UNIVERSITY CONTROL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20646, 19 August 1930, Page 14

UNIVERSITY CONTROL.

PROPOSALS IN REPORT. CHANGE IN CONSTITUTION. CRITICISM FROM OTAGO. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION'. ] DUNEDIN. Monday. Tho second part of the Education "Tieport has occasioned considerable comment in Dunodin. Mr. W. J. Morrell, vicechancellor of tho University of Olago, said that at this stago 0110 could only express a few general opinions as ao many topics wero covered, and further, in many instances one needed to seo tho full report and some indication of tho grounds on which tho conclusions wero reached. "So fur as tho report concerns our University," he said, "the University Council will 110 doubt take the matter into con. sideration and probably remit it to a committee for consideration and discuss it later. The recommendation that tho training colleges in tho four centres should bo handed over to tho University Colleges has much to bo said for it. There has, I think, been a growing feeling both at Home and in the Dominion that tho training of teachers ought to bo in very close relation to the universities. "As to tho further proposal, that the Otago University should undertake tho training of sub-primary and primary teachers and the Canterbury Agricultural College the training of post-primary and agricultural teachers in the South Island, it clearly is a question that will need a good de.il of careful consideration by all the parties concerned. "Tho main proposal as far as the. university is concerned is the setting up of two federal universities, one in the North Island and one in tho South Island. That; of course, will be carefully considered by our council, but personally, 1 cannot imagine that it will find favour with tho council or in tho general opinion. Everyone recognises that the time will come when there should bo four independent universities, one in each of tho larger centres. "Opinions may differ as to the tirno when it will become necessary and desirable to set up independent universities, but I find it difficult to think that many will favour tho 'half-way house' proposed by Ahe present report. The University of New Zealand has, after all, some traditions of its own and enjoys a certain standing. Tho Universities of tho North and South Islands would be set up merely to be demolished. No one can doubt that that would be their fate within a measureablo space of time. "If it is desirable that wo should still co-operato in a federal union it is in my opinion far better that that union should comprise all four of the existing colleges. When the time comes for dissolving the New Zealand University, let the University of Otago resume tho independence it originally had, but I think and believe tho council will say the limo for that has not yet come." ATTITUDE IN AUCKLAND. COLLEGE COUNCIL DISCUSSION. "The second report of the Committee on Education shows the acceleration of a movement which has been going 011 for some time—that the universities should becomo an appendage of the Education Department," said Dr. 11. Ranston at a meeting of the Auckland University College Council yesterday, when the report was briefly discussed. Dr. Ranston said that, while the proposals wore made by a non-expert, committee. they would have to be given consideration. lie suggested that a special meeting of the council should be called to consider the report. The president-, Sir George Fowlds, said ho clirl not anticipate any legislation this session on tho lines of the committee's recommendations. Ho considered that members should study the report thoroughly before a meeting was called. It was decided to ask tho Minister of Education for copies of the report and to call a meeting at a later date.