EDUCATION IN N.Z.

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1925, Page 1

EDUCATION IN N.Z.

ROYAL ( OAI.M ISSIOX APPOINTED WELLINGTON. April 17.

The following is a statement by the .Minister of Education (Sir James Parr) villi regard to the appointment of a Commission to enquire into i niversitv education :

For tho past couple of years the Government lias boon urged to set up an expert (‘oinmis.sion to report, upon University education in this country. .Indeed, for many years even prior to this period there has been a considerable agitation for relorm in many directions. Aiauy important matters are at issue. Here are a lew: ’1 lie question of whether t Diversity examinations should he conducted by cxternnl or inUynal examiners, also oi whether students for entrance to the University should lie accredited in lieu „j the matriculation examination, also as to what should lie the constitution of the University Senate which, on its present basis, is generally held to lie unsatisfactory. Another issue that L frequently raised is in relation to the present Hoard ol Studies and its iunctions. The proper relation of University education to our secondary and technical schools is a subject veil worthy of expert enquiry. Again, three out- of the lour University Colleges and also some Courts of Convocation, such as tho \ ictoria t nivoisitv Court, have passed resolutions requesting the Government to appoint a Commission to enquire into the whole system of tho working and organisation of the Universities. The Wellington Court especially requested that the chairman of such Commission should lie an acknowledged authority on University organisation, and should conic Horn outside- New Zealand. Some College Councils are also strongly in favour oi four independent Universities, believing that New Zealand has reached a stage when the four colleges should 1,0 given tlio status of autonomous Universities, and they have asked for

an enquiry.. For the above reasons the Government has thought lit to appoint a Commission consisting of Sir Harry Rciehel, principal of the University of North Wales,, and Mr Frank Tate. M.A.. Director of Education, \ ictoria, for the purpose of investigating these questions and, generally, examining the standard and scope of University instruction and, more particularly, the question of whether the system of four colleges federated in the Now Zealand University is satisfactory or is capable of improvement. Sir Harry Reichel is one of the best known educationalists in Great Britain and a man of wide administrative experience. He has been on many Commissions and lias had a great deal to do with framing the famous .Moseley report. He has also the advantage of being the leading official of the I niversily of Wales, which, like our own, is a Federal University. Mr Tate, who has been recently with us and who, after his .recent month’s visit to New Zealand, understands our local conditions and especially tlie condition of secondary and technical education in New Zealand, about which he is reporting to the Department, is associated with Sir Henry Reichel, who Is the chairman of the Commission., Air Tate for 20 years has been an active member of the Melbourne Senate. Sir Harry Reichel will arrive in June next, and the Commission will then win its work by taking evidence m Hm four centres. 1 regret that Sir Ernest Rutherford was unable to accept a seat on the Commission, though he has promised valuable assistance.