ALIEN SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2981, 19 January 1917, Page 4

ALIEN SCHOLARSHIP CANDIDATES

SHOULD THEY BE BARRED IN NEW ZEALAND?

DEBATE AT UNIVERSITY • SENATE

A QUID PRO QUO

Bv TclotrraiA Snccial Corrcepondent. . Auckland, January 18. The question as to whether aliens shall bo eligible- to hold scholarships at the disposal of tho University of New Zealand was discussed by the Senate tonda-y. Tho matter was introduced by a recommendation from thai Board of Studies.- which, was moved by Professor H. AV. Scgar,_as follows:— ; "That only British subjects shall be eligible for University and other scholarships." Professor Spgar said that r.heii students who o*ed no obligation, and gave no services to the State, should not be allowed to receive the emolunioiits of a. scholarship. _ The motion was seconded by Professor Benhani. , . Professor T. A. Hunter said he considered that the Senate should adopt) the principle laid down by the Court of Convocation recently, and Eβ moved: "That it is -unwise for the University to bind itself to exclndo from scholarships all persons other than British subjects." ' Hβ. - wont on to say .that JSntistt people, including many New Zealaiiders, received the advantages of acadoraic instruction provided in other countrieß. . "... .. Professor Scgar: Advantages from scholarships ? Professor Hunter :No. . Professor Segar: That is the point—♦ advantages only by paying. Professor Hunter went on to say that it was a narrow idea lo lestncb tho selection of persons to whom scholarships should be available. After all, tho improvement of the eduction, of ono individual in the eomntunit? would tond to benefit the whole country If reprisals were adopted by othev countries and British children debarred, who would eventually suffer. ■ Tlio hates and animosities brought .boat ■»• the result ol the . present deplorablo war struggle should not be allowed to interfere with the education of the world.

•: Traditional principles.... Mr. Von Haasfc seconded the amendment. Hβ said that if tlie Senate adopted tho motion it.would not be "iving free play to the g/eat traditional principles of tl.o British Empire. Ho was of - the. opinion that no ono should hold a. scholarship who did not give Ins services to the State, but people should be encouraged to become citizens of the SJ K the Senate excluded aliens from the benefits attaching to scholarships and education, it would bB Penalism* certain races with, whom Bntam w"s"now intimately allied, and who had been endeavouring; to Rcfc-free from tho thraldom of the present ahemenemios. "If a Belgian came to New Zealand, he said, "and was., serving a period or probation, preparatory 4o being naturalised, then his'children would not be able to enjoy to the full the educational privilege of this country. , Professor Kirk said that the motion was not worthy of the British tradi"rhe Rev. A. Cameron suggested-that in the meantime the restrictions should apply only to alien enemies of New Zealand. The motion would penalise Britain's Allies, as well as alien enemies. j Professor Segar said that the tendency of the debate was quite foreign to what the motion was aiming at.. It was not suggested that aliens should bo excluded from entering the New Zealand University. The question was: Are we going to clothe and feed them by giving them scholarships? The Rev. A. Cameron: \Y e have fought with<3?reneh, Russians, Italians, and others. Are we now going to shut the door in. their faces by refusing them the privileges of our educational system? What will it probably amount to ? Perhaps 0110 scholarship in five years. Sir Robert Stout (tlio Chancellor) said that the Senate should certainly not grant, a scholarship to an alien enemy. (Hear, hear.) Professor Hunter's amendment meant neither one thins nor another. It had nothing binding about it. The Senate musrt say boforea candidate sat whether, it would allow him or her to hold a scholarship. Tho Senate should lay down a general rule. Another Amendment. Dr. Marshall said that it was reasonable to restrict an alien person from holding a scholarsliip if that alien had had an opportunity of being naturalised and had refused to bo naturalised. Ho moved as'another amendment:

"That all, students who, baring: had tho opportunity of being naturalised, havo refused to bo naturalised, or who have refused to render such services to tho State as other subjects Tender, should not bo capablo of obtaining scholarships." Tho Rev. A. Camoron: How would that apply to a lady? Supposing it was a girl under naturalisation age? Dr. Marshall: Obviously she would be eligible. Professor Malcolm seconded the amendment. Mr. H. H. Ostler said bo was wholly in favour of the .motion. An afien could not vote here, 'and as there wore only a few scholarships availablp, why should any ono be given to an alien? Professor Seear paid that the number of scholarships was limited." If one was (liven lo an alien, it would mean that a British ohJld was kept out. There was great difference between simply admitting a foreigner to tho university, and endowing him. " Professor Chilton siioke in favour of tho motion, and eventually it was lost by 16 votes to six. Professor's Hunter's.amendment was also noiativcd by 13 votes to nine. Dr. Marshall's amendment was then carried,on the voices.