UNIVERSITY REFORM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1419, 22 April 1912, Page 7

UNIVERSITY REFORM.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

At the annual meeting of the University Reform Association, to be held at Victoria College to-morrow evening, the following report will be considered:— During the past year considerable progress 'has been marie in the work of the association.. Petition to Parliament—A petition, praying tor a Royal Commission into university education in New Zealand, was presented to Parliament by the president of the association, Mr. A. L. lterdman, II.P. The petition was referred to the Education Committee of the House of Kopre'ent&tives, which took evidence, and reported that tho cujo for reform had been established, but that the Senate appeared to be moving towards reform, and should be given air opportunity of making the necessary changes. Pamphlet; University Reform in Mew Zealand.—The committee deemed it advisable to present the whole case for. reform iu pamphlet form. The general questions were discussed at many committee meetings, and the publication of the pamphlet then left in the hands of a small sub-committee. The answers to the questions submitted by the association to authorities in Great Britain, America, and Australia were printed as an appendix to the pamphlet. The value of such a publication was shown at the inquiry before the Education Committee, and by the favourable review by tho "Condon Times," which supports the views of the association, and has effectively answered the arguments of Professor Sale and 3lr. J. \V. Joynt. Tho opinions obtained from within the Dominion were also placed before the Education Committee.

Meeting of Senate.—The annual meeting of Senate was held iu Wellington, and a Bub-committee was set up to enlighten the. public on the nature of the proposals discussed by the Senate. The notes, which were published in the daily papers, helped to arouse public interest in the meeting of the Senate and to direct attention to the urgent necessity for reform. It i« indeed gratifying to note that the Senato at length recognised that somothing must be done, and wisely agreed to summon an annual professional conference to discuss academic matters, Future Work.—The committee has considered the future action of the association, and suggests: ~,»,. (1) That the co-operation of the Victoria College Council be sought to obtain an amendment of the Victoria College Act so as to permit members of the teaching staff to occupy seats on the council. (2) That a systematic effort be made to .induce the best men to contest seats on the college councils. (3) That the importance of university reform be brought under the notice of members of Parliament. (•1) That endeavonrs be made to start Reform Associations in other centres. Finance.—The cost of tho publication of the pamphlet leaves the association with a debit balance, of some .£4O. Am effort should bo made to reduce this liability. Thanks.—Tho best thanks of the association aro duo to Sirs. Richmond Hursthouso and her pupils for a substantial contribution towards the cost of printing tho pamphlet, to tho editors of the pamphlet, to Professor Pioken for editing "University Kotos" during tho meeting of Senate, and to the editors of tho daily papers who have given the association every opportunity of stilting its case.