UNIVERSITY NEEDS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 303, 18 September 1919, Page 5

UNIVERSITY NEEDS

OTAGO MEDICAL SCHOOL

GIFTS AND BEQUESTS

Itcprty Mtattves of tho Otago University interviewed the Minister of Education (Sir Francis Bell) yesterday morning, to ask for the assistance of the Government in a big building programme, and also in the strengthening of the staff of the medical school, anil the increasing of salaries. The deputation consisted of the Chancellor, of Otngo University (Dr. Andrew Cameron) nnd the head of tho Medical School (Dr. L. Ferguson). It was supported by Sir J times Allen, Mr. W. Downie Stewart, Mr. T. K.- Sidey, and Mi , ., C. E. Stathnm. The Director of Education (Dr. Anderson) was present. . Mr. Downie Stewart urged that the requests made Jby the deputation were of pressing importance. The university was in need of immediate assistance in order that its work niisht be conducted under satisfactory conditions. / The Chancellor said there was immediate and urgent need for the increasing of the annna? income of the university by some £15,000 a year. The average salary of the professors at present was only'.£Boo, and an increase to JGICOO was m'cWsary in order that' the Medical School might not be at a grave disadvantage compared with simffiar. institutions in other parts of the world. Another urgent matter was the provision of adequate assistance for the professors at the Medical School, in order that they might h-> able to undertake research work in !•'" niiblic interest. An expenditure, of c' ••■•» .-PIOO.ODD was required for building '•• ' ■••iid, particularly in connection with I!" Medical School. ■ ' Dr. Fergu=on urged that the Medical Rclinof. ouirht to fe> regarded as a natiotial institution. It had trained about half the medical men now practising in the country, and the demands urtnn its services were growing constantly. Tho institution was training its_ students under serious disadvantages owing to the lack of accommodation. Sir Franeia I3ell. in reply, said that the deputation had come a little Into. The proposals of the Gorernment with .regard to universities and schools had been settled by the Government for this ypar between the Finance Minister and himself. They were" now embodied in Bills. "I believe that when you pee the proposal? you will not abuse us," said t!iu Minister. "I urn not going to say ft single word more thnn that about them, and I do not think that Sir James AlMen will fay anything. It would not Ik proper tl'at wo should make any statement'now. We have heard what you have had to say. We have laid down certain financial provisions which are to be brought in with the Financial Statement, and there will bo no alteration. You will be able to seo exnetly what was proposed before your deputation renclied us, and whether it does not give you thp chance you seek." ; The deputation" raised the question of a Government subsidy on bequests. The matter had been msntioncd to tho Minister earlier. Sir Francis 801 l said lie had toned the propoi-'ffl! dowii. would not make tin , , proposition to the Minister for Finance. "If yon want enoh subsidies leniplnted for," added th» Minister, "you will hiive to get rid of the nrcsont Tr?a- ---■ surer ■ f>ixl th* present Minister of Education, We cannot 'leave it in the power of fiiiyono to ruin us by a series of endowWnts anil bequest-. If people give to the university in their V\c-,, thev will rfiire the benefit themselves, and they will get a Government subsidy. .'lf thev wait until they are (lend to ninko tti o Jr (rifts, the university wil,l got the benefit, but there will ha no subsidy. T nm not ■in f-ivp'H , of piibsulisino: liMrtiPsfs." Tho. Cioncfflor. snid unfortunate-many ppopl? did not.nnnTci.it"- the difference bH'veo-i jTj-fts nnd btmuests. Sir Fifncis Ticll nnrßPstod l-h-it the university s'lotiltl rH nlmnt the education of the public on the point.