FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 45, 22 January 1936, Page 12

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

’VARSITY SENATE’S VOTE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jun. 21. For the second year in succession the senate of the University of New Zealand to-day declined to occupy itself with discussion on the subject of freedom of speech. „A motion to introduce such discussion was brought iorward by Mr F. A. do la Mare, of Hamilton, who moved:— “That this senate plaees on record its approval of the principles embodied in the memorandum of tlie University Teachers’ Association in regard to freedom of speech.” Mr de la Mare said it seemed to him that the senate of the New Zealand University should have an opportunity of placing on record its opinion in regard to freedom of speech in the University. He did not know why the motion last year was side-tracked when the senate proceeded to the next business. Professor G. W. von Zedlitz, of AVellington, seconded the motion. Mr H. F. von Haast, pro-chancellor, moved that the senate proceed to the next business. They might pass a resolution, he said, in regard to freedom of speech, which was an elementary principle of the British constitution, but they were not asked to do that. They were asked to give their approval of a very long Statement. Before they could do that they would require to weigh it very carefully and see that they agreed with every word of it. “We have got very important business to do this morning.” said the prochancellor. “This matter is an academic one. Therefore, I move that we proceed to the next business.” After the chancellor, Hon. J. A. Hanan, M.L.0., had ruled that no discussion could be taken on the prochancellor’s motion or amendments submitted, the vote was taken. The voting was: Ayes 13, Noes 6.