THE UNJUDICIAL METHODS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1860, 20 September 1913, Page 13

THE UNJUDICIAL METHODS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Sir, —In a previous lotter I pointed out how necessary it is for a judicial spirit to animate all members of the Education Committee of tho House ol Representatives if its report on university education is to carry any weight, and drew attention to.Mr. G. M. Thomson's lapse from tho judicial attitude. Apparently things have gone-from had to worse.

A medical man gave evidenco before tho committee, formulating specific charges against tho administration of the Otago Medical School. Whether these charges are true or false ft is not my intention to discuss. Whether truo or false they ought to he fully and fairly investigated in tho interests of the school, of tho Dominion, and ol public morals. If they arc shown to be false, tho modical man who brings them should be made to feel public disapproval of baseless charges against a Dominion institution; if tho charges are. shown to he truo, then those responsible should have it clearly impressed on them that such a condition of affairs is to be tolerated no longer. What the charges demand is a full and imiinrlinl inquiry, at which evidence is brought to rebut tho charges and (he witnesses crossexamined so that tho truth may ap-

pear. But whnt bnppcnn? Tho H° n ' Jftmoa 'Allan, a member of the Otago

University Council, immediately rocs south to arrange with this body as to its course of action and tho evidence t-o ho tendered, and then hastens hack to Wellington to sit on tho committee to judgo the evidence. If your report of tho proceedings bo correct, thero was practically no cross-examination in tho specific charges made by the medical man. Tlie.so charges reflected on tho administration of tho - Medical School by tho Otago University Council, of which Messrs. Allen and Sidey, who sit on tho Education Committee, aro members. Surely it is not- possible iii this country that any person shall bo allowed to bo judge, jury, counsel, and defendant in an inquiry. That is practically tlio position in which Mr. Allen has placed himself.—l am, etc., THOS. A. HUNTER. Wellington, September IG.