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Star (Christchurch), Issue 16324, 13 January 1921, Page 9

The problem of ivomon graduates is troubling the Cambridge dons, says a London correspondent of an exchange. Oxford has admitted women to its degrees and other privileges on a virtual equality with men. ami the students of tho four women’s colleges arc ‘ freshers,’' and sjbjec-fc to the discipline of tlm ’varsity proctors. At the present there are 'idO girl graduates at Oxford, and 2<M) nou-eollegiaie .students. 'When Oxford, says ihc writer, tho dory university, gave a lead ;n this thoroughgoing fashion it was expected l that the go-ahead Cambridge would also be generous to women. Instead of a quiet acceptance of the position, au angry debate is raging n> to whether the girls of Xewnhnm and fiiiton shall be granted degrees. Dour professors and stately dons, not to mention o\fited indcrg-aduates, desire to keep Cambridge masculine. 1 Lev are ready to a.low women students to attend university lectures, and sit for the university examinations, but they are not disposed to give women degrees and the privileges of voting in university matters. ‘‘ Will women demand admission to the CTiion and tli ? Men’s Clubs?” a si; the opponents of the change. Wide-awake Cambridge men, however, know that if they do hot give women the degree all the‘best scholars of tho gentler sex will go to Oxford, and Xewnhnm and Cirton will he left with the '‘duds.’' To the present the battle lias been waged by the male dons, graduates, and undergraduates of Cambridge, and women have stood aside. “Wo shall go in when fhe men ask ns, but we shall not push ourselves,” said ‘ouo of the heads of a women’s cohcge. One result of Oxford's extending full rights to the students at women’s colleges has been the regulation of the university costume. The women at Oxford near gowns like the men, hut the cap is larger and softer The rule reads : ” When a woman in dci graduate presents herself for a university examination in the schools, or for receiving a degree, she must v ear with the academic dross, a vhite blouse, with a black tie. a dark skirl, black stockings. black boots or shoes ; a dark coat may also l>c worn. She retains her cap. where a. male undergraduate removes bis, as in church nr at university ceremonies.” Nothing, be it noted, ib said about stockings. Apparently. those may be silk” or wool. But it 13 possible that the University proctors wiT also consider these little matters, inasmuch as it is their duty to “ exercise a general supervision over the conduct < f all undergraduates, and [ tin's supervision extends to the company which uodcrgr .1 denies keep, and the I places they fivqucnt.”