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I have never been in the mood to level criticism at any of the student organisations of this College, yet in view of a certain amount of feeling that has developed, my mood must be in some manner one of rebellion against the state of affairs as they appear to be. Victoria has for a long time enjoyed a reputation for liberal thought and advanced views on most subjects, especially polities, yet in spite of that, at present it appears to be in many respects the most intellectually barren of the University Colleges in New Zealand.
The defect is not something readily expressible or capable of being understood by many—rather is it felt, and felt very intensely when the desire for knowledge is no longer fogged by the shadow of examinations. "Salient" may serve very well as an organ of certain student opinion, and in that it is admirable, yet remove the ever-present veneer of Leftism, and is there left anything really worthy of a University? it is not that the basic outlook behind "Salient" appears to me wrong—actually I have come to believe that that outlook is in keeping with the findings of science—but the lack of balance and variety of opinion is serious. The remedy appears to lie in the student body rather than the staff of "Salient."
A University should be fundamentally a seat of learning—learning which whether pursued for the satisfaction of some inner urge in the individual, or from a desire to help in the enrichment, and ennobling of the lives of others, scorns the preoccupation with only the immediate material results that it brings. Yet there is in this College too much of a tendency for the student affairs to be left in the hands of those on the side of Law and Commerce, students who, by the nature of their studies, tend to remain under the shadow of the static and traditional in human affairs, yet who possess, so they think, an understanding of the major problems of mankind. It is unfortunate that the atmosphere must he akin to that expected in a night school or technical school, in its lack of a broad cultural basis.
Then we have the problem of the part-timers of all faculties and their struggle to do the minimum of work necessary to pass certain exams. Yet these are the people who appear to take most of the active parts in College societies. It may be different in other faculties, but I fail to see how anyone can possibly do a science course part-time in a manner worthy of the things of beauty which lie ahead. Perhaps we should have pity on them, and not expect too much, realising that some knowledge with little understanding is better than none at all; for at some later stage in life it may supply a certain number of facts to act as a basis for a newly-born impulse towards original thought.
There appears to be a certain amount of hope among the full-timers, and it is indeed pleasing that some of their number have at last woken up to realise that they have a responsibility in running the affairs of the College. The awakening appears to have been a painful affair for all concerned. Among their number are the same deficiencies, but they have the time, and do not know how to use it.
We may remember that the old Science Society of a few years ago died a natural death—a death caused by the failure of the students in the Science Faculty to care about anything but the branch of science in which they were immediately interested. It was a sad thing that we had to hasten the process, and it will be something sadder still if the general lack of interest allows the Science Association, a body now working unofficially and in its experimental stages, to suffer a similar fate. At the present moment in the Science Faculty there are individual societies, serving a very necessary function in their own fields, without one of them daring to mention the name of Science, their Master, or attempting to expand into the more important field of Philosophy, inseparable from Science and from the world around.
There is also an admirable society in the Arts Faculty, at the time of its foundation stirred by impulses more than those of Art alone. Now, this general philosophical outlook appears to have gone, and there has been a withdrawal into the Weltanschauung of Art as something complete in itself.
