NEW RECTOR OF ST. ANDREWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17169, 12 October 1923, Page 4

NEW RECTOR OF ST. ANDREWS.

RUDYARD KIPLING J INSTALLED. Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright ! Australian and N.Z. Gable Association. LONDON, October 10. Amid familiar scenes, such as undergraduates stripping boots and socks off each other during the installation and throwing them into tho air, and other escapades, Afr Rudyard Kipling was installed as Lord Rector of St .Andrews University in succession to Sir James Barrie. Among those who -received honorary degrees was Mr S. Baldwin. Prime Minister, who is Mr Kipling’s The new Rector, in a witty address, based on the lines of Robert Burns about “ the glorious privilege of being independent,’ said that independence meant : “ Let every herring hang by its own head,” and signified the blessed state of hanging on to as few persons and things as possible. The desire for independence was one of the earliest human instincts. Not until man abandoned his family tree and associated himself with others on. tlio flat--for predatory or homicidal purposes did, lie sacrifice personal independence of i the tree tops.” Mr Kipling ccntinuocL ’’lt ri interesting to recall that, when speech wa» born, the first use man made oi his new power of expression was to tell a irigid, calculating lie. Conceive his pride when the first liar found that, by mere word of mouth ; he could send his simpler companions shinning tip trees in search of fruit he know was not there. The success oi his early lies showed man that he was a miracle worker. Can you blame him for thinking himself a God? He was only kept within bounds by the discovery that this art of lying was not confined to liimsslf. Apparently the two hist liars were of the opposite sex. They married and had numerous progeny.” Mr Kipling concluded by urging the undergraduates at alt costs to remember that- one thing that stands outside cf belittlement and through all changes is the guidance that drives a man to own himself : that teaches that no profit a- man makes by concessions to public opinion can justify his disregard of that principle. Yourself is the only person you cannot possibly get away from in this life, and may be. in another. It is worth a little pains and money to be good to oneself.” The lines referred to are as follow:—To catch Dane Fortune’s golden smile Assiduous wait upon her. And gather gear by every wile That’s justified by honour; Not for to hide it in a hedge. Nor for a train attendant But for the glorious privilege Of being independent.