FREEDOM OF SPEECH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21520, 17 June 1933, Page 13

FREEDOM OF SPEECH

UNIVERSITY DISCUSSION COUNCIL SEATS CONTESTED The question of academic free speech has been introduced as a point of contention in the election of members to the Auckland "University College Council this month. The terms of two of the four representatives elected by graduates, Mr. H. J. D. Mahon and Dr. H. Eanston, expire this month and in the election, which will take place on June 29, they will be opposed by Mr. W. H. Cocker. On behalf of both Dr. Eanston and Mr. Cocker separate circulars have been issued to members of the Auckland District Court of Convocation, setting forth arguments concerning freedom of speech for university teachers. in his circular Mr. Cocker says the main question before graduates is that of academic freedom. "I believe that the recognition of the right of members of a university staff to express their views on matters of academic and public interest is essential to the very life of a university," he says. "To advocate academic freedom is not, of course, to ask that a professor or university teacher should be placed outside the law. If his utterances offend against the law, he must be dealt with as any other citizen. Some of the opinions expressed will, no doubt, be erroneous, but the correction of error must be left to time and free and open discussion, and not to an arbitrary censoring authority." Mr. Cocker also stresses the need to preserve a proper balance between the executive and the academic side of university life, and expresses the belief that the greatest caution is necessary in extending vocational training and in establishing new departments of a nonacademic character. The circular setting forth the views of Dr. Eanston is signed by a number of members of the college staff and prominent educationists and professional men. "The rumour lias spread that Dr. Eanston is opposed to freedom of speech for university teachers," the circular reads. "This is altogether erroneous, for he has always regarded such liberty as essential to a true university. "His position is that in the rare cases where such freedom may bo wrongly used, all matters relating thereto should bo dealt with by the professorial board or its committee, as those specially interested in its due exercise. In this he supports the desire of the teachers themselves as expressed in a recent resolution of their board." An election will be held next Thursday for one of the three representatives to be elected by members of the General Assembly resident in the Auckland Province. Mr. 8. I. Crookes, one of these representatives, is to retiro this month and he has been nominated for re-election. He is opposod by Mr. H. G. E. Mason, M.P. for Auckland Suburbs.