UNIVERSITY ACT

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 48, 26 February 1927, Page 9

UNIVERSITY ACT

REPLY TO CRITICISM

As ono who took part in the negotiations for the preparation of the New Zealand University Bill passed last session, Dr. 33. Marsdcn (ex-Assistant Director, of Education) made a statement yesterday afternoon in reply to the criticism of'the Minister of Education: and the Department of Education at the University Council meetings at Auckland. It was'alleged at Auckland that the University authorities' were 'not sufficiently consulted when the Bill was being prepared.

Dr. Marsden gives the facts as follows :—The departmental draft of the proposed University Bill, embodying tho recommendations of the University Commission, was drawn up in March last. In its drafting Professor Hunter, as representing the University Senate, was consulted. > The draft was printed and laid for discussion before— (1) The full University Senate at its meeting on 25th May; (2) a meeting in Wellington of two representatives of each University: College Council on 27th May; (3)-a meeting bf the -of the Professorial.Boards of.the University Colleges, together with the 'chairman of tho Board of' Studies (28th May) 1. x ■

At: eachVconference the members were supplied with printed copies of the Bill, which was discussed clause by clause, officers of Department being present. ■'-■'•,...

The Bill was revised in the light of these discussions, but, before being introduced in the House, was submitted (30th .July) to , Professor . Eankine Brown, Vice-Chancellor of the University; and. Professor Hunter (in the absence ' of cthe._<3haneel!or, Professor :Maemillanj;Brown, who was out of the country).'; Neither' the Vice-Chancellor nor Professor Hunter had any criticism to offer .beyond.certain verbal amendments which were adopted, and the question cf financial appropriation, which they considered inadequate. -Immediately after the Bill was introduced into the House, copies were supplied to the ; University and .were discussed, clause by clause, before a meeting of a special committee of the Senate. Minor amendments suggested at this meeting were introduced-at the committee stage, when ■ the .Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bankine Brown,: attended. ;. "It 'wiH'-:thus: Toe seen," 'said "Dr. Marsden," that, the University authorities were given reasonable Opportunity formaking suggestions in regard to the University Amendment Act. So far as my memory serves me, the position of Lincoln College in regard to the University Bill was .not raised either by the' departmental, or: Be, Site representa-tives,-r>-any of .the conferences."