AN ALIEN PROFESSOR

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 118, 20 May 1915, Page 2

AN ALIEN PROFESSOR

HIS PRESENT POSITION ACTION BY VICTORIA COLLEGE COUNCIL. An animated discussion took place at the Victoria College Council meeting last night relative to the position of Professor yon iZedlitz, Professor of Modern Languages at the college. For the purpose of introducing the question, Mr. 0. Wilson moved, when accounts were being passed, to strike out the item of £58 6s 8d salary for the professor. The time had come when the position of this gentleman should be made the subject of a statement. Especially in yiew of late events in the war, there was very widespread dissatisfaction amongst the public that there was engaged in teaching their young men an absolute alien, not even naturalised. iWhile men who were fourth and fifth-class engineers were being interned, this man, who held a high position, was being left alone. He had nothing to say against Professor yon Zedlitz personally. He was a capable and amiable gentleman. Anybody who had anything to do with the teaching of modern languages knew that in teaching the higher branches, when the history of a language was being considered, it was almost impossible to refrain from expressions of personal opinion. While New Zealand's sons were suffering in the Dardanelles, and while they were hearing of the use of poisonous gases and other things by this nation of liars and scoundrels, they had an unnaturalised German teaching the brothers and cousins of the men who were dying at the front. It was a disgrace to the council, and the people outside were talking about it all over the place. No one had had the courage to "bell the cat," and he was going to do so. He was leaving the council, and he did not mind what councillors thought of him or his actions. In this matter, he was not a pclitician seeking cheap popularity. It was suggested outside that they were keeping this gentleman on their staff because he had high-placed friends in society. When that suggestion was made to him, he had laughed at it. but it showed the public feeling. Sir Robert Stout "said he had considerable sympathy with Mr. Wilson in some things he had said, because they could not blind themselves to the fact that they were in great trouble, and the peoplo were feeling the position. He thought the proper thing was to\ask the Finance Committee to see Professor Zedlitz, and. if he desired to remain on the College staff, tell him that-he should be naturalised here. He moved that the question be referred to the Finance Committee for report. Mr. W. Ferguson said this matter had been before the Finance Committee, and had been reported to the Council. Mr. AVilson said he knew nothing of this. If it were said that the Council had a contract with the professor, he would point out that all contracts with aliens of enemy races were broken off by law. The Chairman (Mr Clement Watson) said he had desired to refer to this matter before, but had not done so in view of a statement made by the previous chairman that the Government had issued a- proclamation that law-abiding Germans would not be interfered with. Mr Wilson replied that the Hon. A. L. Herdman had said that no unnaturalised German could be kept in Government employ. They were practically a Government institution, yet they retained the services of an unnaturalised German. Mr. C. B. Morison stated that Professor Yon Zedlitz, who was an eminently sensible gentleman, came to the Council on the outbreak of war and offered to resign. He was a high-minded gentleman, and at once placed his fate in the hands of the Council. "The chairman/ Mr. Morison continued, "consulted me, and I said I thought the resignation was unnecessary. From what I learnt in the discussion of the subject with the professor, I am inclined to believe that he is no longer a German citizen. He has been so long away that if he returned he would at once be interned." Sir Robert Stout: Then all the more reason why he should be naturalised. =. Mr. Morison said he understood private matters entered into that question. "In discussing the matter, at least we should have regard for the civilities, and if we are going to do anything, let us do it decently." j Mr. Wilson : Does the gentleman suggest that the manner of approaching this question is indecent? Mr. Morison : It is a little offensive. Mr. Wilson said he had no knowledge of the professor's offer to resign. No doubt Professor Yon Zedlitz had warm friends on the Council who were doing their best for him now. Mr. Morison: I like to see justice done. When Sir Robert Stout's motion was being put, Mr. Ferguson suggested that the report be presented in committee. Against this Mr. Wilson protested. He knew nothing of the previous report, and he did not see why the matter should not be made public. Mr. A. R. Atkinson stated that the previous chairman (Mr. Ostler) submitted copies of the correspondence, but Mr. Wilson was not present. Mr. Morison and Mr. Ferguson urged that any matter affecting a member of the staff personally should be taken in committee. . The motion was adopted without the committee stipulation.