THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND RETURNED SOLDIERS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18352, 16 September 1921, Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY COUNCIL AND RETURNED SOLDIERS.

id thb editor Sir, —In your sub-leader this_ morning, in which you discuss the deputation from the R.S.A. to the University Council concerning class fees for returned soldiers, you eay: “The meeting of the University Council offered no disclosure of what may. bo the feeling of its; members in the matter. We can hardly suppose that it wee other than sympathetic.’' I would suggest that this is a supposition that can find no support in facts. Why did the council not grant this just and moderate demand at once? The University Council has shown itself an unpatriotic body. Before the war a prominent member of the council strenuously opposed compulsory military training. Much time and energy was spent during the war by more than one prominent member of the council in attempts to secure exemption for men who were called up for service, and the war was used as a lever to boost the University. One prominent member of the council has more than once expressed the opinion that the men who stayed at home exhibited greater self-sacrifice than ilio-c who went to the war! purine tV v.-,r the ear of the council - was secured b • these who stayed in New Zealand, and when the war was over the council, it is commonly rumoured, was ready to ' noj'ap" one of its most distinguished teachers, who had before'and during the war obtained u world-wide reputation for his work. There can be no questioning the fact that the policy of the University Council has been consistently unsympathetic towards those who went to the war. When appointments have been mode they have been given to men who stopped at home, in preference to men of higher qualifications who served abroad. The council has recently received some new elected by convocation or nominated by the Government. In the face of the unsympathetic attitude towards returned soldiers which has been evident in the post, it is fortunate that one of those new members has seen war service abroad, and_ another has had sons who served abroad while he served at home. It is not by accident that the returned soldier students’ position has been overlooked, and it should ba .pointed out to the Government that the greatest need at the present lime in the University Council is an influx of returned soldiers or of fathers of returned soldiers, into its membership,—l am, etc., Returned Soldier.