THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10061, 1 February 1909, Page 4

THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS.

(Per Press Association.) Auckland, January 31.

This morning Mr E. E. Banme, M.P. ; moved at the University Senate—That the senate of the University of Xew Zealand is of opinion that it- would be in accordance with the. views held and expressed by the lato Right- Hon. Cecil Rhodes if the ages were altered to 21 vears maximum and 18 minimum. Mr Baume said that there had been a great number of different opinions expressed as to the value of the Rhodes scholarships and the effect- upon the people who won them and went to Oxford. The ages at present were 19 to 25. The average age was 21 or 22. It seemed that the age limits were too high. It- woidd mean then that the winners would enter Oxford at- a very ordinary age. The object of the scholarships was not- that- students should go to Oxford to pursue postgraduate work, but a wider, an Imperial object. The real object would be more readily obtained if younger students were sent." Professor Salmond seconded the motion. The advantages attached to the scholarships were great—three years at Oxford and in Europe, and plenty of money. Then these young men found themselves stranded. The three years led to nothing—and the students had not learnt a profession. Sir Robert. Stout said that he would not- ask Mr Baume to withdraw the motion, but it savored of impudence for the senate to tell the trustees of Oxford how to interpret Mr Rhodes' will. Was it a proper thing to come from the senate when they had not been, asked - They had taken up an attitude which no other university in the world had taken up. It had been recognised as a benefit t-o have the older students and the post-graduate work. Why should the senate volunteer an interpretation when it had not been -asked? Why should itwant to send grammer school boys who had not had any university training'/ Professor G. M. Brown hoped the motion would lie withdrawn. Replying to the charge of impudence, Mr Baume said that he was not acting on his own initiative, but on the recommendation of the Secondary Schools Conference. The motion was lost by 13 to 7 votes.