96 THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 



their religious training, while enjoying all the facilities of a strong 

 university properly equipped, maintained and controlled by the 

 State. 



The University of Toronto is a compromise born of the attempt 

 of 1853, but it is a compromise that works and a compromise that has 

 passed from a delicate balancing of opposing interests, to a strong and 

 vigorous organism that is adapting itself to changing conditions and 

 growing in strength and service with the passing of the years. In the 

 Federation there is undisputed State control and State obligation; 

 there is also denominational liberty and college autonomy. The 

 University in its complexity suggests the present University of London, 

 but in the thirty-five years of its existence it has achieved a unity of 

 purpose and uniformity of method beyond the reach of London. 



The State Universities 



Whence came the idea of the State University to Canada? The 

 idea of a State university implies more than State aid. It implies 

 control by the State, and it implies an obligation on the part of the 

 State to establish colleges or universities, without regard to private 

 or Church initiative. 



From the first the State recognized an obligation to aid the 

 colleges. From the Provincial Treasury King's College, Nova Scotia, 

 received an annual grant of £400; another £500 for a building. It 

 also received an annual grant of £1000 from the Imperial Treasury. 

 The New Brunswick College received 2000 acres, an annual grant 

 of £200, and later £11,500 for buildings. For King's College, Toronto, 

 225,723 acres were set aside and an annual grant of £1000 was pro- 

 mised by the Home Government. 



Grants in aid, annual or specific, is the usual form of support 

 given by the State to universities in Great Britain, Australia, South 

 Africa and India. Colleges are regarded as the creations of the 

 Church or individual enterprise. The State expresses approval 

 through a charter, and encouragement through a grant. 



Though grants in aid imply an obligation on the part of the State 

 to assist and encourage, they do not involve the admission that the 

 State is responsible for the establishment and support of university 

 education with or without the initiative and assistance of ecclesiastical 

 or private enterprise. 



The admission of that responsibility is not traceable to the British 

 tradition. In Canada it first appeared in the Legislation establishing 

 "Free Schools." Before that the State assisted and regulated public 

 education but it did not recognize its obligation to provide the means 



