The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1913. THE UNIVERSITY & THE PEOPLE

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1870, 2 October 1913, Page 6

The Dominion. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1913. THE UNIVERSITY & THE PEOPLE

The report of the Education Committee of tho House of Representatives on the state of University education in New Zealand is not by any means a lengthy document, but it contains a number of suggestions of far-reaching importance regarding the administration and general efficiency of our University colleges. Dliring recent debates in Parliament on education questions, some antiEeiorm speakers seemed to think that the affairs of tho University are of interest only .to a small section of the community, and that they are receiving much more attention from the present Government than they deserve. .This is, of course, an extremely narrow and antiquated view. The functions of the University are being unceasingly extended in every progressive country, and such institutions are becoming increasingly important both as centres of culture and as factors in the practical development of industry and commerce. The University has become to a very large extent responsible for the training of our doctors, lawyers, school teachers, clergy, and scientific experts; and in this way it touches the whole life of'.the community _ at almost -evejy vital point. It is, therefore, of - the utmost importance. that it should be given every opportunity of doing the work which is expected of it in the most efficient way, and if the reforms suggested by the Education Committee should have the effect '.of placinc the University of New Zealand and its colleges on a sounder and more satisfactory working basis, 'the time which has been devoted to tho matter will have been thoroughly well spent. The present system has been so severely criticised by some of the professors and other _ experts that public confidence' in its efficiency was shaken, and a full inquiry became absolutely necessary. The matter came before the Education Committee in the form of a petition for a Royal Commission. A great deal of evidence was taken, and the recommendations _ of the committee were/made public in the report which appeared in yesterday's issue of The Dominion. Many of the advocates of reform appear to be disappointed because the Committee has not supported the request for a Royal Commission. No doubt such a method of inquiry has much to recommend it, especially if one could feel certain that it would be undertaken by the right type of men —that is to say, independent outside experts of, the highest standing,' who could be depended upon to give full weight to the special needs and conditions of the Dominion. If, however, the reformers are given a great deal of what they have been aslcing for—and they could hardly expect that everything would be conceded to them—they ne?d not trouble themselves with ■vain regrets because a Royal Commission is not to be set up. The main question is whether, and how far, the recommendations of the Committee will remedy the existing defects in our University system, and enable it to do its work more efficiently. The proposed alteration in the constitution of the Senate is certainly a ster> in the right direction. By making the Senate consist mainly of members elected by the College Councils it would be brought into closer touch with tho affiliated teaching institutions, and this' should tend to prevent a conflict of ideals in the matter of administration. Tho Government should, however, retain the right to make appointments outside the Councils of men who may possess exceptional qualifications for such a position; and in this connection it would be well to consider whether the constitution of the Councils might not be improved. Another important suggestion is the formation of a body representative of the Professorial Boards

with advisory powers in all academic matters. Such a reform would go far to meet the demands of the professors for more effective control, as far as the actual teaching methods of the colleges arc concorned. The Senate would take upon itself a fjrave responsibility if on the much-discussed question of external or internal examinations, for instance, it declined 'to accept the_ recommendations of the professorial body specially constituted to give advice on such matters. The report of the Education Committee .does not refer directly to this controversy, but leaves it to be settled by the reformed Senate, acting on tho advice of the representatives of the teaching staff. In such circumstances there can be no doubt that the very strong case which has been made out for a change in the present examination system would rcceivo very favourable consideration.

The Education Committee draws attention to the need for strengthening _ the financial position of the various colleges, so that more adequate provision can bo made for specialisation, for better library equipment, and for the prosecution of research; and in dealing with this aspect of the question the Government will have before them the recommendations contained in tho report drawn up last year by the In-spector-General of Schools regarding the financial position and requirements of each of the colleges. Until they have an assured finance, the colleges cannot be expected to do their work in a thoroughly efficient manner, and it is no use expecting them to keep abreast of tho times unless the State is prepared to pay for the necessary equipment to enable them, to do so. It is satisfactory to know that a matter of such first-class importance as the reform of our University system is in the hands of the. Hon. James Allen, who has given a great deal of time and thought to the educational requirements of the Dominion—primary, secondary, and University. He has already introduced a Bill containing the first instalment of the Government's policy as far as primary and secondary education are concerned; and now that the report of the Committee has been received, he will take the necessary steps for the formulation of his proposals for University reform. - During the present session the Opposition havo on more than one occasion discussed educational matters from the purely party standpoint. This, is a very undesirable practice, for our education system in all its departments should bo treated from the national point of view.