THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS.

Otago Daily Times, Volume 13694, Issue 13694, 10 September 1906, Page 4

THE UNIVERSITY NEEDS.

Tns Premier tliil not indicate to tli# Otago memboi's of Parliament v.'ho waitedupon him, on Saturday in what respect the adoption of the laud proposals of tho Government is likely -.to be beneficial to the University institutions of the colony; and tile dopiltation was apparently somewhat doubtful about tlie prospect of substantial relief being obtainable this' year from tho State for ■ the Otago University if the assistanco is, as Sir Joseph Ward implied, to be provided out of the endowments that are, it is proposed,' to bo created for education purposes. But, we gather, the Premier recognised that the deputation had established a claim upon tho Government for pecuniary help, not. only in respect of the establishment of the School of. Dentistry and' of the maintenance of the Mining School, but also in respect, of the liability that has to be met -on tho 3lsfc December next, when the debenture indebtedness of £10,000 matures. . The renewal of tho whole of tho debentures is, in existing circumstanca?, hardly to be looked for. The security upon which th'o loan was originally issued has largely disappeared in consequenco of tho Government having, in order that tho University Council may be preserved from the risk of a continued reduction in its income from rentals, taken over the administration of tho. Council's endowments, and it is very doubtful whether the bondholders would consent to allow their investment to remain on tho security of the ordinary annual revenue of the University, liut, in asking that the Government should accept the responsibility of discharging this liability, tho deputation merely requested that the University of Otago should have an amount of consideration extended to it by tho State such as has already been accorded to Victoria College in Wellington and as will have to bo shown to the Auckland University College. Precedent justifies the claim that was advanced by the deputation, and we hope that the Premier will, in vien of tho facts, see his way to meet the Otago University Council liberally, so that it may be enabled confidently, to proceed with the work that remains before it to increase the usefulness and enhance the efficiency of tho institution under its control. Sir Joseph Ward readily undertook on Saturday to give effect to the promise Mr Scddon had made to ask Parliament for a voto ot £1500 towards the cost of the erection . of the Dental School, which is really being established in order that recent legislation, which aims at the - ment of the status of the profession of dentistry, may bo rendered practically operative, anil ho also gave the assurance that the vote for the Mining School slia'll remain this year at £750. • Even then, as Mr James Allen pointed i out, the University Council will, if it is ; not relieved of the liability on account ; of the debenture indebtedness, .hardly i enjoy; a position of financial comfort,

Hie amount that will be specifically provided. for tlio erection of tlio Denial School will leave :i margin of only £"!20 over and above Urn figure at which a contract for the predion of the lmildinj* Jias been let, and this sum will not sriffice to equip (lie school, while it is estimated that for at least some time it will cost ,C'BGO per aimmn to maintain the department; and the Council simply cannot disregard tlio necessity for providing a new building for the School of Minos, the estimated cost in this ease being £4000. In theso circumstances the Otago I'nimsity, as the institution catering for the requirements of the wliolo colony in llicso and otlier special courses of instruction, Ims a very distinct claim \ipon tho (Viionial Treasurer for material assistance.