What does exist in the College appears somewhat deficient—the gap ahead is surprisingly large. It involves all that field dealing with the basic concepts of Art, Science, Religion, and the like, an understanding of which may appear vitally necessary when we have reached some of the higher stages of our quest. I think a thorough understanding of scientific method as a live tool of investigation is necessary before we can get very far in this synthesis. Our environment is known to us as a result of urges coming from within, and sensations from without; the net picture we divide up into small fragments, apparently unrelated, for the purpose of study, and few seem to develop an urge to attempt any re-synthesis. We do not expect the younger students to aspire to these heights which some of the older ones may begin to visualise, yet something can be done in this College, and would be of infinite value in shaping the ideas of those entering a University for the first time. The responsibility would rest mainly on the older students, with perhaps the help and approval of certain members of the Staff. (I have come to believe that the Staff is not wholly immune from this responsibility, and it could very well help by giving some Introductory Lectures along the lines indicated. A balance could be obtained of material relating to the past, and material which is vitally necessary for us at the present. J.D.F. has dealt with this subject in "Salient"
Given a desire of the intellectual societies to attempt something along these lines, there remains the necessity of the Exec. to do its part. Until a lead is given, we cannot expect an active sympathy from that quarter. The responsibility for a move in this direction is of a dual nature. So few of those who really do attempt to think about these problems care to have much to do with the control of affairs—for it is truly a thankless task, fogged with criticism and misunderstanding. It is all a story of infinite sadness, and it is even sadder that those who do encourage the spirit of enquiry should be so impotent to put some of their pent-up feeling into practice; those who really do feel about these matters tend to look with disgust on the petty bickerings going on in their environment, whether in the 'Varsity, or in the larger society of which they are a part. The private lives of scientific and artistic creation appear to us as refuges from this sadness.
Some will ask for more concrete proposals. I can say nothing further—an individual alone is helpless in this matter. Many individuals must become conscious of these matters, and by discussion arrive at something more definite.
"The 'Vanity debate"—a time-honoured institution mellowed by tradition and sustained by its popularity. Now degenerated into a farcical exaggeration of its avowed function. A kind of popular University entertainment, distinguished by a flow of witless wit from the back of the hall and a flood of emotionalism and verbal trickery from the front. How many people, coming away on a Friday evening, must be struck by the futility of it all!
Platitudes, cliches, wholesale quotations acknowledged and unacknowledged, and hearsay evidence are rife. (People went away from the last debate with at least three versions of the Kulack episode.) Logical fallacy is a commonplace at these debates—witness the eternal supposition of a hard-and-fast line between "capitalist" and "proletariat" in modern society. Tabloid thinking of the type "Freud says everything is sex" is not rife, it's absolutely rampant. Confused ideas and irrational thought cloud the issue. All is a sea of trouble swept by tides of eloquent emotional appeal to popular prejudice and blind Idealism. How far is it all from that vital necessity of modern times—open-minded, rational discussion, where personal prejudice, conditioned by past experience and past thinking, is recognized and discarded!
What hope for us if we think, yet know not how to think? What hope for the world when its leaders rely on persuasion rather than proof?
Most people refuse to think. Thinking is difficult. To be swayed by rhetorical fervour, by subtle innuendo, is far easier than to be convinced by rational argument. In the present stage of human evolution (I use the word evolution, not civilization, the latter being hardly applicable to the present world), an idea, to be accepted, must have emotional appeal, apart from its logicality. Quite rightly so. But appeal to mass prejudice swamps individual thought, forbids intellectual conviction, acceptability being based on emotional appeal, not necessarily on logicality.
The danger to clear thinking arising from past and present environmental influences must be self-evident. One's thinking tends to be based on things that are already acceptable to us: we choose the facts that suit our purpose. We have before us different interpretations of Soviet Communism, radical variations of opinion being published by members of identical political persuasions. The Left Book Club's books on Russia defend the system; Sir Walter Citrine. Eugene Lyons and Andrew Smith pick holes in it. How are we to judge? This tendency is Illustrated vividly in debates at Victoria. We see, too, the danger of following one line of thought. One tends to cling to it because of the initial emotional appeal to one, to the inevitable exclusion of, and prejudice against, opposing ideas. To cast aside all past prejudices, hopes, fears—become "aware" as Krishnamurti puts it, should be our aim. Then only have we started on the road to truth.
Let not the audience be exempt from blame. As Susan Stebbing points out, many people, most people come to a meeting (especially a political one) with their minds made up. They have prejudged the issue, and all they ask for is information that will support their thesis. The difficulty of obtaining facts facilitates this characteristic of most 'Varsity audiences. They want to be "converted before they are educated." The temptation of the honest speaker, then, is to persuade, and only to persuade, as there is no time to educate. (However honest speakers seem conspicuous by their absence from 'Varsity debates.) Much of the fault lies therefore with the audience, because they do not desire rational conviction. Susan Stebbing believes that intellectual honesty is not incompatible with public speeches, but experience with 'Varsity debates points the other way. Exploitation of the personality of the speaker is only too frequent and the judging, also being a time-honoured and traditional occupation, is consequently often worthless.
