UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15548, 4 March 1914, Page 11

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION.

Sir,—How long is the Citv of Auckland going to submit to the urirefated, and apparently irrefutable, reproach o£ apathy in regard to university education? We have now an accession of three new professors, fresh from the laboratories and! research departments of the chief sciein tine centres of Great Britain, and in this prosperous and growing community, already the greatest in the Dominion, whan aids do they find to scientific culture ? What facilities for research? What means of evoking the enthusiasm of students! It would be too dismal to attempt an answer in detail, but the mere thought of what the answer must be is enough to bring the blush of humiliation to the cheek of every patriotic Auckland citizen. I do not believe that the Auckland publio is indifferent to the education of its children, but that it is indifferent 'to than higher culture which is associated with, the term" university'* is"a charge which I fear can hardly be disputed. The mere suggestion to lay a sacrilegious finger on Government. House grounds, "or any of the breathing spaces of the city, is enough to provoke a storm of opposition and an indignation meeting. I am not finding fault with that; but when has there been an indignation meeting to express the public sense of dissatisfaction at the long continued shameful neglect of the higher education? The situation almost suggests the idea that there is a, distrust of university education amongst Auckland people. That some such' feeling as this may exist in "labour circles—a result of ignorance—is probable;. but that intelligent citizens with a somewhat .wider outlook than is.common in labour circles should fail to see the necessity of keeping up to the front rank in scientific education is almost inconceivable.' In two important matters' which have lately been discussed in your columns, medicine and engineering, it. would seem that the con-* stitution of , the University of New Zea-* land is felt as a T bar to progress with its rival colleges, and autocratic ' senate.'; I do not wish to dilate on this subiect, hub as a former Fellow of the University I may be allowed to say that I do not think its present constitution quite' satisfactory .i Professor Worley looks forward to ' the. development of the Auckland University College into the Auckland University, ana frankly—to put the matter in a nutshell I believe that is the true mark at which we ought to-aim. With such, a development the rivalry of the various centres would be healthy and honourable, and would not be carried on by putting obstacles' in each other's road. : Above all, the mere prospect' of suck . consummation ought- to stimulate' some enthusiasm even in Auckland, and induce her leading citizens to consider how best to seti about a task that has been far too long delayed. . .'rViyi:j,. finis.' Mount Eden, March 2, "1914.. . ~.-.'