PM Transcripts

AUSTRALIAN _ UIThrR3rL IESCO1% tY1ISSI =, L
SPEECH BY THE PRIME MINISTER. ' THE RT. HON. R. G, MENZIES
IN THE HOUSE ' OF . PRESENTATIVE3
This, as honourable members will see, is a simple bill.
Up to now, the Australian Universities Commission has consisted
of five members. One of them, a very notable Australian
scientist, Sir Leslie Martin, is the full-time chairman. The
other four are part-time members. They are Professor N. S.
Bayliss of the University of Western Australia, Professor
A. D. Trendall of the Australian National University, Sir Kenneth
Wills of Adelaide and Dr. J. Vernon, a well known businessman of
Sydney. The commission has undoubtedly devoted a great deal of
time to its work and has, I think, served the country with very
great distinction. But the university problem is developing very
rapidly. New universities, such as Monash in Victoria, are
coming into existence and there is increasing pressure to have
medical schools established in those new universities. One can
understand that very well. It occurred to us that, under these
circumstances, it would be very desirable to add to the
strength of the commission a membjr who would be familiar with
the problems of medical schools and with their administration.
No current member of the commission has special qualities of that
kind. We believe that if we can get a first-class man,
authoritative in medical schools and their work, this will be of
tremendous assistance to the commission when examining and forming
judgment upon claims that are made. This means, of course, that
we will be adding to the strength of the commission one more
member who might be regarded, classifying them broadly, as an
academic member. Under these circumstances, the Government feels that it
is desirable in order to preserve the general balance in this
commission, to add one further member experienced in business and
financial matters. The commission will then number seven, six of
the members being part-time and one of them, the chairman, being
continually at work. I do not . want to occupy the time of the
House by reminding members that the Universities Coimmission, by
its recommendations, following upon inv.; stigations and
consultations, has already been able to do a great deal of good
for the university system in Australia. As we all want to see
. that work 6ontirv', e1, and as we. warnnt to see more opportunities
' for people to have the b. nofit of u. ivritcy iz., lhave,.. no.
doubt that honourale membors will agree with to proposd
increase ia the membership of the commission.