If then, the Debating Society is not concerned with the true nature of its function (which it apparently cannot fulfil), long may it continue. To one and all it affords admirable opportunities for mental relaxation, and for entertainment value is well up to the standard of the Auckland Zoo or the Chicago Wheat pit.
I can heartily recommend three extremely useful books in connection with this article. "The Art of Thought"—Graham Wallas; "Straight and Crooked Thinking." by Robert Thouless; and "Thinking to some Purpose" (a new Pelican edition by L. Susan Stebbing).
Visitors' Debate—in the Gymnasium, Friday, 14th July, 8 p.m.
Motion! 'That the Labour Government merits the continued confidence of the country."
Moved by Dr. McMillan. M.P., and Mr. J. P. Lewin.
Opposed by Mr. S. G. Holland, M.P., and Mr. R. W. Edgley, LL.B. Admission 6d.
The Ascent of F6.—Training College on July 13, 14, 15.
We invaded the Stage 1 Chemistry Lab., and interviewed the ladies of the Intermediate class. No single one was game to sign a confession about "Salient", so we recorded a few ideas as they came in from all sides, We subscribe to "Salient" (
No symposium would be complete without reference to the backbone of the institution—Brookie; so we visited his palatial workshop. He was rather hostile at first, but soon became eloquent when we mentioned the magic word "Salient." Evidently he had very strong opinions on some points. Yes, he had been guilty of calling it a "rag," and apparently he would continue to do so in the future—still, at the end he did agree that it was not a bad paper after all. What he wanted in the "rag" and in the College was more fun and wit, providing it was kept in the right place. He informed us that he could supply us with a lot, but he would not let us publish it. I'm sure Brookie gets a lot of fun out of us but then quite often we think something very funny and Brookie simply fails to see the point.
The main thing in University journalism is that it should be alive. It can't be alive without a series of rows, and the noise of battle which surrounds "Salient" is therefore a healthy sign. It should also, I think, be in a broad sense political. If it is to have any relevance to life in our time—and in our time academicism and private jokes would be sterile and intolerable. This need, too, "Salient" answers. It should be indignant, and "Salient" is sometimes indignant. On the other hand, I should like to see the paper more consistently grappling with books, pictures, music, and with the problems of the University; also (as I demand a lot) I should like to see it play the fool a bit more often; also I should like to see some of its poets try the effect of rhyme.
You have asked for my opinion of "Salient". At the outset, I would say that the paper is most capably and efficiently controlled. It is out on time unfailingly, with all its space filled, and I have never made a request for the insertion of any notice on behalf of the Executive which has not received immediate attention.
Regarding the policy of the paper, this does not receive the unqualified approval of the College—it would be an extraordinary, and probably a poor sort of paper that did. I would not be surprised to learn that the views expressed in the paper do not represent the opinions of the majority of the students of the College. But these views appear to me to express the opinions of the majority of those students who take a really active part in College affairs, and in social and political problems. Whether the policy of the paper represents the opinions of the majority of the students could only be determined by taking the sum totals of all the personal opinions of the students.
I feel at times that there could be more College news in the paper. This again is purely a matter of personal opinion, and probably a lot of matter inserted in lieu of College news is of considerable interest, and assists to make the paper a more balanced one. Personally, however, I would prefer to have film reviews omitted. Such are my comments for what they are worth.
We Interview Mr. W. T. G. Johnston :—This gentleman was asked his opinion of "Salient", "Bunk" was the reply, and even on repeated questioning we could get nothing but "Bunk." Mr. Johnston then proceeded to distribute "Salient" for half an hour on Wednesday night and still his reply was unchanged. We enquired whether he had read it, and were greeted with an indignant "No", At a later stage of the day he was observed reading a borrowed copy. In the morning he remarked that "Salient" had got into a groove, and the latest edition certainly did contain fresh opinions and material. So far he has not expended three-pense.
