed before the Education Committee. Meeting of Senate. — The annual meeting of Senate was held in Wellington, and a sub-committee wae set up to enlighten the public on th© nature of the proposals discussed by the Senate. Tho notes,- which were' published 'in the daily papers, helped to arouse public interest in th© meeting of the Senate and to direct attention to the urgent necessity for reform. It is indeed gratifying to note that th© Senate at length rocognised that something must be done, and wisely agreed to summon an annual professional conference to discuss academic matters. Future Work. — Tho committee has considered ' the future action of the assoicatiori, 'and suggests : (1) That the co-operation of the Victoria College- Council be sought to obtain an amendment of the Victoria College Act so as to permit members of the teaching staff to occupy seats on the council. (2) That a systematic effort be made to indue© the beet ment to contest seats on the college councils. (3) That the importance of. university reform be 'brought under the notice o*f members of Parliament. (4) That endeavours be made to start Reform Associations -in other centres. Finance.— The cost of th© publication 0^ the\pamp«:*t leaves the association with a debit balance of come £40. An effort should- be made to reduce this liability. ■ Thanks.— Th© best thanka of the association are due to Mrs. Richmond Hursthouse and her pupils foi a substantial contribution towards th© cost of printing the pamphlet, to the.editirs of the pamphlet, to Professor Picken for editing "University Notes" during the meeting of Senate, and 'to th© editors of tho daily papers who have given th© association every opportunity cf Btating its case.