PROFESSORIAL QUESTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1349, 29 January 1912, Page 4

PROFESSORIAL QUESTIONS.

FOE UNIVERSITY SENATORS.

"An illuminating side-light," writes Professor Pickcn, of Victoria College, "is thrown upon the attitude of senators towards this important question, by tho arguments put forward in support of two motions which were carried nnouposed in thi! Senate on Friday. On the "actual subjects of the motions I offer no opinion. The first motion was towards removing the privilege at present extended to practising solicitors of five years' standing, of enrol ling as-barristers without further examination. And the mover's argument was to the effect.that this privilege is directly contrary to efforts uf the University (o add much dignity as possible 'to its examinations,' and 'academic distinction to the degroe,' by 'securing tho services of eminent lawyers as examiners.' "The other motion was towards removing a defect of the opposite kind. In it the Senate was asked to recommend that the Judges require experience' in office work from barristers and solicitors applying for admission. And here the argument, put forward and supported by the same senator;, was to the effect that the above-mentioned examinations can be passed by means of a coaching course, without the reading of a single book 'on principles of law.' "Now, Sir, is it not pliiin that senators are for some reason hide-bound to the 'distinguished external examiner' as a theoretical principle, but that they recognise it as 'a pious fraud when applied to matters Upon which they are really experts? I would like to ask these legal members of the senate the following questions :—Do they not realise that exaltation of examination to the front rank is a direct encouragement to cramming? "Do they not =ee that unless tho jirofossor is a'crammer (which God forbid!), his students' time is likely to bo dissipated between working for him and cramming for the external examiner? "Do they not realise that the onlv chance (however poor they may think it!) of our students getting a sound University education is to induce (hem to civo undivided attention to (ho instruction and guidance of the professor, for the time thnv arc- with him?

"Finally: Ts it not clear that the only war in wbirh P/niver.-ilv education can Vie'apnrociably influenced for good is by unlimited painstaking in the choice of teachers and the rcmov.il of all conditions that inlnrfero with Ihe efficiency of their work?"