SOLDIER SCHOLARSHIPS

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 26

SOLDIER SCHOLARSHIPS

AT BRITISH UNIVERSITIES

COLONEL, LASCELLES'iS SCHEME.

(Fkom Oub Own Correspondent.) LONDON, September 7. When I was in Oxford a jear ago to hear & lecture by Professor Warren, I was struck by the desertion of the halls and colleges as far as men students were concerned. The audience in the Sheldonian was largely composed of women (many of them war workers) and aged dons. Of the few men one was English and in khaki. A handful were -Hindus, and the balance speaking English were American Rhodes scholars. Now America has come into the war and Oxford is hit again, for all the Rhodes scholars from across the Atlantic have gone. Last spring a young New Zealand officer, Major E. W. Lascelles, then on the staff of Major-general H. H. Davies, CB. (also a New Zealander) was in Oxford on duty in connection with the education of thousands of youths of 18 in General Davieo's command. Dining at Merton with Sir Walter Ralegh, the conversation turned on the desertion of the colleges by America's entry into the war. Major Lascelles threw out a hint that oversea university men returned to England unfit might profitably spend a year or two in British universities before returning home. The suggestion fell on fruitful ground. The master of Balliol, who has welcomed so many Rhodes scholars from overseas, took it up enthusiastically, ajnd Oxford as a whole university fathered it. Lord Selborne at once accepted the chairmanship, and Lord Milner also took a keen interest in it, so that within a few weeks a new Rhodes Scholarship scheme had been evolved, in which practically every university in England is participating. Major Lascelles, who received the brevet promotion of Lieutenant-colonel in May, was seconded from his staff duties and appointed by the War Office to be organising secretary to the Oversea Sailor and SoldierScholarships, which appropriately has its headquarters under the same roof as the Rhodes Scholarships, at Seymour House, Waterloo Plaoo • THE SCHEME. The scholarship scheme, as set forth Jn a memorandum, is for the benefit of men serving in the naval and military forces from the dominions who have: (a) Qualified at an oversea university, (b) Had their studies at an overseas university interrupted by the call to serve, (c) Passed examinations of university entrance standard, but havo not attended a university, (d) Had practically no education since leaving school at an early age but have developed considerable character and power of thought, and would benefit greatly by a course of study at a university. (e) Attended technical schools or been engaged in occupations demanding a high standard of technical knowledge. A number of these men have come to England from the armies in the field or from naval service, suffering, from wounds or sickness, and have been declared unfit for further service. In the ordinary course they would be returned homo at the first opportunity. The idea of the scheme is to enable them, while in England, to take advantage of their proximity to British educational institutions and undergo a year's study, or more if convenient. As a matter of fact, at least one New Zealander had already taken his discharge in Great Britain and entered for a post-graduate course at Cambridge University. The scheme .is not confined to Oxford and Cambridge. All the universities -of .Great Britain have been approached, and, without exception, they have welcomed the scheme and agreed 'to take the overseas scholars. Oxford has undertaken this at considerable expense. A great proportion of the teaching staffs of all the colleges are on active service, but Oxford has decided to recall any professors and tutors who may bo necessary in order to give the overseas scholars the best tuition that the university has given in normal times. The more technical universities —Manchester, Durham. Birmingham, and London —have shown an equally keen interest. v

It is estimated that scholarships of the annual value of £l5O to £250 per annum — varying according to the university selected —would amply cover all the expenses of living, tuition, and other 'fees. Each scholarship will bo awarded on the recommendation of the authorities of the dominion to which the candidate belongs, upon the university to which the candidate is proposed agreeing to accept hjm. _ And the continuance of the scholarship will depend upon the college being satisfied with the work and conduct of the scholar. As regards Oxford and Cambridge, the position of these service scholars was likely to be rendered rather anomalous by the fact that most of the colleges are frequented by cadet training battalions. The naval and military status of a scholar will be determined by the authorities of the dominion to which he belongs. He may be either an officer or a private soldier, and he may be on leave and in receipt of pay or on leave without pay. That is entirely a matter for the dominion nominating the schohr. From the university point of view all scholars, irrespective of their naval or military rank, will be treated the same. They will be subject to the ordinary rules of th©-university and college, and will follow the courses of srtudy provided by the university. It is stp'ongly recommended tint they should be permitted to wear civilian clothes whenever they like, so as to eliminate any tendency to differentiation according to rank. General Smuts, as a graduate of Cambridge, supported the scheme very heartily. witTi the result that South Africa provided some thousands of pounds from public fund 3 to furnish scholarships forthwith. A number of South African soldiers will consequently go into residence at English universities at the beginning of the new cession in October. It is hoped that the other dominions will have considered and approved the schema in time to allow their scholars to do the

same. Tho duration of the war is not exactly indefinite, and the more scholars it is possible to put through the English ■universities within tho next year ov two the better fruits will result from the scheme.