UNIVERSITY PROBLEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18047, 22 September 1920, Page 6

UNIVERSITY PROBLEMS

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE COUNCIL.

A NEW FROPOSAL REJECTED.

W hen the question of consideration of the desirability of according representation on Ihe University Council to the New Zealand Society of Accountants came up before the University Council yesterday afternoon Mr J. C. Stephens said he was "prepared to open the matter for discussion by moving that the council accede to the request of the Society of Accountants for representation. At the same time he desired it to bo made nuite plain that the council regarded the principle as one to be applied to all the professional schools at the University. He had long thought that law tor instance, should have its own direct representative on the council. He asked them to consider what tho position would bv) if there were no doctors on the council, bureiy it was incoiweivable that such would be a properly constructed council, and even though the Medical School was the largest professional school here the same principle held good in regard to the other faculties He could not see any possible ha.rm from admitting such representation though it might increase the size of tho council somejvhat, and it would indeed do good by bringing tho professions more closely into ♦w •<■ l ith the Univers %- He assumed that if the request were acceded to it would establish the principle of direct representation, and that other professions would make similar application. It would mean an alteration in the Act.

Mr Walker seconded the motion Dr Ferguson said he thought it would be an admirable thing if each school had a direct representative on the council. Dr Marshall Macdonald said he approved of the motion, but on different grounds irom those set out by the mover. He be heved that it would tend to bring the business community into closer harmony with the University. Mr Ritchie vigorously opposed the motion, and said that if it involved representatives from each of the schools and faculties that had been mentioned havinsr a seat on the council then it must be obvious to them all that that would not be in the interests of the University. It was entirely wrong that any man should be sent theio to represent one body or class, and only one. He would sooner see the entire council elected by public franchise than have any such system of class representation. He asked how often in 12 months any matter affecting the Aceountancv School came before the council. The council had its experts to advise it on all matters affect me the various schools. Dγ Ferguson said that the whole question ot tho constitution of the council was involved, and it would be wise to refer it to a committee, where it could be carefully considered in all its aspects Professor Bonham strongly supported Mr Kitehies views, and said the proposal of tho motion was a most dangerous and un necessary step. Ho did not think the su<rgestion of referring it to a committee was a right one, as it was a matter .on which every member should express his opinion Mr Eudoy said he was utterly opposed to the rnot.on, which .was asking them to take a leap in the dark.

Mr Morrell also expressed the view that this was a very dangerous step. Members were not thero to represent interests" but \ttu-? i elr business Wltn an impartial eve While by no means asserting that tho conl stitution of the council was fixed beyond improvement, he maintained that it would be very unwise for the council to express its adherence to so sweeping and far-reach-ing a proposal.

Mr Stephens, in replying, said that if they had no lawyer on tho council legal matters would not receive the justice that the inTvortance of the faculty demanded It was not necossary to carry the motion as fa.r as had been suggested. The representation might be confined to certain schools ami professions. The motion was lost by a considerable majority on the voices.