FREE SPEECH

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 70, 24 March 1933, Page 13

FREE SPEECH

"ACADEMIC FREEDOM"

TEACHERS SEEK SUPPORT

OLD WORLD TRADITION

The question of the right of free speech in the university colleges formed the subject of considerable discussion at last evening's meeting of 4 the Victoria University College Council, a letter on the subject having been received from the University Teachers' Association of New Zealand. The teaqhers appealed for support from the governing bodies of.-tjho university colleges and the Senate for "their co-

operation, as occasion'may require, in asserting, protecting, and maintaining the right of. what is generally known as 'academic freedom.' "

Although not citing directly a ease in Auckland where a member of the university college staff was penalised for an expression of opinion, it was recognised that the object of the letter was to draw attention to this case. The action in question had, according to the communication, "raised feelings of disquietude in the minds of "many university teachers." ESSENTIAL PUNCTIONS. The right of academic freedom,- stated the letter, was generally defined as comprising three constituent rights, all of them necessary if a university was to discharge its essential functions as generally understood .in British countries. They were: (1) The right of the university, as the highest, form.of educational institution and the expert agent of society, to express its views upon the nature, the scope, and the methods of education; (2) the right to seek the- truth in all things by- whatever effective legitimate means it is to be found, and: (3) the right to'xoublish and teach the truth.. . . Free investigation; free discussion; and free expression of truth and opinion were among the inalienable rights of all British citizens and were limited only in so far as they conflicted with law." There was therefore a peculiarly strong, case for resisting any further Vestriction upon the- freedom of the university. In the present time of difficulty, investigation and the proclamation of I truth were more than over necessary. Upon the university and its teachers and researchers fell the duty, in an especial sense, to do the work, and that necessitated the grant of the-"- fullest freedom for them if society w.ns to .receive the greatest good, from their services.

The- letter continued: "The'vital importance of such jfrecdom lioth for tho Hfo of tho individual and for civilised society is recognised to the full in the practice of tho Home universities, where tho staffs are uniformly expected and encouraged to bring their investigations and teachings into direct relations with the problems of a changing world." Quotations : frbm J. S. Mill, Professor J. B. Bury, Dr. Plexner, Dr. N. Murray Butler, and Dr. Campbell "West-Watson were appended to support the contentions. "SOCIAL STABILITY.1.! The association affirmed that its members had.a due sense of tho heavy responsibility which the recognition of this right placed upon university teachers. "They recognise the necessity to preserve all that is good in civilisation and to -maintain a- certain social stability and order without which any efforts at progress would stultify themselves," the letter read, " and they therefore strive to make full use of their opportunities of developing, in.tleii" students a keen sense of moral tlioughtfulness and responsibility so that: the results of investigation and discovery may be available to society for pxac^tical application to the ever-changing conditions of modern social life." The association also stressed the point that a university and all those connected with it could never attain to that to which its functions entitled it, and which it,had long enjoyed in England and Europe, so long .as its teachers were denied full- academic freedom in the' sense in which it had been defined. The association looked to the governing bodies to resist any attempt from outside, whether by the pressure of a temporary change in public opinion, of vested or sectional interests, or of political parties to interfere with the university in the exercise of the- traditipnal right'of free speech. For its part the association would do all it could to foster among its members a proper sense of their responsibilities and duties to society. But it felt that their function was fraught with so much significance for the community that it would be lacking in its duty if it did not draw public attention to the vital importance of the subject of academic freedom at a time when society and the State stood in particular need of assistance from expert and impartial sources and when force of adverse circumstances incited all sorts o£ interested parties to a demand for 'restriction of freedom of investigation, thought, and expression. In support of the attitude of the Teachers' Association, Professor T. A. Hunter said: "At the meeting of the association it was felt desirable in the interest of university life in New Zealand that there should be some expression of opinion to point out the dangers of the repression of the right of free speech. ... It is most important that we should try, as far as we can, to live up to the, university tradition of the Old World. . . . The letter shows that the association is not unaware of the responsibilities that fall to people in making statements.' There is a feeling all over the world today in getting the freest possible expression of opinion." ' Professor Hunter stated that he thought the council could quite well receive the letter and inform the writers fhat it agreed with the principles and would willingly support them as laid down. THE OXFORD RESOLUTION. Several members doubted the wisdom of doing what Professor Hunter suggested. The recent resolution passed by students at Oxford that they would not fight for their country was recalled, and it was stated that such a thing should be guarded against in New Zealand. Mr. T. R. Cresswell: How far could a resolution of this type be taken as a reflection on another body? How far could it be taken as a reflection on the Aueklfnd Cduueil1? It was pointed out that no reflection was necessary. Any motion passed need not refer to a happening iv the .Dominion. The Hon. E. McCallum, M.L.C., quoted Lord Acton's 37th letter, which stated that opinions should bo followed to the -last, even if they lea to atheism. It was reiterated that the council should not let itself be drawn into "anything that had happened at another university college." It was important that no reflection should be cast on another body. A member moved that the letter be received. A VITAL PRINCIPLE. After further argument, Mr. P. Levi, chairman of the'council, moved: "That, without expressing any opinion on any matters that have recently arisen in the Dominion, this council has joined in agreeing with the principle of academic freedom as expressed in the letter." The motion was not seconded, Mr. Justice Ostler sayiug that the principle

involved was a vital one in university life. One of the university professors had been credited with having Socialistic, even Communistic, opinions, but his worthy in the university was great. They should^ not let the opportunity pass without expressing some opinion upon it. It was a matter of vital importance that a man should have the free right of expressing his own opinions.

The chairman supported this contention, and. after further consideration a committee consisting of the chairman, Professor Hunter, and Mr. 'Justice Ostler was set up to frame a resolution on the subject and bring it before the next meeting of the college council.