OTAGO UNIVERSITY FINANCES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 12445, 30 August 1902, Page 8

OTAGO UNIVERSITY FINANCES.

THB PROPOSED SAVINGS BANE DONATION. A SECOND BILL TO BE INTRODUCED^ • (Fbou Ode Own CoHßisrosmim.) 1 WELLINGTON, Angnati 29. Opinions seem to differ very considerably regarding Mr Arnold's proposed amendment to the Savings Bank Profits Act Amendment Bill, .which goes in the direelioa of including the Dunedin Technical School and a prospective free library in the participation of the profits to be divided. Mr Barclay tells me that both he and Mr Milkr will support the proposed amendment

The Hon. Mr Pinkerton, whom I met in tho lobby just now, said ho thought it would be » pity to divert tho funds from the University. Mr Thomas Mackenzio also strongly favoured the available profits going solely to the University. Mr James Allen, interviewed on the subject, said: "I think it would be wrong to slier the bill as sent up to us, drafted in accordance with the resolution of the trustees of the Savings Bank, and for this reason and others I objeot to Mr Arnold's proposed amendment. I note, for instance, that somo of the trustees who advocated the extension of tho resolution to include the Free Publio Library and tho Technical School wished also to liquidate the bank. The trustees who specially were advocating the claims of the Univor6ity desired tho continuance of the bank, as the profit made could bo devoted to good objects. To pass Mr Arnold's amendment*"would be to assist, therefore, 6ome who desire tho bank's liquidation, and it would not be fair for members, who are grateful for tho assistance offered to the University, to, do anything contrary to the wishes of thoso of the trustees who passed the resolution. If the bill is to be amended iu tho direction desired by Mr Arnold I am sure an attempt will also be made to put in the Dunedin High Schools, and perhaps other institutions; end in the squabble w© may lose everything. Further, I believe the Free Publio library should be established by the City of Dunodin itself. Kate us for it if necessary; but_ rarely it is a Dunedin work. The Sayings Bank is not a town institution, but provincial, and the profits which may be divided belong more to tho province tl&n to the town. Why, for instance, should not Caversham or Milton, say, also claim a share for free publio libraries. Similarly with the Technical School. This is a city institution, and has its right and proper claim upon tho General Government, and were the teolmical branch of tho Education Department properly organised our Technical School, would get the assistance it ought to have. My opinion is we ought to ' stick to the bill.'"

Mr Sidey said: "I do not see any objection to Mr Arnold's amendment. Indeed, if I thought it would not complicate matters I should like to see additional words, such as 'or other educational institution' inserted after the words 'Technical School.' These institutions are all, to my mind, vory worthy and suitable objects to which to devote such funds. I intend to support Mr Arnold's amendment, because I do not think it will jeopardise the bill, and the carrying of the bill 'so amended will still havo 'the trustees of the bank free to devote the sum proposed to the Otago University." In answer to a question I put to tho Acting-Premier to-night as to whether the Government would support Mr Arnold's amendment, he has informed me that he has not yet seen the amendment. On the' question of providing further funds for the University next year nothing is settled; - indeed, the matter has not so far been mentioned in Cabinet in any way. ; NOTICE OF A NEW BILL. Sit# Joseph Ward has given notice of the Savings Banks' Profits Aot Amendment Bill No. 2. I understand the new bill does not affect the proposal re the Otago University made in the original bill. Mr Jackson Palmer is urging an amendment of the law to provide that certain profits of the Auckland Savings Bank bo devoted to university purposes there as has been suggested in Dunedin.