ACADEMIC FREEDOM

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21940, 29 April 1933, Page 9

ACADEMIC FREEDOM

PROFESSORS AND PUBLIC QUESTIONS LIBERTY OP SPEECH FAVOURED. (Per United Press hssociamon.i AUCKLAND, April 28. , The Auckland District Court of Convocation of the University, at a general meeting last night, discussed in general terms the control, if any, which should be exercised over expressions of opinion of members of the university staff./ It was resolved by a substantial majority “that the court approves and endorses the principle of academic freedom, and regards it as a matter of the highest importance that , all interference on . the part of any outside political authority or any university governing body with freedom of expressing of opinion by members of the university staff, except in so far as such expression of opinion may involve a breach of the law, should br strenuously resisted.” An amendment favouring “ legitimate ” academic freedom, moved by the Rev. Dr Ranston and supported by Professor W. Anderson, was rejected. Dr Ranston contended that, though, a university teacher speaking on his own subject could rightly be regarded as an aiithority, when he spoke on subjects outside his specialty he was only a layman. The public did not realise this. Therefore • liberty of expression should not be absolute.

VICTORIA COLLEGE COUNCIL

THE PRINCIPLE UPHELD. (Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, April 28. Victoria College University Council last night upheld the principle of academic freedom of discussion, as understood in Great Britain. The subject was introduced by a circular letter from the University Teachers’ Association to the University Senate and the governing bodies within the university. The chairman, Mr P. Levi, submitted a resolution from a special committee which had been set up to deal with the matter; this committee consisting of himself, Mr, Justice Ostler, and Professor T. A. Hunter. This resolution, without reference to any recent happening, upheld the principle of free academic discussion by college professors. After lengthy discussion, the following resolution, moved by Mr /Justice Ostler and seconded by Mr A. H. Bakewell, waa carried: “ That the council of Victoria University College strongly upholds the principle of academic freedom of discussion as understood in Great Britain, and ag it has always done in the past.”