A TARDY RECANTATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20703, 29 April 1929, Page 8

A TARDY RECANTATION.

Sir George Fowlus has, in a com-, munication to the Chancellor of Otago University, expressed his regret that “ he was induced by newspaper reports” to make a statement which, cast reflections upon the Otago and Canterbury-University College authorities in 5 the matter of applications to the Carnegie Trustees for educational grants. What the newspaper reports jtnay have been by which he permitted himself to be guided, or misguided, is not made very clear. A message.'.that was published in Auckland simuitanously with his own statement referred to “ a circumstantial report current in university circles,”- and gave certain details respecting the Carnegie Corporation’s intentions

corresponding to those conveyed in a' private intimation received, to its surprise, by the Otago University Council, and communicated by it confidentially to the committee representative of the four colleges wMch has been handling the business of these applications for grants. Sir George Fowlds .would seem to have been all too easily “ induced,” in a mood of righteous indignation, to brand the authorities of the southern colleges with having conceived “ a smart move but scarcely an honourable one.” It might have been expected of Sir George Fowlds, occupying, as he does, Ihe office of president of the Auckland University Council and a scat on the New Zealand University Council, that since it was, as he admitted, difficult for him to believe the report, he would hesitate, without inquiry, to launch, allegations of sharp practice against persons associated with him in . the control of higher education in the Dominion. The ■ acknowledgment which he now makes that he was misled and his withdrawal of his suggestion of “ a flagrant breach of faith ” on the part of the Council of Otago University and the Board of Governors of Canterbury College are welcome, but the amende, might have been, offered with a little more promptitude. That it should not receive less prominence than .the statement to which it relates is clearly desirable. .