THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18950, 23 February 1925, Page 8

THE ENGINEERING SCHOOL.

Once again Auckland members of the University Senate have tried to secure recognition for the Auckland School of Engineering. Once again they have failed. Support was given' by former opponents of the motion, but in spite of that circumstance, the friends of entrenched privilege were strong enough to frustrate this year's effort on behalf of an institution which long ago justified its existence. On this occasion the debate was distinguished by a now feature. Sir Robert Stout opposed Auckland's claims by expressing the extraordinary opinion that there was urgent need for a general curtailment of public expenditure, which should begin with education. People have been encouraged to believe hitherto that educational expenditure should be the last, not the first, to submit to the pruning knife when its use becomes necessary. The contention that if the Auckland School of Engineering were granted recognition, money for its extension would immediately be demanded was disputed. Sir Robert Stout insisted that it would. The point is not worth arguing at this stage because it is entirely foreign to the question to be decided. The Senate was asked to recognise the School of Engineering by examining students trained there } and, if satisSJI fcheris sjaafeutg. feenx

diplomas. That can be answered only by a plain negative or affirmative. To import the financial argument is to beg the question entirely. It is for the Government to decide what funds are available for the extension of educational facilities, and for the affiliated colleges to spend as seems best to them what is granted. The Senate's function is to examine students and grant diplomas. To fmd a member going so far beyond the natural limits of argument, to fmd a former Chancellor of the University urging that education should feel the first cut if general economy becomes necessary, is to realise how poor the case against Auckland's claim has become. Reasons for opposing it must indeed have grown scarce. The incident also illustrates how tenacious is the opposition faced year after year.