THE GREAT UNIVERSITIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 9789, 4 March 1910, Page 1

THE GREAT UNIVERSITIES.

SEEN THROUGH A NEW ZEALANDER'S SPECTACLES. SIR ROBERT STOUT'S IMPRESSIONS. EDUCATION IN THE OLD COUNTRY. Some of the most pleasant hours experienced by Sir Robert Stout during his visit to the United Kingdom were spent at the great universities. Sir Robert, of course, is deeply interested in educational questions, and he lost no opportunities of getting into*close touch with modern ideas in regard to systems and methods. At Oxford and Cambridge he saw some signs of the conservative feeling which prevails, and which . is demonstrated by the consistent return ot Conservative candidates at the elections. Speaking on this subject when he was in Ohnstchurch yesterday he said that the Conservative force was more marked at Oxford, and the Liberal force at Cambridge, but at both universities there were very able men in the Liberal parties. A working mens college had been established at Oxiord, where there was a distinct movement in the direction of giving men without means all the advantages" of the best possible education the country could provide. In a speech at a luncheon given to new graduates at Edinburgh Sir Robert Stout suggested that the best means of bringing about a change in that respect was to have free university education and to recognise ability as the only qualification tor admission. Greek is still a compulsory subject at Oxford and Cambridge, but from what he heard from students who had passed in Greek he judged that some of those >vho passed had only a very slight knowledge of the subject His 1 own opinion is that Greek has no more claim to be a compulsory subject than any special science has. In Oxford, Cambridge, and indeed all the large universities of the United Kingdom, he found, there is a feeling that reform is needed. For some time a committee has been at work at Cambridge, making inquiries , in r^.f a f h _° feasible reforms, and Lord Cuizon has issued an interesting memorandum setting forth what he thinks can be done. There is a tendency to.unite in regard to examinations. The Manchester, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds Universities already have one matriculation examination, and BirmingliaP. will probably join them. in* same principle may be applied to examinations for degrees At Glasgow quite a large number ot people express a wish in that direction especially in view of complaints that the Glasgow examinations are severe and give other Scottish Universities with easier examinations an opportunity to attract students who are doubtful about passing. The best technical institutions Sir Robert saw were in Glasgow and Manchester. The buildings in which the work is carried on aro huge. In the Glasgow school there are twenty-three miles of corridors. That institution is divided into many departments, each with its staff and its elaborate equipment. There are even a dye depart-

ment and a bakery department. Tn the latter bread is baked and all the appliances are shown in operation. Educationists at Home are also devoting great attention to public libraries as a means of. spreading . knowledge.' Many towns, of course, are indebted to Mr Carnegie for bis gifts. Edinburgh has a .specially good public library, and Sir Robert was impressed with the motto placed over the door at the entrance: "Let there be light.'' As to the position of education generally in the Old Country, lie says that there is a great deal of dissension amongst the Churches, which insist upon their creeds being taught in the State schools.' His own observations, and remarks made to him by many men, some of whom are churchmen, have led him to the conclusion that the only solution of the educational difficulty is the establishment of a secular system. He was told that it was impossible to have it at present, but that it certainly was the goal to which tha agitation was tending.