The Von Zedlitz Case

Then came the First World War and the rift "between the University and the city community became serious. Although never as violent as "the town and gown" riots of Oxford, this rift has been both spiteful and bitter. This most tragic collision has come to be known as the Von Zedlitz Case.

Professor Von Zedlitz, son of a German father and an English mother, was a man of culture who had long ago lost his German nationality. Unfortunately, he had not considered it necessary, as a civilised European, to take out British papers.

Patriotic Societies, with a warped sense of patriotism, were looking for someone to concern themselves with "So Von Zedlitz, the honourable, the civilised, the humane became the target of every uncivilised fool in the country who could write to a newspaper." Von Zedlitz offered to resign but the College Council rightly considered this unjust. But now the cry was up, the hunt could not be stopped. The Council stood firm against the bayings of the mob. In this they were supported by the Professors and the students. A Royal Commission on Aliens gave a favourable report, but the screams for Von Zedlitz's removal continued. The Government was not as honourable as the College Council, and, overnight, gave way. It threatened legislation to achieve its end. Von Zedlitz again offered to resign, but the Council stood firm, convinced of the right of its position. The result was the Alien Enemies Teacher Bill. The Council petitioned, but "the Government felt its own interest, its own prestige, too much at stake." It deliberately misinterpreted a letter of Von Zedlitz's. The M.P.'s now used the bill as an excuse for an orgy of pseudo-patriotism. They guiltily attempted to hide their injustice to an individual by proclaiming the bill "general in application." The result was that Von Zedlitz retired to a position in a Church school; The Council had defied the popular outcry, until the State had beaten down its resistance.

Professor Beaglehole sums up: "Depressing as is this story of defeat, there is nothing in the college's record of which its men and women have the right to feel more proud."