AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11527, 24 May 1923, Page 3

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY

NEW ARTS BUILDING. FOUNDATION STONE LAID. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, May 23. The foundation stone of the new arts building for the Auckland University College was laid to-day by the Prime Minister (the Right Hon. W. F. Massey) in the presence of a large and representative gat kerin g. Among the speakers was the Minister for Education (the Hon. C J. Parr), who tii.ici he was in favour of separate universities for the four centres, and in spite of the opposition separation was bound to come. If each university were an independent university, there would be local interest and support, and local pride in it. As to the value of degrees Mr Parr said the outside people valued | tlie deg Tee largely according to repute ! of the professors and teachers, conequentI ly we need have no fear of the depreciaj tion of the degrees. Referring to spej ciaiisation, Mr Parr declared that special j profeesiol schools were a strong support [to the university. He considered Auckt land should specialise in agriculture and forestry. Tho university, he eaid. must get into tcuch with the actual life of the people by training students for professions, industries and the business of life. AUCKLAND’S FUTURE GROWTH. The Prime Minister said the time would come when Auckland would have a population of one million, and we had lo piepane for that growth. Referring to the question of specialisation at universities, Mr Massey said he felt the day would come when New Zealand would specialise in agriculture, and he would like to see a Cecil Rhodes arise in the Dominion. In mentioning the gift of Sir Walter Buchanan of .£IO,OOO for tho eslablishment of a Chair of Agriculture. Mr Massey said he was expected to find another <£lo,ooo by way of subsidy. He urged that wealthy citizens should remember the cause of education, for money donated or bequeathedc oould not bo put to a better purpose. Mr Massey said the war had shelved the question of tho establishment for an Agriculture College in the North Island. However, they had made a *tart in tho establishment of agricultural schools, and the time might come when they would develop into colleges. A.s to benefits of higher education Mr Massey said he knew it would be impossible for all to avail themselves of such opportunities, but the man who, under ordinary ctr* cumstances, was a good mechanic or farmer would be a better and more useful member of the community if he could get a secondary or university education.