Four Universities

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1078, 16 September 1930, Page 7

Four Universities

FAVOURED BY AUCKLAND

College Council Takes Vote

TIIE concensus of opinion of the Auckland University College Council, expressed on a vote taken yesterday, favoured this centre having a separate university in preference to one institution in each island, as recommended by the report of the Parliamentary Recess Committee on. Education.

This expression of opinion was taken to give a. lead to delegates to the conference of representatives of four colleges to be held at Wellington on September 25 when the education report will be discussed. The Auckland College Council will he represented by Sir George Fowlds, Mr. T. U. Wells, Professor Segar and Mr. 11. O’Shea. Fears that the acceptance of the two university principle would effectively prevent Auckland securing a separate institution were expressed by several members. Sir George Fowlds said he thought that two universities—one in each island—was a possible step, but he doubted if this could be brought about for some time. The day had largely passed when there could be four separate universities, principally because of the advent of the Massey Agricultural College and to a lesser extent, Canterbury College, and the making of six university colleges in New Zea- j land was not feasible. lie did not j think it was possible to get rid of the j evils of the New Zealand university system. He considered, however, it would be possible to have three colleges operating as one university, with the internal administration conducted by a section of the Senate of North New Zealand, and policy questions determined by an academic board of the North Island. Mr. H- J. B. Mahon claimed that the only argument that could be adduced in favour of the two universities was the complications created by the establishment of Massey College. He believed that the proposals of the report were going to prevent the establishment of Auckland as a separate university, to which they should look, and that the plan would add to the cost of administration because the Government was not going to contribute toward control. The money would have to be provided by the four centres. FAULTS CARRIED OVER Ur. H. Rairston considered it would not. be possible to run two universities any cheaper than one in each centre and that the faults of the present system would be carried over to the two

universities scheme. The university for the North Island would effectively kill the idea of a separate university for Auckland; the two university scheme was not a half-way measure at all. One could not help but feel that not much in grants would be received from the Government and if the university was to progress, they would have to depend on gifts and endowments. He believed that Auckland would receive more gifts and endowments if it was a separate institution. He felt that this objective would be checked a great deal if the old federal system and its defects were perpetrated, and that it would kill altogether the prospects of getting a separate university. Sir George Fowlds: What would you do with the Massey College? Two members suggested it could be either handed over to Wellington because it was clpser to the capital city and could be administered more cheaply, or could be attached to either Wellington or Auckland University. “It seems to me to be a most iniquitous proposal to seize cC20,000 for libraries and £50,000 for their upkeep,” commented Mr. Mahon, in referring to the funds of £74),000 accumulated by the New Zealand University. The majority of this money was used for scholarships. While he realised the value of scholarships, he considered that this proposal should be carefully watched. Sir George Fowlds announced that he would watch this suggestion very carefully. Another member complained that the proposal was very dangerous and he hoped delegates would oppose, it. Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie supported the advocacy of a separate university for Auckland, pointing out that the individuality of the Otago University had resulted in its receiving greater benefactions than colleges in other centres. Sir George Fowlds assured members that in speaking at the conference he would certainly present the views of other members of the council. On a vote being taken only three supported the two university principal as a half-way measure, the other six opposing it.