UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15159, 1 October 1913, Page 8

UNIVERSITY EDUCATION

SIIGGISTED RHPOROMJS. IMPORTANT RECOMMENDATIONS.

(Faoii Que Special Gobbbspondkni.)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 30. The report of uiie Jiklucauon Committee of tne House of ..Kepresentati ves on the petitions tor an inquiry nroo University Jij ducation by a iioyal Oommis. sion was presented to the Jiouse to-day Tile Committee reported as follows. (1) That the University of iSew. Zealand should be brought more closely into touch with the affiliated teaching institutions.

(2) That the question of dealing with the subject of University reform idNew Zealand was postponed in 1911 in the hope that the University Senate, would itself evolve a scheme of interna] reform. . The Senate has recently issued to the graduates three schemes for their consideration. It is, however, .very doubtful whether this course of action .will lead to any practical result. (3) That while day teaching is essential for the prosecution of all' higher University work, the continuance of evening classes is necessary under present conditions to ensure the correlation of the University' with the technical work of the country and the general life of the people. Any scheme therefore for improving and extending the work of the University should endeavour to provide for both. The Committee does not advise the setting up of a Royal Commission, but makes the' following recommendations, (1) That the Government be asked to bring down legislation to alter the Constitution of the Senate, so as to make it consist Imainlly of members elected from the Councils of the affiliated Colleges. " . ■ ' • •. . ■ ' (2) That a body representative of the Professorial Boards be constituted, and that it possess advisory powers in all academic matters.

(3) That provision be made in. accordance with the recommendations of the. Inspector-General of Schools in his "report "on the University Colleges of New Zealand in 1912, for (a) strengthening the various faculties or the affiliated College including grants for specialisation in Victoria College and Auckland University College; (b).for better equipment of the libraries; and (c) for the prosecution of research. (4) That to meet the immediate needs of the Colleges for the current financial year the sum of £4500 be granted, as follows—to Auckland Undy&re|by College for strengthening the faculties, of Axts,_ Science and Commerce £I6OO, in addition toxgrants hitherto made; to the Victoria CoUege to meet the deficit in the current year's finances, to. enable the 1-tegistraj^ s Office to be put on a proper footing, and to strengthen the teaching staff, £1500; in addition to the grants appearing in the appropriations of 1911-1912. To Otago University, for strengthening • the Medical School, £ISOO, in addition to all grants appearing in the last appropriations. The Horn A. L. Herdman said that this report was of enormous importance as affecting the University life of this country and its future. H© would suggest that consideration of the r«porfc and the discussion which should take place upon such an \ important document, should be postponed for a week, in order that members may have. ,an opi.. .portunity of becoming seized..,of J ;tij.«, value of the recommendations,and, ,0? having an opportunity of perusing 'the evidence.