CAPPING CEREMONY

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 113, 16 May 1927, Page 10

CAPPING CEREMONY

MANNERS AND GOOD SENSE (To th* Editor.) r t . he cri Ucißm of “Disgusted Graduate in your issue of FridaylMt seems mainly directed against me, and as the question as to whether the eeremony m connection with the capping of this year’s, graduates should be open to undergraduates seems of general interest, I should like to state briefly tho reasons that led me to support the proposal. r It is well known that for many years past the speakers at the graduation ceremonies in the Town Hall have not been accorded a fair hearing by a certain section of undergraduates. , Th* Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, the Vice-Chancellor, the chairmen of the College Council, Judges of the Supreme Court, and distinguished public men on most occasions have not been allowed to prqeeed with their addresses. It may be that some of th* speakers were at times inaudible to the undergraduates, but even this excuse is not available in the cash of those who were audible in the farthest parts of the hall. They wer* treated in the same manner. The comments of ‘‘Disgusted Graduate” on the suitability of the speeches and their nature no ■ doubt expresses bis own opinion and probably that of a number of undergraduates, but ho ignores the fact that a large number of the public, at least as well qualified as himself to judge, differed from his opinion that the ad- ' dresses were “ dreary and totally urnsuited tor the occasion,” and wished to hear all the speakers had to say. Rif attitude seems to 'show a complete of consideration for those who differ from him. It is the similar attitude on the part of the undergraduates that has. led to the present decision. I think every member of the eouneil and the Professorial ‘Board would prefer that the undergraduates should bd present at the capping ceremony, but as they have almost invariably failed to show proper courtesy to the speakers and consideration for the public* they can hardly complain at their exclusion. The speakers in many ease* are men who have given their services freely .-in the cause of university education, and in most other cases are distinguished public men. Even without these claims the speakers are. entitled to a fair hearing. My own view is in agreement with what I understand .to be the generally accepted view, that this has not been accorded, them. High spirits and general exuberance on the part of the undergraduates is, I hope* normal and welcome. But a certain ■section have regularly shown a Isclt of : both good manners and good sente. Various steps have been taken in tho past in an attempt to minimise tho trouble, but hare proved ineffective. I supported (the present course, .as a last resort, to ensure that proceedings would ' be conducted with propriety. I may add that shortly after the last, graduation ceremony the College Council, on the recommendation of the Professorial Board, and with the events of thq capping ceremony fresh in their ' minds, decided to hold the next graduation ceremony in the college library. The resolution carried on 'Wednesday, last merely affirms this. May I be permitted to add : that I hope the undergraduates may . find a suitable vent for - their high spirits at their fellow-students’ successes at the undergraduates’ supper; and that thereafter they may give the matters referred to in this letter careful con--sideration. —I am, etc., ARTHUR FAIR.