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privileged Universities, I ought to explain the way in which they obtain those privi- leges, and I cannot do better than quote the exact words of the University Statute. The University Statute says:-"Any University situated in any part of the British dominions, other than the United Kingdom, may apply to this University to be admitted to the privileges under this section of the Statute." I have avoided going into the minutiae of details, but I shall be very happy to answer any questions which members of the Conference may wish to put to me.
The EARL OF ONSLOW: I think, perhaps, the best way would be to confine our- A " from any of the selves to the discussion of "A." I should like to hear opinions on representatives of the Colonies; as to the students' privileges in Colonial Universities, and whether they have any suggestions to make.
Sir EDMUND BARTON: My lord, it seems to me that after the notice that we have had of this meeting, it is scarcely possible for some of us, at any rate, to give any real or useful assistance to the object in view at present, but some of us, perhaps, who are on the governing bodies of Universities, can give assistance in another way.
That is,
if we could get, as I hope will be the case, a report of what has been stated, we would be able to submit those reports to the governing bodies of our own Universities, with such suggestions as we are able ourselves to make to them, and they will carefully consider them, and then those views from the governing bodies of those Universities That seems to me to be could be presented to the Colonial Office for distribution. about as practical a method as we can adopt for the purpose of finding out what are the special needs of Colonial Universities, and so far as that can be done, I shall make it my duty to make these representations to the Senate of which I am a member, in the University of Sydney, and afterwards ask them to set forth fully what they con- sider to be the requirements of their Colonial University, as far as they understand them.
The EARL OF ONSLOW: I may say that a shorthand report of the proceedings is being taken, and from that I have no doubt we shall be able to compile some such document as Sir Edmund Barton foreshadows.
Mr. PEMBER REEVES (Agent General, New Zealand), I, sir, can do very little other than concur in what has fallen from Sir Edmund Barton. With regard to the University of New Zealand, of course, their interest in this would hardly come in under the division "A," inasmuch as they do not desire, I think, greatly to encourage the coming home of students who have had no University training in the Colonies. They do not desire very much, to encourage them to come home, to take an ordinary University Degree here, and go through But when we come to "B" and "C," the the ordinary University career. position is different, and I should imagine that they will be very interested in these, and would like to give them a full and careful consideration, and they would probably have proposals to make. Unfortunately one may have one's own ideas, and I should be probably wasting your time, therefore, if I did express opinions except with regard to the second and third class of students. I refer, of course, to those who come at those ages between 21 and 23, and 22 and 25, who come home for the purpose of special or research studies. That we do want to encourage that idea may be taken for granted.
Mr. R. RUSSELL (Superintendent of Education, Natal). As a preliminary prac- tical measure, sir, I should like to suggest, with the view of affording light on the subject to the different Colonies, that the Hebdomadal Council should cause to be drawn up a concise memorandum, setting forth first, the various schools in which the Degree of B.A. could be obtained at Oxford; second, the minimum period of residence necessary for obtaining such a Degree, and the amount of University fees chargeable during such period; third, what exemptions or concessions are made to Colonial students who have passed all or any of the examinations prescribed by the privileged Universities; and fourth, such details as are available concerning the average cost of reasonable maintenance in Oxford for a term. I would also suggest, sir, that Colonial scholars be granted such of the privileges now enjoyed by English scholars and exhibitors as the Hebdomadal Council may think fit. In this connec-
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tion, Colonial scholars might be permitted to wear the gown, which is, at present, I believe, a monopoly of English students. I merely throw out these suggestions because we want a little light in the Colonies as to what the Oxford University is prepared to do. Then would, in any circumstances, students from Colonies be
allowed to enter as unattached students of the Universities? If the first of these suggestions be adopted, then I would recommend the insertion of the memorandum as a Government Notice in the official "Gazettes," in the several Colonies, or some other authorised publication not less than twice a year, and any alterations in the curricu- lum might be notified by the University authorities to the Governments concerned from time to time. My object in throwing out these suggestions is that we want, as I think, and as I have said, more light on the subject. At present, as I have remarked, we are groping rather in the dark, and when any question comes up, we have to send home for information, and receive a reply back, and that takes a considerable time. If we were able in the different Colonies to have something authoritative as to what the University of Oxford is prepared to do, and what we may expect them to give to Colonial students, I think it would be a step in the right direction.
Mr. Principal PETERSON (McGill University, Canada): However informal this conversation may be, I am quite sure it will result in immediate good, if the points raised by those who are not so conversant with the circumstances are met immediately by the University. I am instructed by the Premier of the Dominion of Canada, and Lord Strathcona, to represent Canada at this Conference, and I have no hesitation in saying that there is, perhaps, no one present who has a greater appreciation of the advantages of the curriculum which the University of Oxford can offer to Colonial students than myself. And however much we may feel inclined to grudge to the University of Oxford our best students, the mere fact of that magnifi- cent bequest which has recently been given in the interests of Colonial students, is, I think, enough to reconcile us to a certain annual loss. The point under the heading "A" to which I should like to draw particular attention is the fact that the number of Colonial students who have voluntarily, after school age, taken up residence at Oxford, is considerably larger than the number of students who are induced to come to Oxford by the attraction of a shortened period of residence. That is, to my mind, an outstanding proof of the fact, that the advantages of one kind and another which Oxford is able to offer are fully appreciated. A considerable body of Colonial students go up annually on exactly the same terms as English students, whereas of the other class there are about five, if I read this paper rightly. I may explain that this paper only came into my hands fast night, and I am giving rather the impression I have gathered from my experience of recent years rather than in connection with this paper. But if that is so, we must also remember in the Colonies that the number of those who voluntarily choose Oxford after school age, without the attractions of this shortened period of residence, will be increased by the offer made to them by the Rhodes Trustees, unless the Rhodes Trustees can be influenced, as I think it is quite possible to influence them, to restrict the endowment to Colonial students who shall have passed, say, two years in residence at their Colonial University, before taking advantage of the Rhodes' bequest. For myself, I want to say that that is a point of view which I hold very emphatically, and I hope shall have some opportunity of impressing on the Rhodes Trustees. And then I should also like to impress it upon the University of Oxford. I do not want to say a word upon a large aspect of that bequest, which has nothing to do with the representatives of British institutions here, but as the next-door neighbour of the United States of America, I feel perfectly confident that the same policy should be pur- sued there. I do not think any general school education on the American continent leads naturally up to the University of Oxford, and I should be far more confident of the success of this vast experiment if some security were taken that the Rhodes' scholars enjoyed first a residence of at least two years in a University naturally attached to the district from which they come. I think that might reconcile what may appear at first sight to be divergent views in this matter, and give the Rhodes Trustees a security that their representatives at Oxford will at once be welcomed as being up to the standard which the University has, I think, a right to expect. This Conference points to some activity on the part of the Oxford University authorities in endeavour- ing to answer in their own minds this natural enquiry coming from the representatives of the Colonies; what is it that Oxford has particularly to offer to Colonial students?