NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1886, 19 March 1874, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY.

Tho Otago Guardian of March 13 contains the following article : — A further phase of the University question is now before the public. Another meeting of the Council washeld on Wednesday, at which some additional resolutions were passed, which we published yesterday. We also published the letter of his Honor the Superintendent, expressing his own views, in which the Executive Council concurred, with reference to the question of affiliation. We quite concur in the wisdom and utility of tho step which the University is about to take in order to establish, on the pattern of the Oxford and Cambridge examinations, an examination to test the proficiency of those classes in schools not aiming either at matriculation or graduation, and to grant certificates according to merit. The Council is, we think, to bo commended for this effort to extend widely over the country the utility of its professoriate. Indeed, we confess to a very strong conviction long held by us, that this opportunity of setting up a high and unimpeachable standard of examination, to which all the educational work going on in the colony could be referred, and by which it could be tested, is by far the most pressing want to be supplied by tho University. Nay, we are of opinion that for many years to come New Zealand could have got along excellently well with some machinery adapted to this function. We further are pleased to observe that an effort is to be made to aggregate the professors and students in residence at the University buildings, wherever these may ultimately be fixed. Now that we have a staff of competent professors and a collegiate teaching body, it is, we think, quite impossible to over-estimate the vast increase of educating power to be secured in this way. We are of the number of those who believe that the education which grows of the intercourse of young men with one another when the intellectual and moral nature is fresh and plastic, the collision and rubbing of mind with mind, and feeling with feeling, is education in tho very broadest and best sense of that term. Those who have had the opportunity of watching, as we have had, the prodigious influence for gocd of this power of sympathy and association where it is present, and the utter void which is visible where it is wanting, are alone capable of estimating tho overwhelming importance of this intellectual and moral fermentation. We are greatly pleased to find that our Council are able to fnol this matter in all its intensity. We think the like good judgment is displayed in the effort that is about to be mado to obtain a better site and a better building for the local habitation of the University. The building now used wns at first a very white elephant indeed, but is fast losing that radiant hue, and is becoming botli literally and figuratively, to corporations scholastic and municipal, a " bSte noir." Its bad acoustic pi'operties disqualify it from ever being anything like a tolerable suite of lecture rooms, and tho City Surveyor has already thrown it from him like physic to the dogs. We are sorry we cannot agree with the views and opinions of his Honor and his Executive, temperately as they are expressed, and evident as is their only desire to act in the best interests of the province. Once the New Zealand University is reconstituted on a better basis, it is a matter of no moment whether its seat be said to be at Dunedin, or Christchurch, or Wellington. The seat of such an institution could not be correctly said to be anywhere except, perhaps, in New Zealand as a whole. The University of New Zealand, with its system of affiliated institutions, would be present wherever there was an affiliated institution. Nor do we see that any sacrifice of independence or sinking of individuality will necessarily follow affiliation. We havo not the least doubt our Collegiate Corporation would still retain, in their full integrity, alike its independence, its indivividuality, and its " old identity." And quite right too, we say. The portion of his Honor's letter to which wo feel bound to take most exception is that which contrasts the character of the degrees to bo conferred by tho Otago University that is now, and the degree* to be conferred by tho reconstituted Colonial

University. With all deference, we venture to think that the letter of his Honor betrays a misconception of this point. His Honor's words are : " The only other advantage from affiliation would be that graduates might obtain degrees by virtue of colonial instead of provincial legislation." Thi3 so-called advantage is contrasted with the degrees ef a " University which imparts to its students the highest intellectual and moral culture." His I Honor thinks that " the Otago University has only to continue to aim high " in order to obtain extrinsic value for its degrees. We must say respectfully that not only is there here a misconception, but the whole question is begged. The point is not at all by what legislation, provincial or colonial, the degrees are obtained. That has nothing whatever to with the matter so far as any extrinsic value of the degrees is concerned. His Honor really assumes the whole point when he speaks of a University which imparts the highest culture to its students, and which continues to aim high. Leaving positive legislation out of the question, that high culture never can be secured, and that high standard never can be maintained, or even approximately reached, however much we may aim at it, except by a competition of alumni extending over a very wide field. Above all is this true in a sparse population as ours now is, and as it mußt for long continue to be. It is by competition among the students only that a high standard can be set up and maintained. This invigorating and liberalising intellectual and moral gymnastic being absent, the very best and most enthusiastic staff of intellectual trainers will be deprived of their efficiency, and will be comparatively powerless for good. We repeat, it is not a question at all of legislation, but it is a question whether the bracing breezes of competition shall be allowed to blow freely or be confined to a comparatively narrow area. We think his Honor and the Executive are to bo commended in that they feel it their duty, in the interest of the province, to give clear, temperate, and unreserved expression to the views they conscientiously hold. Theyi are, we think, still more deserving of praise for the manner in which they have sunk all spirit of partisanship, and in which they have subordinated these views to the views and opinions of the Council and the professors, whose position and experience entitle them to deference in this respect. The following is the letter referred to above : — "Superintendent's Office, Dunedin, " 9th March, 1874. " Sir, — Referring to the subject of our interview on Satui'day, I have the honour to state that the question has been very fully considered by mj responsible advisers and myaelf, and that we are unanimously of opinion that it would be unwise for the Otago University to relinquish any of the powers and privileges which it now possesses, unless Dunedin is to be the seat of the University of New Zealand, as was fully intended by the Colonial Legislature when it passed the University Act, 1870. At the same time, should the' Otago University Council and the Professors decide otherwise, the Government is prepared to acquiesce. " I may say that we are unable to see any great advantage which would accrue to the Otago University from affiliation with the University of New Zealand upon the terms proposed, excepting the acquisition of £500 a year out of the annual Parliamentary grant — a consideration which seems to be scarcely an equivalent for sacrificing its independence, and so far sinking its individuality. Moreover, we cannot lose sight of the circumstance that the Otago University is the older of the two in point of origin, and the only one of the two which is fulfilling the functions of a University — considerations which we feel assured must sooner or later weigh with the Colonial Legislature in its distribution of the funds of the colony, towards which Otago is such an important contributor. " The only other advantage from affiliation would be, that graduates might obtain degrees by virtue of colonial instead of provincial legislation. This is a matter upon which we think too much stress i 3 apt to be laid, for, after all, degrees are in themselves comparatively unimportant, and the University which imparts to its Btudcnts the highest intellectual and moral culture will be the one the degrees of which will be the most highly prized, under whatever authority they may be granted. " The Government feels persuaded that, if extrinsic value to its degrees is any desideratum, the Otago University has only to continue to aim high, to make provision for residence of both professors and students within its walls, and it will in due time be recognised by the Crown, irrespective of the New Zealand University. " With regard to the joint action in the matter of affiliation which it is understood is being sought to be taken by the Canterbury College, not being aware of the direction of the proposed action I am unable to pronounce any opinion on the subject. I may say, however, that we rejoice to see the neighbouring province setting up a teaching body on a scale equal to our own, and we should be glad if there could be mutual co-operation, if not incorporation, between the two institutions. " Might not the Canterbury Legislature confer upon its College the status of a University with similar functions to that of Otago ? — and then the two Universities might constitute a joint examining body for the conferring of degrees upon the graduates of each. " Were Canterbury to adopt some such action as this, there would be no difficulty in each province obtaining itß full Bhare of the funds voted to the New Zealand University without detriment to the rest of the colony, nor would there be any difficulty in obtaining a Royal Charter if deemed expedient. " I venture to submit these suggestions for what they may bo worth. — I am, &c, " J. Macandeeiv. " Superintendent of Otago. " To the Chancellor of the " Otago University, Dunedin."