DEGREES IN DIVINITY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23148, 21 September 1938, Page 16

DEGREES IN DIVINITY

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY DUNEDIN PROPOSAL RECOMMENDATION TO SENATE [BY TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] DUNEDIN, Tuesday The principal of the Presbyterian Theological Hall, the Rev. John Dickie, representing the Dunedin Presbytery, and Archdeacon Whitehead, representing the Church of England, waited as a deputation on the Council of the Otago University to-day to discuss the question of instituting degrees in divinity in New Zealand. Mr. Dickie said that New Zealand was the only civilised country in the world which did not grant degrees in divinity. It would bo quite easy for the Churches to work harmoniously together. Mr Dickie said. So far as the Catholic Church was concerned, they had an assurance that, so long as the other Churches did not wish to apply public money in any way in connection with the scheme, the Catholic Church would not oppose the proposal. Bishop Whyte and Archbishop O'Shea had, indeed, expressed general sympathy with the aim which the other Churches were seeking to pursue.

Archdeacon Whitehead said theirs was quite a modest request and would not entail any expense on the university.

The chancellor, Mr. W. J. Morrell. outlined what the senate had done in the past regarding the- proposal, and said that the great difficulty which presented itself was in obtaining the necessary power from the Legislature.

On the motion of the Rev. J). C. Herron it was unanimously decided that the council should recommend the .senate to take the steps necessary to enable degrees in divinity to be conferred.