DUNEDIN SITTING CONCLUDED

Evening Star, Issue 19000, 23 July 1925, Page 2

DUNEDIN SITTING CONCLUDED

The University Commission that has been sitting in Dunedin since Friday last, concluded its business yesterday afternoon. UNIVERSITY COUNCIL'S REPORT Mr W. J. Morrell (Vice-Chancellor of the Otago University) submitted tho report of the special committee set up by tho University Council:— The committee was of opinion that tho present facilities for university education of the ordinary typo wci'O, generally speaking, sufficient, but that the various colleges should have at their disposal larger funds for extension and W.E.A. work. It is thought that funds should bo available for a university man of good standing to bo stationed in such towns as Invercargill as full-time tutor, with local charge of the W.E.A. and extension work. Tho salary for such a man should rise to a maximum of not less than £SOO. Tho council reaffirmed that it was most desirable to maintain tho principle of specialisation in connection with the recognised professional schools. It was desirable that tho professions of modish no, dentistry, law, engineering, and accountancy, and iho agricultural interest should be directly represented on the Senate. The council was strongly opposed to the setting up of four independent universities within the dominion, regarding such a step as entirely premature, and as undesirable both lor educational and financial reasons. Additional funds should be provided for the appointment of assisianls to the professors at adequate salaries, so as to allow of the professors devoting more time to research. Additional fellowships and short-term tutorships should bo available for tho best post-graduate students. The amount of such fellowships and tutorships should bo sufficient to attract the best candidates. Adequate provision should bo made for the necessary material and equipment for research. Further funds for tho support of University libraries wore also urgently required. Altogether, the committee was of opinion that a more assured basis of finance for the four University colleges was urgently necessary.