THE UNIVERSITY BILL.

New Zealand Mail, 20 August 1902, Page 15

THE UNIVERSITY BILL.

DISCUSSED BY WELLINGTON

GRADUATES

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS

A- meeting of graduates of the University of New Zealand was held at tue £r U^ ltl £ 11 ® ffices on tire 12th inst., Mr T. R. I leming presiding. Dr C. Prendergast Knight moved the toll owing resolutions:—l. That the present system, by which graduates elect members of the Senate through convocation is unsatisfactory, unwieldy and inequitable, and lends itself to many abuses. 2. That the present system should be altered, and four electoral districts be established correponding m area to the existing districts embraced by the four • university colleges. 3. That the graduates of the University of New Zealand residing in each respective district for a period of three months shall he the electors of such district. 4. That each district so constituted shall return three members to the Senate. 5. That rolls shall be prepared and votes taken in the same way as provided by section 13 of the Victoria College Act, 1897, the Registrar of the University of New Zealand being the returning officer.

Mrs Allan expressed the opinion tnat the graduates should not only affirm the resolutions proposed by Dr Knight, but should also express themselves strongly on the proposed method of reconstituting the Senate. She took exception to the proposal to make a given number of appointments by Governor-in-Council, being of opinion that the Senate should be composed largely of educational experts ; and said that the proposal to appoint eight members of governing bodies to the Senate was out of all proportion. The graduates in the past had not rel alised their powers and responsibilities, or_ their undoubted claims to a large voice in the management would not have been overlooked. The speaker took strong exception to the Inspector of Schools being made a life member-of the Senate, whilst its other constituents were only to hold office for four years, and thought it would be far better to have the Minister himself as a nemoer ex . offiHo. Mrs Allan - trenchantly criticised the proposal of members .of the Legislative Council to have Chambers of Commerce represented on the Senate, and said if the proposal were taken seriously by Parliament, members of trades unions were entitled to an equal voice. She moved, “That this meeting of graduates objects to the constitutional provision in the Bill now before the House, and suggests that the constitution of the Senate should he as follows:—Twenty-five members: four by the governing bodies of the affiliated institutions (one for each institution), eight by the professorial boards (two from each), twelve by the graduates of the University, and the Minister of Education.”

Professor Maclaurin seconded the motion.

Mr Rowp explained that the reasc* why the graduates had not of late years asserted themselves more pronouncedly was because in days gone by their enthusiasm had been cooled by the practice which had been invaluably indulged in by the Senate of throwing their communications and suggestions into the waste paper basket. _ Both resolutions were formally carried, and a deputation, with Dr Knight as convener, was set up to wait on .the Acting-Premier and Minister of Education this morning, and place the views of the graduates before them. The hope was expressed that as many of the graduates as possible would take part in the deputation. The following amendments of the Bill were also suggested: ; —By Mr S. Atkinson—“ That the word 'graduates’ for the purpose of the electoral roll should include graduates admitted ad eundem.” By Mr Rowe—“ That the term of office of members of the Senate he ‘seven’ instead of ‘four’ years.”