FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22212, 15 March 1934, Page 14

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION

VICTORIA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE RECENT ATTACKS RESENTED. (Special to Daily Times.) AVELLINGTON, March 14. Resolutions requesting the retirement of certain members of the Victoria University College Council and recommending student representation on the council and advocating the maintenance of academic freedom and protesting against " tho recent attacks on the freedom of expression inside the college" were carried at a meeting of the Court of Convocation of Victoria College University district (graduates of the cpllege). The members of the College Council referred to are Mr Justice Ostler, Mr A. Fair, K.C. (Solicitor-general), Mr P. Levi (chairman), and Mr S. Eichelbaum. They are the present representatives of the Court of Convocation.

In the resolution that was passed appreciation is expressed of their services, but they are requested to retire and to offer themselves as may be desired for re-election. The meeting was attended by 79 graduates and was held at the college. The text of the resolutions carried at the meeting was made available to-day. It is as follows: " In view of the fact that no organisation representing the graduates is taking an active part in university life, this meeting of the District Court of Convocation resolves to set up a standing committee of five persons whose duty it will be. first, to keep in touch with all matters affecting the university; secondly, to recommend nominations of representatives of the court on the College Council; thirdly, to arrange a general meeting of the convocation at least once during each college year." "This meeting affirms that it is the first duty of a university to maintain academic freedom, invading the right of discussion in matters of current controversy." " That as far as the teaching staff is concerned the tolerance that haß been characteristic, of English universities is the minimum that should be conceded."

" That so long as they keep the law students should be permitted and en ; couraged to control their own affairs."

" That this meeting protests against the recent attacks on the freedom of expression inside the college and that any direction from the College Council or other authority that conflicts with these vital principles should be rescinded, and that in particular the letter from the chairman of the Professorial Board to the Students' Association, dated October 19, 1933, should be withdrawn." " This meeting of graduates resolvesFirst, that to facilitate satisfactory relations between the student body and the college authorities provision should be made, at the earliest possible date for student representation on the College Council in accordance with the unanimous recommendation of the Royal Commission on University Education set up by the Government in 1925; secondly, that a copy of this resolution be forwarded direct to the Government as well as to the College Council; and, thirdly, that pending legislation to give effect to the University Commission's recommendation in this matter it is desirable that the District Court of Convocation should elect as one of its four representatives on the College Council either a person (if qualified for election) who for the time being holds office as president of the Students' Association, or some other eligible person approved by the association. While expressing appreciation of the services of the present representatives of the District Court of Convocation on the College Council, the Court of Convocation requests that these representatives should retire, offering themselves as may be desired for reelection, and that a copy of this part of the resolution be forwarded to each of the present representatives."