PREMIER ON TOUR

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 5, 7 January 1927, Page 11

PREMIER ON TOUR

EDINBURGH UNIVERSITY

THE LAUREATION CEREMONY

MB. COATES MEETS STUDENTS,

CFrom Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, 27th November

The Upper Library of Edinburgh University whera Mr. Coates, Mr. W. S. Monroe (Prime Minister of Newfoundland), and the Maharajadhiraja of Burdwan. received their honorary degrees is a stately chamber with an arched roof almost lost in the gloom above. Innumerable olectric bulbs illumined the central space, but threw little light beyond the imposing Doric pillars which flanked the hall. The general public was represented in the large-audience" rather than; the students, and th_e proceedings were almost free from the light ljumonr that" generally characterises a capping ceremony. Most of the Indian, Australian, Canadian, and New Zealand students were present, however,-to do honour to ,the Indian Prince and their Prime Ministers. Mr. Bruce and Mr. Mackenzie King, who had been capped on a previous visit to this country, had soats on the platform. -Principal' Sir J. Alfred Ewing, X.C.8., LL.D., presided, and the recipients of the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws were presented by the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Professor H. K. Mackintosh, D.Phil.,. D.D. ■ Professor Mackintosh said that he need hardly remind the guests that the abiding strength of Edinburgh. University was its universality. It had long taken a leading place in Imperial education, receiving much fine material from every quarter where the flag flew, and - exporting its finished products more freely still; In the academic year which began last month, they had already enrolled 164 students from India, 92 from South Africa, and, considerable though smaller quotas from the other Dominions. Tho outflow was not so easy to measure, but it was common knowledge that the Edinburgh doctor and, teacher and engineer were übiquitous.' That Imperial status of the university, that comradeship of the young manhood of the Empire in its studies and social life, gave .-Miem a vory close and sympathetic interest in the proceedings of the Imperial Conference. It was ah additional ploasure that they were honoured with the presence of the Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia, who wore Edinburgh Doctors of an earlier creation- ■ A MODERN CINCTNNATUS. Professor Mackintosh then introduced the three graduates. Mr. Coates and the Maharajah, in their rod robes, stood side by side, two imposing figures, the Indian representative for the first time appearing bareheaded. In introducing Mr. Coates, Professor Mackintosh said:—

"New. Zealanders are by nature, as by nanie,; progressives, and they readily give their, allegiance to a strong personality like their present' Prime Minister, who is more of an administrator than a politician, more of a doer than, a talker. Like 'Cincinnatus, Mr. ■ Coates left his farm with a fine physiquo and a sane outlook to serve his country in peace and in war. War claimed him first, and he 'did his bit' well with the Expeditionary Force in France, obtaining his majority and the Military Cross. His chiof post-war achievements wcro in the Department of Public Works, where Be applied himself with characteristic vigrar to reforming the management of f roads and railways and to devoloping electrical power;, Last year he reached his present High office amid general appro-bation-—the first native-born Premier of New Zealand. It is interesting .to know that he has just passed an Act for the preservation of tho ancient arts and crafts of the Maoris."

As each graduate came forward tHe Principal spoke a Latin formula ana touched the recipient of the degree on the head with a plush cap. This particular cap lias been used :for the same •purpose for 250 years. It is reported to be made out of the material of an old pair of trousers belonging to a famous principal of the College—George Buchanan. . , UNIVERSITY'S INFLUENCE; After tlie capping ceremony, Sir Alfred Ewing said that Edinburgh Univ.ersity was far more than a university of -the metropolis of Scotland. It was in some sense a University of Greater Britain and any representatives ■ of the great Dominions who came there would at once find themselves at home. For the Dominions sent to them students to study not only ordinary arts and science subjects, but engineering, forestry, agriculture, law, and, above all, medicine. If they took the last 140 years—and that was surely long enough to go back to the earliest influence,of the Dominions—the University of Edinburgh had turned loose upon a sick world no fewer than 16,000 qualified practitioners—(A Voice: "Shame!") —and of those 16,000 who had come to them to receive at least a legal qualification to practise—(laughtor) —nearly _ 5000 had come from Greater Britain. And that, after all, was only one link, for another was that of the British-born students many had gone to the . colonies. Further, • they had sent,to the staffing of the universities in the. Dominions many of their own best products. If one looked through the roll of the professoriate in any Dominion university one would find many indications that they were shaping the educational policy and making those far-away universifii s. so effective that very soon there would be no longer any need for the Dominions to send their sons to the University of Edinburgh. At least not for undergraduate courses. But he hoped that fof a very long time to come it would remain the practico of men who had received their qualifications in Dominion and Indian universities *to come here for post-graduate courses.

