UNIVERSITY COMMISSION

Hokitika Guardian, 4 August 1925, Page 2

UNIVERSITY COMMISSION

[bv TV.LItORArn —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, Aug. 3. At the sitting of the University Commission, to-day the difficulties lining denominational schools were -el out by Rev T. A. Gilbert, Hector of St. Patrick’s College, who pointed out that in some eases parents had to pay twice because of their religion. He urged that free places and scholarships should be made tenable at registered private schools, even in the interests of University education. Tiie law of the land ruled that secondary education should be secular. It allowed teaching religion in its own schools, and it should not penalise teaching religion in private schools by with-hold-ing scholarships and free places. In some Australla'u Slates, this request bad been recognised lor years, and maiiv of the must brilliant university students had been products of the sys-

I'urther eondeiiinalion of matriculation examinations, and a suggestion for co-ordination in tbc accrediting system, whereby credit should be given equally freely to beads ol private schools were made by bather Gilbert, who stated that the matriculation examination granted a passport to students of immature mind and unripened judgment. The policy of bis school was to deter Mulleins Irom attending University until at least a year ban been spent in post-matriculation work. Cram left the tastes uncultured. .Matriculation was a convenient and serviceable finishing examination to a lew vears at a secondary school, nothing more, aml it found an ally in the public service and intermediate examinations. AVbat was needed was co-or-dination between the School. Department and University. These schools cost the State nothing. They helped to pci’iwuinte hallowed traditions in a young land. yet. they hate no diiist voice, and no representation where subjects bearing on the general education policy of a country are concerned. Co-operation would make possible me abolition of the examination sysiem. and its replacement by a more equitable system of accrediting. A system of “in credits” to free places at State Schools would be equally acceptable in regal’d to University, and the word of a. headmaster of' a private school should be taken, where expenditure of no public money was invoiced.

divinity degrees. WELLINGTON. Aug. 3. At, tbo University Commission, evidence regarding the desirable course t„ |,e pursued in eonleiring divinity degrees was given by Revs. Dr Pinfold and F. K .Harry, who supported the conferring of degrees by tbc l niversitv. A high standard ot degree was asked as representing the needs of the Anglican. Presbyterian. Methodist. Baptist and Congregational Churches. [i W as desirable that young men wlm went Home for degrees at present, should be retained in tlm Dominion, it its advantage. The University shntilc allow Now Zealand to obtain full equipment for all legitimate occupations in their own country. Moreover. the public did nut understand, o 1 appreciate a degree conferred <0 Church training colleges as it would ■ University degree. If the Commissior decided against the conferring nl decrees bv Ibe Univer-itv. it was asko<: to recommend that tile churches ot New Zealand be empowered by Act ol Parliament to grant, through a eollcgi of divinity, the D.l>. and D.D. Do Evidence was placed before the Com mission by C. W • Kerry. \ ice-I I ‘‘si dent of the New Zealand Society "I Professional Teachers of Music. lie opinions ol the Association wuio t.ia music should be an optional subject l«i the BA. degrees as at Cambridge and elsewhere ill England. Provlsim should be made at every centre lo lectures in music, as at present. line-ton was the only centre m wind sneb provision was nol made.