UNIVERSITIES’ CONFERENCE.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 939, 11 July 1903, Page 2

UNIVERSITIES’ CONFERENCE.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Deceived 12.24 a.m., July 11. London, July 10. The Allied Colonial Universities’ Conference was held in the. rooms of the Eoyal Society. All British and most Colonial universities were represented. Professors Gurney, Scott, and Threefall represented Sydney, Professors Latnb, Bear, and Rev. Dr Paton represented Adelaide, and Dr. Bainford the New Zealand universities. Professor James Bryce presided. In his opening address he said it was desirable that all British Universities should increase their efficiency. by combination and specialisation. One of the functions of the Imperial Council would be to help Colonial Universites to raise their standard of teaching and research, and seoure more complete equipment. It was desirable to improve and interchange students, thus helping to Create . b, common public opinion among British people. The Rev. Professor Chase, Vice-Chancellor of the Cambridge University, moved, and Professor Peterbou, Vice-Chancellor of the McGill Uni- I versity, Montreal, seconded, a resolution that it is desirable to establish such relations between the principal Universities of the Empire as to secure special or local advantages for study, particularly of past graduate research for students throughout the Empire. Lord Kelvin, President of the Royal Sooiety of Edinburgh, said it was neecssary to make British Universities attractractive to colonial students, in order to combat the .rivalry of German and French Universities. , Sir Henry Roscoe, Vice-Chancellor of . the University of London, Sir Oliver J. Lodge, Principal of the Birmingham University, and Sir A. W. Rucker, Principal of the University of London, supported the motion. Professor Gurney heartily supported the movement, He was hopeful of the outcome of the Conference. The resolution was carried unanimously. Professor Warren, President of the St. Mary Magdalene Coliege, Oxford, moved the appointment of a Council, consisting , part of representatives of British and colo- t nial universities, to promote the objects e desired, and that a committee, consisting s of Lords Kelvin and Strathcona, Professors s Bryce, Haldane, Warren, and Chase, Pro- t fessor Sir William Huggins (the famous I astronomer), Sir Michael Foster (Professor d of Physiology at Cambridge and Secretary v of the Royal Society), Professor McHaffy, a Mr W. P. Reeves (Agent-General for New w Zealand), and Sir Gilbert Parker, be ci intrusted to arrange the constitution of u he Council. o Professor Threefall seconded the motion, tl vhich was carried unanimously. 11