The Maharajah, in replying, saia that it had been interesting for him to know thoro was such a large number of Indian students in Edinburgh University. He felt that their rubbing shoulders with the other raw stuff they had there —(laughter)—would give them the thrift, industry, and grit which they so badly needed in India, to raise India to the position every loyal Indian expected it to be raised to. A reference had been made to sickness. His province was perhaps.the sickest, because it had enormous sickness, 1 which required the skill of the best medical men in the world, arid he trusted many of the _ medical students would return to India to do their share to improve tho health of India, EDUCATION IN NEW ZEALAND. Mr. Coates saia he knew how deeply the honour, would be appreciated by the people of New Zealand. T'-e University of Edinburgh was one of thegreat universities, not only of Great Britain, but of the Empire. New Zealand in the past had had a close connection with'that university. Particularly .was that the case in respect to the medical profession in New Zealand, whose ranks had been largely recruited from Edinburgh University. The New Zealand University, young -though it was_ in comparison with the older seat of learning, had been the I nursery of such men- as Sir Ernest -Kutherfqrd, whose name was worldfamous in the realm of physical science; the late Professor K. 0. Maclaurin, one of the most distinguished mathematicians of Cambridge; whilst the Civil Service of India had been en-

richod by the presence of Sir William Marris, whoso unique services had earned the special commendation of tire Government of India. And.that li3t could 68311/ be extended.

It might not be without interest if ho mentioned or.c or two points in connection with their systpm of education in New Zealand. Primary education was free, compulsory, and secular. In secondary education 90' per cent, of the pupils received free instruction as a result of scholarships, ' bursaries, . and; certificates of .proficiency gained at the primary schools. At the universities, 40 per cent, of the students received free education. In fact, thero was nothing to prevent any youth, even of the humblest parentage, going through his primary course and finishing at the uniyorsity practically free of cost to himself or his family. (Applause.) Might he be permitted to -put in a ploa for a wider dissemination' of knowledge respecting the history, geography, and potentialities of, tho Empire? He had often been struck with the lack of knowledge on the part of British citizens in that respect. .It would help greatly the cause of• Empire unity, and a better understanding of their common problems, if that branch of instruction were to receive more attention in their schools, collegos ,and universities. NEW ZEALAND STUDENTS. After the ceremony the Pri-ae Ministers went on to a reception held in another part of the college. Here the overseas delegates met students from their respective countries. Over twenty New Zealand students—mainly medical—were' present, and Mr. Coates had a conversation with each one of them. The events of the day were not by any means over. In the evening about half of the visitors (including Mr. Coates and his party) were" entertainod at a private dinner in the North British. Hotel by Mr. William Whitelaw, chairman of the L. and .N.E. Bailway Company. During tho latter part of the dinner a mixed choir from the North British Bailway Musical Association sang a number of well-known Scottish songs unaccompanied. • The singing was greatly appreciated "oy all the visitors, who called for famous and familiar songs. Later on the visitors had the honour of meeting members of the Edinburgh branch of the Victoria League" at Lady Kndlay's house. Lady Firidlay, who is president of the league, is the wife of /Sir John Findlay, proprietor of "The Scotsman," Edinburgh's chief newspaper. Tho guests,' who were received by Sir John and Lady Findlay, included the Marchioness of Linlithgow, the Earl and Countess of Glasgow, Countess of Cassillis, the Viscountess Noyar, Lord' Torpiehen, Lord and Lady Kinross, tho Lord Justice Clerk and Lady^Alness, Lord and Lacly Murray, Lord. and. Lady Mackenzie, Lord Blackburn and Lady Constance Blackburn, Lady Salvesen, Lady Dundas of Arniston, .Lady Stewart-Clark, Principal Sir Alfred and Lady Ewing. Although the reception brought tho official proceedings of the day to a close there are rumours, that at least some of the visitors .felt it necessary to take exercise at certain excollent dancing halls in tho city. 85, Fleet street.