UNIVERSITY EXAMINERS "A BURST SQUIB." TO THE EDITOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 68, 21 March 1914, Page 6

UNIVERSITY EXAMINERS "A BURST SQUIB." TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — 1 suppose it is because the Kefonli Professors of Victoria College are away on their holidays, that they have not informed you of the goings on in London, about the London University, and the report of the Royal Commission thereon. Are you aware that the leport which the reformers lauded, and which, was to be our guide on University education has been condemned by graduates and teachers who have had the benefit of the London University educa* tioiiV May I be permitted to quote t\yo paragraphs from the Educational Supplement of The Times of 3rd February, 1914 ? The Times says :— LONDON UNIVERSITY RECONSTRUCTION. "Two meetings were held last month in opposition to the proposed reconstruction of London University. The first, on 9th January, was convened jointly by the National Union of Teachers, the Association of Teachers tv Technical Institutions, the University of London Graduates' Association, and the Workers' Educational Association. Sir James Yoxall. M.P., presided, and said they might regard the Royal Commission as & 'burst squib.' Letters were read from the Rev. W. Temple and Sir Alfred Rollitt, .supporting the maintenance of external degrees, and a resolu tion moved by_ Canon Masterman, which, while welcoming any extension of opportunities to internal students, strongly deprecated any proposals that limitations should be placed upon tho existing facilities Tor obtaining external degrees was carried with one dissentient, after a speech in support by Mr. A. W. Dakers. A further resolution waa adopted recording emphatic opposition to any change in the organisation of tho University of London which would less* en the influence of the graduates upon its governing body or council, and render it Ires able to continue the work it had successfully performed for more than, half a centiuy by its high standard, and impartial examinations, open on ternis of equality, and irrespective of collegiate attendance or certificates, to all-comers of both sexes and all creeds. *' The other paragraph records the proceedings of a meeting of the Association of Teachers in Technical Institutions. There were three motions unanimously passed opposing the recommendations of the report so far as affecting external students were concerned. The second paragraph ends thus :— " Mr. J. W. Wilson proposed and Mr. P. Coleman secpnded a motion, which was carried unanimously, strongly deprecating in view of the excellent results which have followed in ,the past from t<he close connection between certain polytechnics 'and the University of London, .my suggestion for weakening those bonds." It is perfectly plain from these proceedings in London that the teachers, graduates, and students need reform leaders. We have started a system of lending teachers. Could we not lend Profpssors Laby, Picken, and Yon Zed' litu, of Victoria College, perhaps one of the Canterbury professors also, for a yuar or more, *>o that tho Londoners might be enlightened? What do they know of "right standards" or "impartial examinations"? It is selfish of us to keep " reformers " to ourselves. It. cannot be that we, too, have " burst squibs." — I am, etc., B.A. Wellington. 19th March.