THE UNIVERSITY CHARTER.

Southland Times, Issue 1744, 23 May 1873, Page 2

THE UNIVERSITY CHARTER.

(communicated.) A great difference of opinion appears to exist as to what University system is the best for this country. Those with Anglican sympathies appear to consider thai the advantages of an University are not fully reached by granting to individual colleges the power of giving degrees ; others, however, are satisfied with this, and ask for no more. According to the Oxford and Cambridge system, the University is an association of independent educational establishments called colleges, whose working officers form a body which, amongst other things, holds examinations and confers degrees. Jf this plan, which has clearly many advantages, were to be carried out in New Zealand, there should be colleges say at Christchurch and Auckland similar to the one in Dunedin, whose teaching members would form a body which might fairly be called the New Zealand University ; but in the meantime there is only the one institution, and as it is now doing its work, and will be soon ready to present its scholars for degrees, it is claimed for it that it should be called the University of Otago. The question then evidently arises, whether in fairness to the Dunedin college, a larger institution called the New Zealand University could be established which would lead on to future collegiate development. This would seem to depend upon the answers that may be given on the following points: — Ist. "Would it be possible to secure in other places where there was yet neither work nor endowment memberß or fellows of colleges, who would have equal standing with the Dunedin professors, and not be simply nominated to fill a gap or get over a difficulty ? 2nd. If such could be found, would it be fair while they have no scholars of their own, that they should form a body to examine other men's pupils ? 3rd. What would be the difficulties in working an University with scattered colleges ? Otago no doubt deserves great praise, but Otago may become very provincial, therefore if the difficulties can be in any way got over, we believe it would be greatly for the interests of New Zealand that the charter should be given to the larger institution, which might still require before granting a degree that the usual number of terms should be kept in Dunedin, until other colleges should have been properly formed. We trust that the whole matter will be brought beforeaseleefc committee when) the General Assembly meets, and that the question will be so thoroughly investigated that there will no division of opinioa left.