PROTECTION OF RIGHTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 5 October 1939, Page 6

PROTECTION OF RIGHTS

STUDENTS ON ACTIVE SERVICE. ATTEMPT TO AVOID PAST MISTAKES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The rights of university students who undertake war service are protected by a clause in the Statutes Amendment Bill, which was passed in the House of Representatives last night. The clause empowers the Senate of the University of New Zealand to confer diplomas, scholarships, degrees and bursaries on students who are on war service notwithstanding that certain requirements have not been met. Mr Coates (Opposition, Kaipara) expressed the hope that every endeavour would be made to avoid mistakes made during the last war, when, men who had been away on active service found themselves seriously prejudiced on their return to civil life. “Last time, in spite of what Parliament tried to do, these men did not get an equal start when they came back,’’ Mr Coates said. “I would like the Acting-Prime Minister to look into the question and see if it is possible to avoid the mistakes of the past.” Mr Fraser said he would be very pleased to do that, and any improvements members could suggest would be very welcome. The University Senate had been consulted in the drafting of the clause, and was anxious that the rights of students should be protected.