THE UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Evening Star, Issue 12418, 3 February 1905, Page 4

THE UNIVERSITY SENATE.

AUCKLAND, February 3. The Senate passed a commercial course this morning. It provides' thtee years’ study, the farSt. examination to take 'place in two years after entriaefe. The curriculum covers French or Geriliah, history, geography, economics, nrathetnaties or orlg of the following sciences :■ —Physics, chemiktiryj and geology—-and accountdliby. The Second examination, which will be held a year later, takes “in conUiiercial law 3 Commercial methods, French or German, accountancy , or one of the three sCfehcCs aoove net previously taken, arid two 6f the following:—Achiqrial mathemitics, _ industrial law, economics, histoiy, and currency and banking; languages and economics to be the same as fob 8.A.; general history, 1760 to 1890; B.A. algebra, intermediate medical physics, chemistry, geology, B.A. physical paper second examination. The Seriate will rise to-ihbrrbw. [SraciAt, to Tina StAJI.'J AUCKLAND, February 3. The degree in divinity, practically ever since the folmdalibn of,the New Zealand University Controlling Body; has avoided anything approaching air appearance of the rellgous atmespbero of the Old World universities, even to the extent of declining to .have anything to do with degrees in divinity. Last year, when the new degrees were suggested to tbo Senate, they, incontinently threw oiit the proposal for a degrfee in divinity bii the voices.

Sir Maurice OTtorke gave notice yesterday that he would move for on extension of charter for and inclusion of a degree in divinity. A few remarks, passed by members at the time made it appear that they did not regard the proposal with any sort of enthusiasm, but when a division on Sir Maurice’s motion came, those, who favored the adoption of the decree had a majority of three. In moving the resolution, Sir Maurice admitted that he might be open tb the taunt that he was a member of Parliament five-and-thirty years ago, and that he should have protected the faculty of divinity against the black mark that was then put against the recognition of divinity within the colony. But a hew .generation had come into existence since 1870. and he hoped it would prove that it was wiser than that which was afraid to encourage the study of theology. It was to his mind shocking that whilst every subject under the-sun was entitled to recognition by degrees, the oldest of all faculties labored under a kind of excommunication ftoid academia recognition. He was not proposing that the University should undertake the teaching, of divinity, but that it should lay down a theological course of divinity that would be acceptable to all Christian denominations, If that could be done in the great States of America, surely such a curriculum could be devised for New Zealand; He had a filial affection for the clerical profession, arid ho would be false to his feelmgs if he did not try to remove the stigma at present attached to divinity in the University of New Zealand and in the Australian universities.

Professor Salmond seconded the motion, and said the temper of the pnblic mind towards the theological question liiui much changed during the last twenty-five years. The odium theologian), ds a form of human emotion, had almost passed away; ahd it was now agreed to apply human reasons impartially and fearlessly to all questions whatever, and it was felt that religion was comparatively indifferent to intellectual results. Further, a large number Of intelligent persons of all classes were profoundly interested lb theological problems, such Os those of the Higher Criticism. By siich an extension of charter as this proposed, the Senate would be enlarging the basis, of the University, would enlist the sympathies of a larger number of persons thali at present, arid generally Would tend to further popularise the institution and broaden and deepen its foundations.