DIVINITY DEGREES

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 46, 24 February 1937, Page 19

DIVINITY DEGREES

POSITION DEPLORED

METHODIST DISCUSSION

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, February 23.

"The calendar of the University of New Zealand shows that one may study primitive Greek and Roman religions for one's degree, but there is no provision for the religion of the New Testament," declared Dr. H. Ranston, principal of Trinity Theological Collage, when deploring the inability of, the University to confer theological degrees. During a discussion at the Dominion Methodist Conference, Dr. Ranston explained that to secure a divinity degree New Zealand students were obliged to study overseas, and it was a regretable fact that some of the best of these young men stayed abroad. He. recalled that a Royal Commission on university education in New, Zealand had reported in 1925 strongly in favour of the University conferring degrees in divinity, and subsequently the Senate affirmed its agreement. In 1935 it had remained firm to this principle, but had decided that it was not practicable to secure legislation from (.he Government. c Dr. Ranston considered that if the Senate were determined on this matter the necessary amending legislation could be obtained, and on his motion two resolutions were carried. The first expressed appreciation of .the pronouncement of the Senate in favour of the -general principle of establishing degrees in divinity or theology, but regretted its statement that it did not consider it practicable •to secure the necessary amendments of the University Acts as would enable it to confer such degrees. A request was made, for the Senate to again explore the possibility of securing the necessary amendments. It was also decided to request the councils of the university colleges to arrange, or permit to be arranged, in the university centres a series of lectures by competent persons on the fundamentals of religious faith. . . '