New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1874.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4157, 17 July 1874, Page 2

New Zealand Times. FRIDAY, JULY 17, 1874.

When the Legislature passed the Act to establish a University in New Zealand “ to promote sound learning,” there was but little reason to anticipate the obstacles that have since been thrown in the way of giving full effect to the laudable intention. There seemed so general an agreement as to the need of supplying means for obtaining 'education of tho highest class, that more local jealousies might have been expected for once to give way, so as to permit the foundation of a truly Colonial Institution. At tho very outset it was objected that the University ought to bo a teaching as well as an examining body, and have some fixed habitation whore a staff of professors should bo placed, lectures given, and classes conducted. Those especially who had derived their ideas from tho practice in Scotland, failed to realise the advantage of keeping separate those who taught from those appointed to test tho results of their teaching. Having always soon both these functions exorcised within the walls of tho same institution, it had never occurred to them -that tho judgment of men entirely independent must bo the most valuable, especially when they had the opportunity of comparing the work

done in the same branches of learning by different Colleges. Some plea may fairly bo put in for the action taken by the friends of the Otago University, as the Act clearly contemplated tho probability of that institution becoming the University of New Zealand. No doubt exceedingly good work had been done at Dunedin, and it would have .been most undesirable to take away any useful power. Still, to have converted that into the Colonial University would have virtually confined all higher teaching to one part of the Colony, and compelled parents to send their sons far from home at great expense. So much was this felt that an attempt was made to fix the seat of the New Zealand University at Auckland, the endowment to be divided between the new institution and that of Otago. Tho injustice of such a proceeding to the central parts of tho Colony was apparent ; but it was replied that other foundations could be made to supply their local wants. All this pointed far more to the propriety of maintaining a Colonial institution, the teaching bodies being affiliated, and sending their students np for examination. Whatever doubts remained as to the probability of obtaining authority for establishing several Universities in a country possessing a very small population, so far as respected the one important and, indeed, essential power of granting degrees, were ended when the despatchof Lord Kimberley was received. It was then distinctly intimated that such authority would not be given to more than one college in the Colony. The wisdom of this decision must be apparent to all who consider what is to most persons the main object of taking a degree. It is not to gratify any feeling of personal pride, or to show that the requirements of a particular institution have been complied with, but rather as evidence to the outer world of the extent and accuracy of the graduate’s scholarship. Given a number of Universities, with a small population, no little doubt would exist as to the value of the certificates granted by any one. It is not the question of teaching, but the value of the test applied, that is of chief importance ; and while the character of one examining body might be favorably known in all parts of the Colony, and be appreciated outside, it would be too much to expect any fair relative estimate to be formed where two, three, or possibly four existed. These disputes retarded no little the successful working of the New Zealand University, which, aiming at taking similar ground to the London University and at having the sole power of granting degrees, offended many prejudices. There was never any intention to ignore the advantages of academic training and habits, but simply to localise them and make the examination general and uniform. After so many troubles it is satisfactory to find that at last a friendly arrangement has been made between the authorities of the New Zealand and Otago Universities, which, when affirmed by Parliament, will certainly soon be followed by the grant of a charter. Wholesome competition will be stimulated between the several teaching bodies, which will have to submit their labors to the test of one impartial Board. Whatever shortcomings may exist at one place will be more likely to be made good, when they must be compared with what is done at others, and thus by friendly rivalry the general standard of learning will be raised. Considerable difference of opinion still exists as to the disposal of lands reserved as University endowments. The zealous friends of the New Zealand University, while admitting the Colonial endowment of £3OOO per annum to be quite sufficient for present purposes, are anxious to have possession of an estate from the proceeds of which they would in future be enabled to extend their operations. It is contended, in opposition, that the reserves should be devoted to aiding the cost of teaching in the Provinces where they are situated, and there is much to be said in favor of this view. The value of permanent endowments to any public institution is questionable. They are often found to remove the governing bodies too far beyond the influence of public opinion, and to protect such glaring abuses as have been brought to light by commissions of inquiry at Home. Arguments, possibly sufficient to justify a fixed income being secured to purely local colleges, fail when they are sought to be applied to a Colonial body. It will be far better to leave the provision of funds to the liberality of Parliament, which is not likely to act grudgingly, where good work is proved to have been done. A largo amount of examination can be carried out by means of the present grant, and should the time arrive when more means are proved to be necessary, tho increase being demanded in tho interests of the whole community, it would fairly be provided out of the Consolidated Fund. Wo trust, and, in face of the agreement arrived at, believe no further difficulties will be interposed to prevent tho immediate settlement of a question on which the progress of higher intellectual culture in the Colony largely depends. A success, even remotely approaching that of tho London University, which is also entirely without any taaching staff, would be most gratifying, and must be tho aim of all concerned in tho government of what is now to bo recognised as the Colonial University.