UNIVERSITY FINANCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20870, 9 November 1929, Page 6

UNIVERSITY FINANCE.

STATUTORY GRANTS RESTORED. REFORM MEMBERS OPPOSE CLAUSE. (From Oob Pabliamentaby Reporter.) WELLINGTON, November 8. After some opposition to the clause providing for a statutory grant the New Zealand University Amendment Bill was passed by the House of Representatives to-day. When the Bill was in committee Mr R. A, Wright (Reform member for Wellington Suburbs) said that the Auditorgeneral had pointed out that the permanent appropriations were being gradually increased, and submitted that members of the House were charged with the duty of watching very closely the growth of expenditure. He objected to the proposal in the Bill for the restoration of the statutory grant to the New Zealand University without further appropriation than the Act. If the money was required at some future time for another purpose, as no doubt it would, it would be liable to - escape notice, as it was provided for by Act instead of by annual appropriation by Parliament. Mr H. ts. S. Kyle (Reform member for Riccarton) said he did not think it right to specify the amount of the grant. It might happen that the university would be up against it next year and would seek an increase. Mr C. E. Macmillan (Reform member for Tauranga) asked if in the event of the clause being defeated the university would bo left without any funds. The Minister intimated that there would be no other appropriation. In that event,” said Mr Macmillan*, “ the House will have to proceed very carefully.” Mr Wright moved an amendment with the object of providing that the question of the grant should be considered bv Parliament each year. The amendment lie said, would not deprive the university of its grant this year. The amendment was defeated bv 43 votes to 22. Mr D. Joues (Reform member for MidCanterbury) moved a further amendment to provide that the money should not be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. The Chairman of Committees (Mr S. 6. Smith) ruled out the amendment on the grounds that it was frivolous. I J J' sllar (Reform member •Di Gisborne) moved a further amend* ment to reduce the amount of the "rant by £IOOO. ~ ° ( Tbe Leader of the Opposition (Air ,1. G. Coates) asked if the Minister would withdraw the clause, but this Mr Atmorc declined to do. Mr Coates thou stated it would have been possible to have continued the opposition for some hours, hut in view of the lateness of the session he would ask his colleagues to allow the question to go to a vote. The clause was retained by 44 votes to 22 and the Bill was reported without amendment and passed.