660 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION J. 



3. There would on the certificates of the degrees be the same 

 watermark traceable which all would know, all recognise, and all 

 hold in due and proper estimation. We cannot manufacture an- 

 tiquities ; traditions are the growth of time. We cannot expect 

 that the degrees of Australian universities shall have that prestige 

 which attaches to a long history and a glorious succession, but if 

 corporate action in this matter were agreed to the value of an 

 Australian degree would rise 50 per cent, in value. 



4. That a clear and definite value should mark all degrees is 

 desirable, but that honor of degrees should be so marked is 

 essential. It may be taken for granted that in the future the 

 chairs in the universities will be filled by Australians, and that a 

 great many other influential posts which are now filled by gentle- 

 men from older countries will also look to the Australian rmi- 

 versities for their supply. A common standard and a common 

 register should be fixed and made so that it may be known at once 

 what a man's qualifications for any given position really are. That 

 there should be a single honor list for all Australia, a list which 

 might suppl}^ the place to Young Australia of the famous class 

 lists of Oxford and Cambridge, would be a distinct incentive to the 

 noblest of our youth, and if Fame be 



The spur that the clear spirit doth raise 

 To scorn delights and live laborious days 



then we should have in course of time in these class lists a 

 roll of honor, which would be likely to fire the imagination of the 

 young Australian and teach him that there are other things worthy 

 of his ambition than kicking goals and making " centuries," and it 

 might be then expected that a larger proportion of our youth 

 would devote themselves to the cultivation of some one or other of 

 the Muses. Were Australia by tl)is action able to stamp her 

 graduates with the broad seal of honor so clearly and indelibly as 

 to be recognised and acknowledged by all, we should not find so 

 many instances of men who have taken their degrees jiroceeding 

 to England for the purpose of obtaining the same degree there. 



That there should be a common standard and a common exami- 

 nation for what are known as the higher degrees is equally clear. 

 The doctorate of science, or of laws, or of letters, should not 

 be readily granted or easily obtainable ; it would be possible for 

 any one of the three universities to so alter the regulations as 

 to make the doctorate a po«s asinorum, and we might be almost 

 dazzled by the frequent displays of scarlet and crimson ; and as by 

 Her Majesty's charter these degrees pass current through the 

 Empire, such action taken by any university would be a distinct 

 wrong to those whose degrees were conferred by those who held 

 a correct view of the functions and dignity of the doctorate I do 

 not say that this is likely to be done by any, but it is possible, and 

 so far as it is possible it serves to strengthen my advocacy. 



