University for Whom?

New Zealand Listener, Volume 19, Issue 483, 24 September 1948, Page 9

University for Whom?

HE discussion from 4YA, "Do Too '" Many People Go to the University?" provided listeners with two opposing

viewpoints-affirmative, Professor R. A. Gabriel; negative, Marianne Fillenz and Dorian Saker. The speakers’ arguments were not, however, as completely black-and-white as this might indicate. The two representatives of the "no" side of the argument were prepared to con-

cede the necessity for more staff at the University, and for more intensive study in preparation for entering the University on the part of most of the in-

tending students; but they maintained the necessity of allowing all who wished to attend the University to do so, provided that they satisfied the minimum requirements of entrance standard. Professor Gabriel presented what sounded like a stronger case, although this may have been the result of his method of presenting that case, which he did in a telling manner with a deal of dry humour. His presentation of a specimen conversation between two imaginary but representative students was a small masterpiece, His main point.was that the dull students, unless the lecturer is hard-hearted enough to ignore them, will tend to retard the brilliant ones. Although a radio discussion is far from being a solution of such problems, it plays its part in the public airing of them. Thorny problems will never be adequately solved unless enough people become interested in them.