Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 13. June 11 1979

Let's Oppose Discriminatory Fees Imposed on Overseas Students

Let's Oppose Discriminatory Fees Imposed on Overseas Students

Dear Editor,

Obviously enough, the imposition of discriminatory fees on Overseas Students, especially Malaysian students, is another attack from Mr Muldoon's Government.

In 1976 Muldoon's Government 'generously' cut by 45% the intake of Overseas students. Last year they tried to take away our " Capping" right as if they could do anything they wanted to; but Government was faced with criticism and opposition from overseas/kiwi students and public and we regained our " Capping" right after some concrete actions were taken by students, last year. Now they want to impose the discriminatory fees on overseas students.....NZ$1,500 (approx. M$3,450, and an average Malaysian income in Malaysia is around M$200 per month.)

We should not sit back doing nothing to oppose the discriminatory fees to show that we, overseas students are very generous in giving away our rights. Otherwise, Mr Muldoon will bully his way through. Are we so easily bullied? Definitely not! We must unite and get organised to oppose the discriminatory fees effectively.

Surely, we still have some weak points, shy to speak out to protect our rights, owing to our background. But if we don't speak out and protect our rights now; Mr Muldoon will say, "Si-lent? .....No opposition." and impose the discriminatory fees next year on you and me. Who will suffer then? Ourselves and our families. Our families have to suffer more just because we do not protect our rights now in New Zealand. Our parents have to save here and there in order to send us here to study. Imposing the NZ$1,500 discriminatory fees on overseas students will drive many of our parents into dead end.

It is a serious matter, do something about it. Sign the petition; write letters of protest to NZ Prime Minister and Ministers; help to distribute the pamphlet; and march with our Malaysian, Singaporean and Kiwi students on the Action Day (15th June, 1979) to make our grievances known to public.

Let's oppose the discriminatory fees together!

A Malaysian,

J. Wong.