COLLEGE ROWDYISM.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIX, Issue 14701, 4 June 1908, Page 6

COLLEGE ROWDYISM.

\Yk do not know why university students should consider themselves licensed to be objectionable. A few days ago the Chancellor of the University had to enter an emphatic protest against the-rowdyism of Auckland students on Capping Day, and we recollect that in the past the Degree Day celebrations were abandoned by the Senate because the undergraduates

could not be persuaded to observe tho ordinary rules of conduct on public occasions. Tradition, we know, excuses some manifestations of animal spirits at purely university ceremonials, but common-sense and the self-respect of the students ought to impose some restrictions, even on those, occasions. The old Latin tag which we commonly find on Degree Day programmes affirms that it is pleasant to be free and easy when, the opportunity occurs, but tho students ought to remember that oven that honoured sentiment imposes restrictions of time and place. The celebration of Empire Day at Canterbury College yesterday was emphatically not an occasion on which rowdyism was excusable. The behaviour of the undergraduates during the speeches was disgraceful, and it seems to us that the College authorities might well take steps to prevent such exhibitions jn the future. The- people that gathered in the College hall were there for a serious purpose, and while an occasional interruption would have- been forgivable and might oven have been amusing, tho general behaviour of the students quite spoilt the celebration. The young men \.'ho were responsible for the disturbance took this occasion to express, through their representative, a desire to form a rifle club and to prepare themselves for taking a part in the defence of their country. But surely they might have given, better proof of their earnestness. Their Degree Day celebration gives them all tho opportunity they need for exercising their peculiar talents as humorists, and they should have recognised that their rowdy conduct would bring discredit upon themselves and upon the institution which they should be proud to honour.