THE PREMIER (HON. W. KIDSTON) OPENING THE PROCEEDINGS
When we try to compare the Queensland of to-day with the Queensland of fifty years ago—the cities and towns that have been built where then was the untrodden bush; the thousands of miles of railways and the many thousands of miles of roads, like a network all over this great area; the rivers that have been spanned by bridges; the harbours that have been made; the endless miles of telegraph lines that give rapid communication between the townships scattered all over the State—all the things that go to mark a civilised people—when we consider to what extent that work has been carried out by such a mere handful of people, we may well commend the men who have preceded us. (Hear, hear.) And it was not only in the matter of material development that these men did good work. Many years ago they established an educational system which still obtains—a system so effective and comprehensive that all over this vast territory of Queensland wherever ten or a dozen children can be brought together there you will find a State school. (Hear, hear.) And even beyond that, by means of the itinerant teachers, the scattered children of the bush are sought out and have at least the rudiments of education brought to their isolated homes. (Hear, hear.) To-day we seek to commemorate our establishment as a self-governing community, and at the same time to show our appreciation of the excellent work done by our predecessors in opening up this new land and in promoting the civilising and humanising agencies that have made Queensland what she is; and I hold that we can show our appreciation of the good work our predecessors did in no better way than by imitating and continuing that good work. We who have eaten of the fruit of the trees which our predecessors planted; we, the men of to-day, may also seek to plant so that the children of to-morrow may gather the fruit. (Hear, hear.)
Perhaps, Your Excellency, I am not just the person to discuss educational methods, or to seek here to give instructions to the Senate who will manage this University; but I may express the hope that the University of Queensland will provide for the youth of Queensland the highest culture and the best university training that can be got, at any rate, this side of the line. (Hear, hear.) At the same time I would not have it forgotten that Queensland is a hive of working bees; and all our educational institutions, from Kindergarten to University, should keep that fact in view. There is this difference between the youngest University in the Empire and the oldest: Oxford was established by a King; the University of Queensland is established by the People. (Hear, hear.) Queensland is democratic not only in her political institutions: she is democratic in heart and sentiment; and the desire of our people for a University is simply the desire that Queensland may be an educated democracy—the safest, the strongest, and the happiest community in which men can live. (Hear, hear.) I would have the Senate always remember that it was the desire of our people that inspired the crowning of our educational system by the establishment of a University, that in very truth the Queensland University is "of the people," and I trust that the Senate will never forget that it should be "for the people." (Hear, hear.) It is not all of us who can go to a University or directly share in its advantages; yet the whole community should, and I hope will, receive a general benefit. I hope that its influence will radiate downwards through all the ranks of our social organism; that those who have the advantage and the privilege of the more liberal education which our University will give will be like the leaven which the woman put in three measures of meal, and will leaven the whole community. (Hear, hear.)
Parliament has made what I think is fairly adequate financial provision for our University. A sum of £50,000 is being set aside from this year's revenue for meeting what may be called the initial cost. (Hear, hear.) And, besides that, a sum of £10,000 a year is being provided for what may be called the annual working charges. (Hear, hear.) I may also announce to-day that the Cabinet, subject of course to the approval of Parliament, has resolved to institute a certain number of foundation scholarships as a step towards equalising educational opportunities for our young people and by way of opening the door to ability and special merit. (Applause.) It has been decided to establish twenty foundation scholarships—(applause)—tenable for three years, each of which will carry free entrance to the University and £26 per year, or, in cases where students, to attend the University, must live away from home, £52 a year. These scholarships will be equally open to all our young people without regard to class, or creed, or sex. (Applause.) There will also be a foundation gold medal, carrying a prize of £100 a year for two years, for the purpose of encouraging original chemical research—(applause)—a similar medal and prize of a similar amount, tenable for two years, for engineering—(applause)—and a foundation travelling scholarship of £200 a year, tenable for two years. (Applause.) The scholarships will of course be competed for annually, so that in the third and each succeeding year there will be sixty of these scholarship students at our University. (Applause.)
I now ask Your Excellency, as representing His Majesty, to assent to the Bill, which has been approved by both Houses of Parliament, for the establishment and endowment of the University of Queensland, and on behalf of our people to dedicate this building, now your home, to the purposes of the University. (Loud applause.)
His Excellency Sir WILLIAM MacGREGOR said: Mr. Kidston, Ladies and Gentlemen,—The first duty I have to perform here to-day is to read to you a telegram which I received this forenoon from the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. This telegram is dated London, 9th December, at 1.45 p.m., and is addressed "The Governor, Brisbane." The Secretary of State says:—
"I am commanded by His Majesty the King to convey to you the following message:—
"His Majesty the King heartily congratulates the people of Queensland on the completion of fifty years of responsible government. It is the earnest hope of His Majesty the King that the enterprise and loyalty which have marked the first half-century of the State of Queensland may be its abiding heritage and that the prosperity which is evident at the close of this period may be multiplied abundantly in the years to come." "CREWE."