VICTORIA COLLEGE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8559, 23 October 1913, Page 10

VICTORIA COLLEGE

COUNCIL’S CONSTITUTION “PRIMARY EDUCATION SUFFERING.” There was some criticism of the Victoria College Amendment Bill in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon. As previously explained, tho bill’s main feature is a proposed alteration in the constitution of the College Council. In moving tho second reading of tho bill, tho Hon. Mr Bell said that the one substantial alteration in tho constitution of tho council was the representation of the professors. This representation had been in force in Otago and Auckland. lu fact, the bill asked fof practically the same constitution as that in Otago, except that the Hospital Board would not have a representative. Continuing, Mr Bell said that the foes at Victoria College were lower than at any of the other university colsmall, and the college must, therefore, be dependent to a great extent on the State. Tho trouble was that while a professor could cope with a class of forty, when it grew to fifty or sixty the services of a lecturer had to be sought. The extra fees from the small increase of students did not pay the lecturer’s salary. The hill proposed that the council should have power to charge a general tuition fee above the ordinary class fee, and there was a battle in progress between those who wanted the fees raised to the level of the other colleges, and those who were of a contrary opinion. The Hon. G. J. Smith asked who had promoted this and the Canterbury College Bill? Ho did not think it fair that the City Councils should bo represented on the council to the exclusion of other local bodies. It was tho Hon, Mr Samuel’s opinion that primary education was suffering on account of the increased expense of university education. The results of high education were not at all satisfactory. The present education system was not fitting children to become good and valuable citizens, and this particularly applied to tho country districts. Tho Hon. Mr Anstey complained that the representation on the council iwas not the representation of the public. He also complained of the plural voting in the Bill; this should ho limited. The Hon. C. M. Luke said that if any change were made, the fees should not be largo enough to pub obstruction in the way of those bright children whose parents were unable to pay much towards their university education. He agreed that primary education in the country districts was suffering. He would have liked the Whole, education system overhauled, and a firmer basis established. In reply, the Minister said that it was advisable for the City _ Connell to 'be represented, as it stood in tho position of being the home of the college. The City Council should be en’oouraged to take an interest in the college. The bill was read a second time on the voices.