The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1915. UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 22, 27 January 1915, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27, 1915. UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

One possibly controversial topic to which the Chancellor of the University of New Zealand made reference at some length in his annual report to the Senate concerns the system of awarding university scholarships, the Otago Daily Times editorially remarks, and goes on to.say; The Professorial Board of Victoria College disapproves of the awarding of these scholarships by competitive and wholly written examinations. This attitude on its part is consistent with the position taken up by the Wellington professors in endeavoring to secure the abolition of the system of external examination for New Zealand University degrees. Sir Robert Stout’s arguments in justification of the methods of awarding university scholarships by competitive written examination are characterised by his usual thoroughness, and they seem convincing enough. There is something to be said on the other side, as the Chancellor shows but the weight of evidence appears to be in favor of the present system as most satisfactorily meeting the difficulties as well as the requirements of the situation. It would certainly be foolish* to abohsn it unless any proposed substitute could bo shown to represent an improved test of eligibility and merit. There is, however, one aspect of the scholarship competition which is not satisfactory. It consists in the fact that boys and girls arc treated on an equal footing. There are good reasons why there should be a differentiation in such competitions between the standards which boys and girls are respectively expected to attain. A glance at the list of successful competitors this year for junior university scholarships will disclose the fact that it includes the name of no girl competitor. Last year the proportion of girl competitors winning junior scholarships was very small. This is not necessarily at all a reflection on the abilities of the girl students. It may, indeed, only mean that few of them compete for scholarship honors. But the lack of differentiation must either discourage gilds from coming forward as scholarship candidates, or must have a tendency to impose too great a strain on those who do present themselves. The truth of the matter is that the standard of examination for boys is such as girls of the age at which the examination has to he passed should not be expected to reach. IVledical opinion has condemned heartily enough the idea that the theory of the equality of the sexes should be translated into practice in the provision of precisely the same educational tests for boys and girls, especially at a period of life when important physiological influences are at work.