PROFESSOR ALDIS'S DISMISSAL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 9394, 28 December 1893, Page 3

PROFESSOR ALDIS'S DISMISSAL.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—l see that Mr. Edwin Cox has taken up the cudgel on behalf of Professor Aldis, therefore I would ask your favour to say a. few words on behalf of the people. To speak plainly, I consider that the people of New Zealand are unworthy of the great privileges they enjoy if they allow such high-handed proceedings to pass unchallenged. I claim that I, as " oue of the people " have a right to know the reason why the Professor waa dismissed. Street gossip says that the Council were in the habit of using the University buildings for stabling ponies, or accommodating donkeys, or something of that * sort. If this report be true, and the Professor exceeded his duties in drawing attention to it, then by all means uphold the decision of the Council, and make it a rule in the future that the Professors have no jurisdiction over the stables. Again, if this report be true it is high time that the people took steps to free every department ■ of Government and education from the possibility of corruption. This end can never be attained until all public busiuess is ventilated in the newspapers. If any body of men have the power to transact public business in a private manner, I say such power should be taken from them. It is my opinion that there is and always will be corruption in every department of the public business where the people are not protected by the proceedings being publicly reported. I consider that the public press is one of the ehief instruments used in bringing about a higher state of civilisation, in that it throws light on the dark spots of human actions. It is an institution that cannot be spared, unless we wish the powers ot evil and corruption to reign supreme. To the columns of the Press I have looked in vain for the reason why Professor Aldis was dismissed, and as it was not forthcoming, I naturally conclude that there is corruption in the administration of our educational system. When will the people awake to the responsibility thrust upon them? Echo answers—? — am, etc., December 27,1893. A. Sanford