59
1.—13 a.
P. G. MOKGAN.J
151. But suppose a good " coach " is in existence to prepare students for examinations, might not the question of competition enter into the case as between him ami the University professor, ami would it not in that case be wise to let the professor have the fees? — 1 do not think that is a veiv desirable kind of stimulus to apply to the professor. 152. That is really answered by the reply you gave to the previous question? —Yes. 153. Mr. Alien.\ With regard to the hooks in the University libraries: could you get books if you wanted them? —I could get them on application to the Registrar, hut very often the Registrar was out, and I could not get them because the doors were locked. 154. Do you know why they were locked? —Because the books were taken out and kept. 1.")."). They were stolen? —Yes. 156. They were locked up as a precautionary measure? —Yes. There was no librarian.
Thursday, 28th Septbmbbb, 1911 Sir Robert Stout, K.C.M.G., Chancellor of the University of New Zealand, attended and made a statement. (No. 17.) Sir Robert Stout: I accept the invitation of the Committee to make a statement regarding university education in New Zealand. In doing so 1 speak only for myself. 1 have no authority to speak'on behalf of the Senate of the New Zealand University. 1 understand that the Committee is considering a petition of certain professors of Victoria College, and 1 assume that the pamphlet prepared by three of the petitioners has been laid before the Committee. It states, 1 understand, the views of an association formed in Wellington called the " New Zealand University Reform Association." I am glad, however, to learn from the pamphlet itself that the members of the Reform Association are not responsible for the statements in the pamphlet. The pamphlet contains many misrepresentations, many inaccurate statements, and some statements in very questionable taste. Let me give some examples of what I refer to. On pages 45 and 46 the following appears : " The University of New Zealand has laid all possible stress upon examinations. Its schemes of study have been drawn up in reference to examinations conducted m Great Britain. The question of training young New-Zealanders to deal scientifically with local problems in agriculture, industry, economics, and government has been left aside, and tke eupremelv important problems of* securing desirable university teachers has been treated as of less importance than securing good examiners. The methods adopted have been haphazard, and are not in accordance either with the practice of most universities or with the recommendations of any authority who offers his advice on this point, It is quite true that under these conditions a small number' of first-rate men have been associated with university teaching in New Zealand, such as Geofirej Parker, Yon Haast, Hutton, Ulrich, Tucker, Maclaurin, Dendy, and J. W. Salniond and that a number of others, though not of equal distinction witli these, have been competent teachers and investigators BUCh as other universities might be willing to employ; but very many have not and one palpable result of this fact is that the Senate insists on retaining the purely external method of examinations, justifiable only on the ground that the teachers have been untrustworthy " It is entirely untrue that the schemes of study have been drawn up with reference to examinations conducted in Great Britain. To begin with, the medical examinations are conducted in New Zealand. Most of the law examinations are conducted in New Zealand, ■uid several other examinations are conducted in New Zealand. In the second place, the schemes of study were drawn up in order that there might be co-ordination in the teaching in the various colleges and, further, the schemes were drawn up by professors who had as much knowledge of universities as any of the three pamphleteers. Again, the question of training New-Zealanders to deal scientifically with local problems in industry, economics, and government has not been left aside The University «i New Zealand is not a teaching body. It has only to deal with the awarding of scholarships and the granting of degrees. If, therefore, attention lias not been paid to the practical questions mentioned, the blame does not rest with the New Zealand University. It is incorrect however, to say that attention has not been paid to agriculture, industry, economics, and government Many students have studied these questions. The New Zealand University was one of the first universities to make agriculture a subject for a degree, and its honours examinations in Boienoe provide for theses on scientific subjects, and in its highest literary degree, as well 'is in its highest law degree, original work has to be done before the degree is conferred. Economics chemistry, mental science are in its syllabus, and the problems of politics or governmenl C an only, in my opinion, be approached in a scientific manner through philosophy and ethics One student obtained his degree of Doctor of Literature on a very valuable thesis which he had composed dealing with one phase of social life in the Dominion. The University has nothing to <lo with the appointment of professors, and therefore that question has never come before it for consideration. It is outside its jurisdiction. What is meant by stating that its methods have been haphazard I am at a loss to understand. If the sentence means that it has nroceeded in fixing schemes of study without consulting the professors of the various subjects, then that is entirely incorrect. No scheme of studies has ever been drawn up without taking the idvice of the professors in the subjects. The sentence dealing with the classification of past professors into first-rate men and those not first-rate men is not only in bad taste, but is impertinent ■md incorrect The fact is that some of the most inspiring teachers that have been in the University are not named, and they are classed as not of equal distinction with those who are named. I ina'v mention the names af "Aldis, Mainwaring Brown, Macinillan Brown, Macgregor, and Sale; md there are others T believe that the pamphleteers never heard those whose names I have n.entioned lecturing, except perhaps Professor Hunter, who may have heard Professor Sale; and they know nothing of some of the professors whose names they mention, and they are consequently
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