THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1923. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18764, 18 January 1923, Page 6

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES THURSDAY, JANUARY 18, 1923. THE UNIVERSITY SENATE.

While the Chancellor referred, as usual, to various aspects of academic life in his address yesterday at the opening of the session of the University Senate, certainly the most arresting of his statements consisted in his brief intimation that he is about to lay down the important office which he has held for the last twenty years, and that he will not again be a candidate for the Chancellorship. Sir llobert Stout has presided over the Senate for so long a period that his retirement from the office of Chancellor seems almost akin to the breaking of an accepted tradition. Upon his work as an educationalist there is little need

for us to enlarge, for it is well known aud fully recognised by the community. His connection with the University of Now Zealand as a member of-the Senate dates back nearly thirty-eight years, from the now distant period at which ho was Minister of Education. All who have any knowledge of the history ’of tho University of New Zealand are well acquainted with tho unflagging interest and energy, which Sir Robert has shown in the cause of higher as well as of primary and secondary education. As Chancellor ho has fought the battles inevitably associated with the growth and development of the University in a manner that has perhaps been appreciated by none more than by those who have advanced proposals which have encountered his doughty opposition. At all times as Chancellor ho has led the way in striving for the maintenance of the highest university ideal possible and for a concentration of effort upon the preservation of the highest standard of efficiency. The steadfastness of his adherence to the policy which he has believed to be in the true interests of the University has been frequently thrown into contrast with the impetuosity of the advocates of “reform.” To the constancy of Sir Robert Stout’s championship of it, the cause of higher education in New Zealand is indebted in a degree which it would be difficult adequately to assess. It is well to think that though he retires from the Chancellorship tho Senate is not to he deprived altogether of the benefit of his counsel' and experience. Passing reference was made by the Chancellor in his address to the circumstances under which the graduation coremonies were carried out during the past year,— to occurrences over which, in his opinion, “the judicious and lovers of higher education must feel grieved.” It is to be acknowledged that the conduct of the undergraduates of our colleges upon, or in celebration of, such occasions has given some cause for criticism on tho score of buffoonery and vulgarity, while at the degree-conferring functions any discussion of the higher educational problems seems to be rather conspicuously avoided, perhaps for reasons that are not far to seek. The Chancellor must be expressing the view of all thoughtful persons in deploring the intrusion of elements which interfere with the character of university ceremonies which should have some dignity and educational j significance. There is less ground for complaint respecting the carnival-making proclivities manifested by tho students once a year outside the University halls. It is true that they are accompanied by a good deal that, to use the Chancellor’s words, does not “tend to advance the higher things of life.” There is, however, a time for play as well as for work, and the behaviour of the students upon such occasions as those of their. annual processions is not at all peculiar to New Zealand, and so long as it is kept within /reasonable bounds, need excite no special concern. Sir Robert Stout devoted some attention to suggestions for the abolition ( of the University of Now Zealand which more than one speaket had the temerity to throw out at last year’s degree-conferring function. The Chancellor combats such suggestions with his usual thoroughness, and his interesting reference to the position in Scotland appears very apposite for purposes of comparison. We should be surprised to learn, however, that there was any body of opinion worth considering in tho j dominion at tho present time favourable j to tho abolition of tho University of New ! Zealand. Certainly the University is I after all but an examining body, and is no doubt a fairly expensive corporation ; but its value as a supendsing authority is not to be lightly discounted. Those who suggest its abolition desire to see four separate and independent universities, in New Zealand. There is no novelty about the idea. It embodies a dream which will, we suppose, come true one of these days, but not in the near future. Four separate universities for a country with the small population of New Zealand would savour of indulgence in educational luxuries. With each college set free .to work out its own educational salvation, startling tendencies in the direction of expensive aud unnecessary schemes for the establishment of new schools would no doubt be revealed. The people of this dominion find the burden of tho cost of education already sufficiently heavy. Then there is the question as to bow the value of the degrees of provincial universities would compare with that of tlie degree of the University of New Zealand. A loss of prestige would appear to be almost inevitable. Sir Robert Stout discussed the matter from the standpoint of these and other difficulties. But those who have advocated tho change must surely themselves recognise discussion upon tho point as decidedly premature. A generation hence, perhaps, may bo soon enough for consideration as a practical proposition of what must at present remain a pious aspiration.