"EFFETE SNOBBISHNESS."

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18412, 19 June 1925, Page 8

"EFFETE SNOBBISHNESS."

ATTACK ON UNIVERSITY. STATEMENTS RESENTED. "It is agreed that tho present University system requires alteration, but the remarks in general were far too sweeping, and certainly puerile," said a prominent member of the New Zealand University Senato in referonco to tho article from "National Education," the journal of the New Zealand Educational Institute, which was published in Wednesdays issue of "Tho Press." Tha article alleged that tho present University system tended, among other things, to "effoto and snobbish isolation." Tho Senate was far from being a conservative body; if anything, it erred in the other direction, said tho speaker. A great opportunity was being given to tho masses to share in tho benefits of University training. Perhaps the Senato had been too freo in establishing courses of a more or less technical nature to tho detriment of tho general function of tho University—that of promoting general culture. In recent years tho arts and science courses had been much enlarged, and now courses had been established, in journalism, accountancy, forestry, agriculture, and architecture. The Senate, along with tho Government, had greatly increased the scholarships and bursaries for study, both in New Zealand and abroad. In reference to the matter of oxtcrnal examinations, ho stated that tho internal examination system was in voguo up to the pass grade, and this grado included the greater part of tho students. Considerable difficulty had arison in instituting this system, and had tho Senate been of the "barnacle" nature, as alleged, it would havo abolished the system instead of persevoring with it and trying to improve it. Tho extension of tins system to tho higher examinations was impracticable till tho establishment of soparato Universities took place, as mon qualifiod to examine in this sphere could not bo found in New Zealand. Ho assorted that_ no more direct control could bo exercisod over appointments than was douo at, present. Tho governing bodies were representatives of tho people, but a.\\ depended on whether thoy wcro propared to shoulder the responsibility. Everyone was aware, ho continued, that thoro was a difference of efficiency in different, departments! The chief difficulty lay in maintaining: a high level of efficiency. This certainly would not be effected by merely placing another farmer or two or another business man on tho Board of Governors, as some people seemed to think. That entrance to tho University was being made much easier could bo evidenced by tho fact that the number of night students was rapidly increasing. This constituted one of the most serious-dif-ficulties tho University had to face. At present the colleges were overcrowded and understaffed. Tho public had made entrance to the University easier, but they had not taken the steps necessary to deal with the increased influx of students. In this those responsible had evaded their responsibility. The crying need at present Was not students, but staffs to train them and buildings to house theni in when they wero at college.