FREEDOM OF SPEECH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 26 January 1937, Page 9

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

PRINCIPLE NOT ENDORSED MOTION BEFORE UNIVERSITY SENATE (By Telegraph—Press Association) AUCKLAND, This Day. Though individual members sympathised with the motion, the New Zealand University Senate to-day by 17 votes to 7 refused to pass a motion endorsing the principle of freedom of speech in the universities. A resolution by Mr F. A. De La Mare pointed out that public expression of opinion within the limits of the law on controversial matters was not incompatible with the position of a university teacher. The public should be educated to realise that such an expression of opinion was personal and not that of an institution. In seconding Sie motion pro forma, the Chancellor, Mr H. F. Von Haast. said that at a time when freedom of speech was curtailed in other parts of the world, it was important that New Zealand professors should have the right to express a free opinion on any question. Dr. W. Newlands said Mr De La Mare was fighting a non-existent danger. If the Senate supported the motion, it would make itself ridiculous Other members, while expressing sympathy, said there was no need for a motion, Mr W. J. Morrell stating that the act of passing it might create an impression that freedom was threatened in New Zealand. Replying, Mr De La Mare said that three years ago there had been reason for the motion when Auckland had made the matter prominent. Now, when there was none to attack, the time was ripe for the Senate to make a dispassionate statement of its point of view. He said that the body representing the highest university opinion in New Zealand had refused to say that it endorsed the principle of freedom of speech in its own university.