E.—7a

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joint Schools of Divinity, in which two or more theological colleges combined for the purpose of the degree, or by the strengthening of individual colleges. We are, of course, aware that in many countries the question of providing for degrees in divinity has been decided upon grounds other than purely educational ones. We consider that our duty is to give a recommendation based upon educational principle, and, as we have stated above, we believe that no subject of study which is based upon the pursuit of knowledge by free and unfettered inquiry should be banned by a true university. THE STUDENTS IN THEIR RELATION TO THE COLLEGES. We are of opinion that the organization of the University should contain provision for the representation of the students upon the governing body of the colleges, and that provision should be made for the election of one such representative on the Council of each College. In a University where opportunities for student activities abound and are made use of, the students gain from participation in the corporate life of the social club and playing-field, no less than from the intellectual life of the class-room. Student organizations are nowadays recognized as an important, and indeed vital, part of the university organization, and throughout the various university societies teacher and student mingle freely. The Students' Representative Council, which originated in Scotland in 1884 at the tercentenary of the Edinburgh University, has now spread through British and Australian universities. It has a definite standing in the university organization, and is provided for in the university statutes. It is the recognized means of communication between the students and the university authorities. Its chief objects should be to represent the students in matters affecting their interests, to foster their social life, to promote intercourse between the various schools and colleges of the university, and to organize all general gatherings of students at college functions and take such steps as may be necessary to secure good order and seemly behaviour. fn some universities power is given to the Students' Representative Council under the regulations of the university to impose a fine upon students offending at college or university functions. We consider that the member elected to represent the students on the Council of the college, who should be not less than twenty-one years of age, should be elected by the Students' Representative Council of the college. The Students' Representative Council should further have the right to petition the Professorial Board of the college upon any matter affecting the teaching or discipline of the college, and the Board should either deal finally with the matter or refer it for decision to the Council. It should also have the right to petition the Council of the college on any other matter affecting their position as students of the college. Under the system of part-time attendance and of evening lectures which obtains in New Zealand the opportunities for developing the corporate life of the colleges are comparatively few. It is, therefore, very gratifying to find that so much has been done despite the handicaps under which such activities suffer. From our own observation, indeed, it is clear that the colleges possess abundant material for a strong corporate student life. At Dunedin we had, during the Capping Ceremony festivities, striking evidence of the organizing ability of the students' societies and of talent of no mean order ; at Victoria College we were present at a meeting of the Debating Society, which showed both vigour and ability. The erection of the gymnasium, which forms a sort of Students' Union at Victoria College and in which the debate was held, was largely due to the initiative and enterprise of the students, and its use is controlled by them. There was evidence, too, of similar activities at Auckland and Canterbury. The keen desire of the students themselves for a wider and fuller university life was represented to us, with much ability and in a convincing manner, by all the student witnesses who appeared. They laid special stress on the urgent need of hostels, of a Students' Union, and of more adequate playing-fields. Common residence is specially distinctive of the old English university life, but has been less developed on the Continent and in Scotland, where the ideal has been rather

Students' Representative on College Councils.

Students' Representative Council part of University organization.

Privileges accorded to Students' Representative Council.

Student activities in New Zealand.

Urgent need for residental hostels.