CLOSER UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25175, 16 March 1943, Page 2

CLOSER UNITY

CITY AND UNIVERSITY COUNCIL’S DESIRE TO ASSIST A statement by Cr Smith at the meeting of the City Council last night that there should be greater unity between the council and the University of Otago was followed by a decision to invite the University authorities to discuss with the council methods by which the University could be assisted by the city. The meeting was attended by the Mayor (Mr A. H. Allen), Crs D. C. Jolly, E. J. Smith, W. B. Taverner, J. McCrae, R. Walls, M. C’ Henderson, D. C. Cameron, J. Wilson, and J. W. Munro, M.P. Responsibility of Citizens Cr Smith suggested that the relationship between the council and the University should be closer. He said that, of 1400 students at the University, 700 lived beyond the boundaries of Otago, and a conservative estimate of what they spent in the city each year was £60,000. “What are we doing for them? ” he asked. Other centres would gladly start a medical school in addition to Otago’s, and that should be avoided. Many students were living under conditions that could scarcely be called comfortable. The University Council had done all it could, but citizens could help by showing more hospitality towards the students, particularly at the week-ends. An occasional meal or invitation to a home would be a great help. He suggested that representatives of the University should be invited to meet a committee of the council in order to ascertain whether the council could help the University in any way. The Mayor referred to the “ very inadequate ” boarding facilities available for students. This was not the responsibility of the City Council, which had no power to set up hostels, but he>was in full accord with Cr Smith’s remarks. The opening of a second medical school would be a disaster to Dunedin, and the council snould fight hard against it. One way in which the city could show its interest in the University was by levying a special rate as an annual contribution. This had been mentioned to him at the recent sittings of the senate of the University of New Zealand. “But we have to be careful, as rating is a tender spot with our citizens,” the Mayor said. He had replied that no-council was likely to put forward such a proposal. It had been pointed out to him that in some parts of the Empire universities were supported in such a way. Special Rate Favoured Cr Munro said he could not agree with the Mayor in his repudiation of any thought of a rate. In fact, he would throw out the suggestion that such a rate should be levied. He w. s not so sure as the Mayor appeared to be that another medical school would not be established in the north. A demand for a medical school in Auckland had been made in Parliament. His experience had shown that Auckland people became quite bitter and even savage about this matter. That was something that must be looked to in the future. Auckland would take a medical school if it could get one.

The Mayor: That is another matter. They may demand a medical school, but it does not follow that they will get one. Cr Munro suggested that the question of the preponderance of votes might have a bearing on any decision on this matter. The whole question of a medical school was merged into the public life of Auckland. Cr Taverner remarked that the agitation referred to by Cr Munro had been going on for 20 years or more. On the motion of Cr Smith it was decided to write to the' University Council asking whether there was any way in which the City Council could assist it, and suggesting the setting up of committees from each body to confer on such proposals as might be made,