DAILY NEWSPAPERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16305, 21 December 1920, Page 2

DAILY NEWSPAPERS.

USE DV CA.\tERBiJRY COLLEGE SUGGESTED. MEANS OF EDUCATING THE PUBLIC MIND. Air G. T: Booth;,formerly a member of the Board, of Goverhort of Canterbury College, wrote to the "board yesterday dealing wiilra'suggestion that the college should seek for admission to the daily newspapers-in this district of a ‘‘Canterbury College; Column,'’ “ with the double purpose.” he explainer], “of educating the public. mind to sound thinking on current problems and of extending the •■influence and ■ pOoularitv of the college itself.” “ I have been. ..exceedingly -gratified to note that, in the uiterretiirig months since I wrote bn July'od’- he continued, “various members-of- the. stuff "have boon carrying the college to the people by means of addresses-and otherwise. Public interest in the work of the college ' has ■ already been ' appreciably stimulated'thereby,-and-if these courses are continued much good will 'result. The proposed summer school'-tp bo hold at Oxford in January"is also an" excellent- idea. But I "earnestly submit that not any of these activities; nor all of them combined, will hare so much- ef-fect'as--a series of ■■authoritative-de-liverances appearing weekly .in ; the public Press, dealing with matters of immediate- concern. At nb time in-pur history has there been such ’ pressing need ns now for sound guidance in dealing with tho economic'’problems of the clay. Unsound doctrine' is V being dinned into our ears every day and all dfly, and the only answer is an occasional newspaper editorial,' which few read. “ Generally speaking, wo arc' 'in a state of complete mental confusion. Our politicians and other would-be‘ leaders ot the people are snatching af -'etery .shallow expedient and'bogus panacea, and making' the confusion ' worse -confounded. It-is no exaggeration" to ■ sav that i.he position is aefttef and''.serious' trouble may -ensue if'those dreupyuig and directing the seat's -of learning, who aro entitled to speak'with author-' ity. do not come to the rescue, and that right speedily. ’ “What Phare suggested ,v o ,il v a . little thing in comparison with the-Ur-gency of the need. ' Something better and more efficient mav. f hope- bo evolved: But-1 frel' T must say’lhat Canterbury College has an opportunity for proving its worth and rendering a conspicuous-service, and if.it does not rise to it, it will have failed of its-duty. “ T make no apology for urging tliir, upon you, except to say that I desire intensely that tho college should justify itself as a centre of Light and Learning for the community.” The board referred jbe- letter to the College Committee, with power to confer with the Professorial Board and to net.,