UNIVERSITY NEEDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17113, 19 March 1919, Page 9

UNIVERSITY NEEDS.

REQUESTS TO GOVERNMENT. SENATE SEEKING DATA. AUCKLAND BODY TO REPORT. A matter of considerable interest to educationists was discussed by the Auckland University College Council yes-, terday afternoon, when a request from the senate for detailed information as to the financial and educational needs of the college was considered. It was stated that a special committee of the University Senate was preparing for consideration at the April meeting of that body a- report on the financial needs of the unlversity and colleges to be presented to the Government. It was felt that a careful and well-thought-out report by such an impartial body as the senate was likely to receive more sympathetic consideration by the Government than a series of independent and possibly conflicting demands from the several university colleges. Detsilod information was therefore desired as to such needs as buildings, libraries, and equipment, the provision of adequate and competent assistants, financial provision for such special schools as medical, dental, engineering, and agricultural, and the provision of Funds for university extension work on the lines of the Workers' Educational Association movement.

Professor H. W. Segar, who attended a recent meeting of the senate, said the request was the outcome of an earnest desire on the part of the senate to assist the colleges. The Minister for Education was also anxious to render the fullest aid to the university and affiliated colleges, and desired specific information to lay before Cabinet when educational matters were under consideration. The Hon. G. J. Garland said that the need for training in domestic science should be borne well in mind. He ; strongly advocated the institution of a chair of domestic science at the Auckland University College, or the formation of classes of instruction in this subject. A course at the Ctago University College, where there was a chair of domestic science, would result in greatly improved methods, but it was very difficult for many women teachers to leave their homes and go to Otago to take advantage of the bursaries offered. The institution of a chair or formation of classes in Auckland would afford special training in a most important branch of technical education, one that was very necessary for the further instruction of teachers. Professor A. P. W Thomas supported Mr. Garland's remarks, laying' stress on the fact that there was a great scarcity of trained teachers at the present time. He also considered it very important that there should be a department of agriculture in connection witb each of the colleges, New Zealand being essentially an agricultural country. There was great need of special training for agricultural instructors. On tin motion of Mr. T. W. Leys it was decided to appoint a committee, consisting of tHe whole council, to formulate a report as requested by the senate, to be considei ;d at a special meeting of the council next Monday.