NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY

Evening Star, Issue 19792, 16 February 1928, Page 11

NEW ZEALAND UNIVERSITY

ANNUAL MEETING'OF COUNCIL DISORDERLY STUDENTS AT DEBATE MR FOWLDS, CALLS IT A “ PIG GARDEN.” . (Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, February 15. At the annual meeting of the Council of the New Zealand University today the Chancellor (Professor MacMillan Brown) said he could not see that it was necessary to have a salaried official as principal of the university. It was suggested that he should have certain duties as inspector of colleges. The Chancellor objected very strongly to this, as it was likely to lead to friction among the colleges, and might lead to further centralised control, to which he was strongly opposed. The reasons for the results of certain examinations being announced late were discussed in committee, but a motion was carried in open meeting asking that where an examiner found he was unable to mark his papers he should notify the head examiner immediately, so that the authorities might appoint a substitute without delay. The question of making provision to grant degrees in theology was raised by Mr T. K. Si (Icy, who moved—“ That the council authorise the committee to take evidence on the proposal.”—Professor Hunter characterised the proposal as a waste of time.' The matter had been well discussed before the University Commission, and it was decided to take no action. —The motion was agreed to.—Professor Hunter then moved—“ That no expense for the taking of evidence be borne by the university.”—Mr Strong, _ Director _ of Education, said the motion, if carried, would prevent the committee from operating.—Mr Do La Mere also protested against the spending of money on a question which experience had already shown was one purely or opinion.—lt was decided that no expense be incurred in collecting evidence on the subject. “DISORDER AT PUBLIC FUNCTIONS.”

A letter from the Minister of Education (Mr R. A. Wright), stating that “ recent examples of disorder among university students at public functions and at public places have aroused a good deal of comment, was read. , . Professor Segar; I move that the letter bo received as qot calling ioi further action. . Messrs Morrell and feidey (Dunedin) gave Otago students a testimonial, sayincr that their conduct was not such as to require disciplinary action. Mr G. Fowlds spoke similarly of Auckland students. He said the letter had reference probably to the conduct at last university tournament in Auckland, where students of all colleges had been present, and to incidents on 11 io students’ journey south and the Christchurch Railway Station. The conduct at the tournament debate was a disgrace, and he believed future debates would be held in the presence of judges alone. Professor MacMillan Brown; It was a bear garden. Mr Fowlds: Worse. It was a pig garden. He thought that joint action by professorial boards would prevent future occurrences of the kind. . Professor Hunter said it wmg unlair to blame the professors. They could not prevent the holding of tournaProfessor Segar said 1 hey could never get anv help from the students themselves in-discovering the offenders. Some of the students were not total abstainers, but ho .had been at university debates which had been like church services. . , The letter was received, and it was decided to inform the Minister that the college boards had the matter well in hand. _____