A UNIVERSITY SUSPENDED.

Evening Star, Issue 20128, 19 March 1929, Page 8

A UNIVERSITY SUSPENDED.

K.mixk.st students of Otago Lmvcrsity can congratulate themselves that tiioir alma, mater is not that ot Madrid. A few weeks ago it was part ol the army in, Spain that was threatening insurrection. Now the students of the capital have been rioting, and as a consequence their university has been suspended by the Government lor no less a period than eighteen months. There arc other universities in Spain, but that of the capital is one of the largest. It is certain that tiio country cannot afford such a restriction oi the opportunities of the higher learning as is threatened by the latest edict. Students have been the wildest disseminators ot ideas of radicalism and freedom in Russia, China, and other backward countries in the past. In Spain they have not borne that character. Jt would have been a bold student, anywhere in Spain except. Catalonia, who would have ventuied a, few years ago to talk politics ot religion, unless lie happened to be expressing the most orthodox doctrines, above his breath. There is something wrong with a country's health or with its Government when a university has to be closed down. r lhe latest suspension makes a bad advertisement for General De Rivera’s Directory, and foi Spain. It sounds too much like the Middle Ages or Russia under the Tsarist regime. Russia under the present regime is exempt from such scandals because none but bolshcvists, who approve ol the existing Government, have much chance there oi ever entering a university. A semi-official statement attributes the Spanish.

trouble to regulations governing the university's classes issued by tho Directory. Tho suggestion would be that it was not political, and a protest that has been issued by the medical professors—all tho authorities of tlr institution apparently have been in sympathy with tho students —declares that politics has had no part in it, but that the demonstrations were caused solely by a concern for justice and truth. But ff tho Government has been making regulations for the university’s classes, that is a matter which would far better be left to its own governing body. It is probable that tho students, on general grounds, are no more pleased with General De Rivera’s administration and all its restrictions on liberty than the rest of Spain appears to be. An official journal has credited the Dictator with the intention of resigning in the immediate future to make way for a return, of constitutional government. That may be the best thing he can do.

Details relative to the Government’s proposal to purchase tho Waipori headworks from the City Council were jlealt with at a meeting held in the University Club rooms last evening, when Cr J. B. Shaddock (chairman of the Electric Bower and Lighting Committee) and Mr M. C. Henderson (tho city electrical engineer) addressed about sixty members of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce, the Manufacturers’ Association, and the Ratepayers’ Association. The meeting, which was held in committee, was presided over by Mr E. A. Roscvcar (chairman of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce). At tho conclusion of the addresses a general discussion took place, tho matter being viewed from all aspects, it was finally decided that the three bodies should appoint representatives to confer further on the question with the Electric Rover and Lighting Committee. On the motion of Mr A. H. Allen, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the speakers.

The motorists at Port Chalmers arc becoming impatient at tho delay in improung the road to the city. They held a meeting last night to discuss tho position, which, they said, was getiimv worse instead of better. The road in question was easily the worst suburban road in the dominion, and unfortunately those in charge of it seemed to resent suggestions of improvement. Mr A. E. Anscll, M.P , was present and he said tho Otago Motor Club had long recognised the need for a better typo of road between Dunedin and Port Chalmers, and had included it in the “ Better roads for Otago” scheme some years ago. The Motor Club, he said, was still anxious to see the road improved. During the discussion which followed several motorists expressed lack of faith in the present road arrangements. Motorists were heavily taxed—in tins case for a bad road. Eventually the meeting resolve dto petition tlie'Main Highways Board to reconstruct the road and put a suitable surface on it Tiic petition, it. was stated, would be available in the town clerk’s office for signature by motorists.

Our Cromwell correspondent telegraphs: Tliero has been ;i splendid rainfall in the district during the last twenty-four hours. It .set in early on Monday and continued for the greater part of the day and during the night.' The fall was' mild but coMimious. Light rain is still falling; but conditions are colder. The rivers have not yet risen a great deal, and at present'the Kawarau is at the 18in niarh on the gauge. A high river is not at present'likely, as the fall is mild. The total rise so'far is about 3ft from the previous low level.

A man named George C'arothers was the subject ol a. letter received by the Dunedin Chamber ol' Commerce at its monthly nicotine last nighl. Mr C. S. Young, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, U.S.A., wrote to the chamber ashing for information regarding this man. It was slated that when Inst heard of he was somewhere in New Zealand, and Mr Young would bo glad to be apprised of his exact whereabouts. It would be. appreciated if anyone knowing of him would communicate with the Chamber of Commerce.

Making his forty-sixth appearance before the court for drunkenness. Thomas Farrell this morning pleader! guilty to a similar lapse yesterday, and a line of 12s Cid, including 2s (id call hire, with the alternative of twentyfour hours’ imprsionment, was inflicted by Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M.

‘ 'I he road to Tort Chalmers leads to the port of (Jingo, but the read on the other side of the harbour leads to nothing in particular.” This terse description of respective values was expressed by a lady at a meeting of motorists last nigh at Pori Chalmers. It had been pointed out that the Peninsula Beach road bad been declared a main highway and was being improved accordinglv. whereas the Dunce I in-Port Cbaimcrs road had been declared a secondary highway and left at that.

A dance has been arranged by the Navy League and the R.S.Y .1!. lor Commodore Swabcy and tlie officers ol H.M.S- Dunedin to-morrow evening in the Tudor Mali, while on Friday evening tlie commodore and his officers will b( ,r the guests ef the Overseas Club at an “at home.” In Ibo water polo match last night at the Municipal Baths the ship’s team was beaten by (be St. Clair Club’s team by 4 to 2. On account of the rain the route march, headed by (he ship’s band, which was to have been held to-day, was cancel led.

Ail investigation of the parliamentary and municipal rolls carried out by a committee set up by the Auckland Labour Party reveals an astonishing position, it has been, found that by comparison with the parliamentary roll about 70 per cent, of the eligible voters are missing from the municipal roll, and that the majority a;o rentpayers.— Auckland correspondent. The Taranaki Oil report states; Gisborne No. -! well is drilled to L’.GlOi’t in caving shale. There is a small showing of gas. There is Sfin diameter easing to ’2,dibit. —Gisborne message.

Owing to the heavy rain to-day the work of unloading the Byrd Antarctic ex;.,edition ship Flea nor Holing had l() lie stopped, but as soon as the weather clears a fresh start will be made. It is possible that the ship will be unloaded by the end of the week, when she will proceed to Port Chalmers to lie up with the City of New York during the winter months. Northern members of the Board of Agriculture were due at Dunedin this afternoon for an official visit to Otago. Mr James Bogg joins the party here. They are to leave for the Central tomorrow morning, Mr R. B. Tennent accompanying as ropresentating the department, and will return to Dunedin on Saturday.

The Hawke’s Bay Aero Club is holding its first annual pageant at Hastings next month. The programme, includes a light aircraft blue ribbon race, to be an annual event.—Press Association.

The statu of the road between Port Chalmers and the Heads was discussed at a meeting of motorists last night lit Port Chalmers. It was explained that the Public Works Department bad found work for a number of unemployed men in widening the road at sharp corners last winter. The material thus removed was used to make up various parts of the road. In oases where that material was clay the portions of the road thus created had practically become quagmires in wet weather When the road dried up the deep ruts and ridges of hard claw made driving over it unpleasant and' risky. Mr Ansell, president of the Otago Motor Club, was present at the meeting. He said that he had arranged to go over the road with the district engineer, and was hopeful something could he done in