THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 48, 26 January 1926, Page 6

THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

The Queenslander, who while accepting the hospitality and educational advantages afforded by the Rhodes Scholarship, thought it not incompatible with his sense of honour to take part in disseminating Communist doctrines in Great Britain, must have a very perverted sense of the obligations entailed by his acceptance of the scholarship, the benefits of which were no doubt extended to him on account of his all-round superiority over his fellow students during the year pf his nomination. Communism and Imperialism embody such absolutely negatory principles as to be wholly incompatible!, The great Imperialist, who bequeathed the bulk of his fortune for tlie foundation of Oxford University scholarships, did so with the idea of developing the broadest principles of Imperialism in the students profiting by his beneficence in order that, like himself, they might prove, in after life, Imperialistic stalwarts and examples by their lives, practice and teachings to their fellow men. It is true that Oxford University is, possibly, the most conservative of institutions in upholding conservative teachings and principles the British Empire, but no other university in the world offers quite the same educational advantages and opportunities for the thorough mental and physical equipment of its undergraduates. The terms of the Cecil Rhodes scholarships bequest are sufficiently liberal to make it possible for the humblest of British youth, whose diligence in pursuit of study, prowess in athletic sports and general good character secure his nomination, to. enjoy the benefits of further training at the mother institution of all British universities. But acceptance of a Rhodes scholarship does not entitle the holder to ignore the unwritten obligations its acceptance entails. The idea that any holder of such a scholarship could, and would, engage in the dissemination of teachings and principles that are wholly at war with British institutions is repugnant to commonsense and savours of political ingratitude if not of actual dishonesty. The Queensland scholar who has been called upon to either abandon his political addresses or to “step down” from the university, has, despite his sneer at “the conservative traditions of Oxford authorities,” whom he says “are notorious for

their resistance to the new vital ideas of each succeeding generation,” really nothing to complain of. He was chosen as a Rhodes scholar to receive further training, and not as the protagonist of Communist doctrines. In his statement of the reason which ted to his acceptance of the compulsion placed upon him by the vice-chancellor, “not to endeavour to propagate Communist doctrines, directly or indirectly,” this “second year student” saj’s that he “had no wish to suddenly discontinue his study for honours in the school of philosophy, politics and economics.” Yet, while engaged in that “study” he was actually lecturing upon and propounding theories (apparently amongst the Indian students, whicli made his offence the greater) wholly subversive to the “philosophy, politics and economics” accepted by the Oxford authorities and taught by their professors.