12 
versity and secondary schools the regulations will be modified in 
due course, and the sooner the better so as to meet new conditions, 
Any discussion in connection with education would be incom- 
plete without a reference to our University, which was founded by 
Act of Parliament in 1911, and the first lectures began on 91 st 
March, 1913. 
Before considering our own University it might be interesting 
to go back to the 12th century and notice the difference in the 
origin and development of the medieval Italian and French Uni- 
versities. The early Italian Universities started as a guild of 
students desirous of increasing their own knowledge, who com- 
bined and contributed to the salary of the lecturers, and also pro- 
vided suitable accommodation. On the other hand the French 
Universities, such as that of Paris, originated from a Society of 
Masters: men well versed in Arts and Literature, who combined 
to give a course of instruction, and provided the necessary accom- 
modation and charged fees to those students attending the classes. 
All the older European Universities followed one or other of these 
systems, and as the Universities grew in power and influence they 
were frequently the subject of great pressure from the Govern- 
ment and from the Ecclesiastical bodies, and in some instances 
Universities were stalled in opposition. 
Both these systems have undergone modifications from time 
to time. All the older English and Scottish Universities show 
distinct traces of their original prototype, Oxford and Cambridge 
belong to the French or “Master” University type, while the 
Scottish Universities clearly show their Italian or “Student” 
University origin. 
Many Universities have been founded by private individuals 
but in almost every instance tuition fees are charged by the Uni- 
versity, irrespective of its origin. 
The University of Western Australia differs, in that it was 
founded and is financed, by the State, and no tuition fees are 
charged. Although fees are charged at other Fniversities it does 
not follow that the student himself has to bear the cost. There 
are numerous instances of public-spirited persons who have pro- 
vided the money for the payment of University fees. The Carnegie 
trust is a notable instance where the fees of a large number of 
students who attend the Scottish Universities are paid. When the 
student has completed his course, and has started his subsequent 
career, lie is ex r eeled to repay to the Trust the amount of the fees 
paid for- his tuition. 
The whole tendency of the present day is to remove every 
obstacle from the path of the student seeking knowledge at the 
centre of learning. 