(Continued alongside.)
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"Wanted to sell, Angora Rabbit, cheap. 15/-; also Art Course. Ring 27-444 after 6 p.m."—"Evening Post."
The Guest Editor and his staff have now completed their task; but before the intellectual life of the college falls back into the old groove there is one most important matter still requiring attention—the motion which caused all the criticism of "Salient" to become articulate. It is only in relation to this motion that the criticism can be understood; and above all it must be remembered that the defeat of the motion and not either a change in the control of "Salient" or even the elimination of the features criticised was its primary object.
It is admitted that what actually happened at the meeting, especially when inaccurately retailed to those who were not present, might well have obscured that fact somewhat; but the opponents of compulsory subscription took the line they did purely and simply because, until Mr. Edgley's announcement at the meeting, they had no idea that the matter was to come up. For the same reason there were so few present to support them. Mr. Edgley had duly posted up his notice of amendments, to be sure—five pages of them. But how many students could be expected to read the mass of technical jargon that must inevitably figure in such a document? Some, such as the writer, managed the first page and discovered that the Students' Association fee was to be raised; but only the legally minded reached the fifth and found out the cause. The only way to make such a matter adequately known was to put up advertisements in block letters "Students' Association fee to be raised to provide for free distribution of 'Spike' and 'Salient'" on all notice boards and in the second of the two papers concerned. This was not done and the result was that those of us who realised the objections to such a proposal were left without the support we undoubtedly have in the college and without a plan for combating the motion when its import was suddenly revealed to our astonished senses.
Who can blame us then, if we spoke of the first thing that came into our mind—the obvious failure of the paper, to which all were now to be compelled to subscribe, to express the opinions of all or even the majority of students. Reflection would have shown us that the obvious course to adopt was to suggest that the matter be held over and decided by a ballot of all students, as was the similar question that recently came up of a reduction of the fee for Training College students. But we went blindly ahead. Practically all of what we said was right, we believe, and so do all of those who have so enthusiastically approved of our action, but the result was that the meeting, instead of realizing that the matter was one with which it was scarcely representative enough to deal (Mr. McCulloch was an honourable though belated exception) and instead even of examining the motion on its merits, treated the matter as one of confidence or no-confidence in the "Salient" staff. This attitude certainly explains the decisiveness of the result when the vote was taken (69 to 20 in favour of the motion).
As we think that by now many of the 69 may be beginning to realise their mistake (for which they were not entirely to blame) it is to them particularly, and to the others who have indicated their complete confidence in "Salient's" regular staff, that we appeal to support our move for a reconsideration by ballot of the original motion. With that in view, we add some other arguments that should appeal particularly to them, based on the harm that would be done to the paper itself if it becomes compulsory to subscribe to it. The first is that, as is well known, it is utterly valueless to attempt to force students to take an interest in College Affairs. The adage that one volunteer is worth ten pressed men applies more than ever in a society such as we have at the University. The other arguments may not perhaps at first seem quite so weighty, but are well worth consideration. They are, in brief, that the standard of "Salient" would fall, and that it would lose its present freedom. The standard would fall because at present it is maintained only by the herculean efforts of a few who have in some cases sacrificed their University work for the sake of producing a worthy paper. If they knew they could sell their paper whatever they put into it, would not their efforts relax just a little? The loss of freedom would be necessary because a writer has freedom of speech and opinion only so long as his readers have freedom to abstain from reading and paying for his expressions of opinion. Our daily newspapers may print what they like, or what their proprietors and advertisers like, within the law of libel; but only because each subscriber is free to cease subscribing as soon as he wishes. Make subscription compulsory, and you are obliged to meet the wishes of every reader. Who would suggest that this is either possible or desirable?
Well then, what can we do to have the matter reconsidered? The one way is to call a special general meeting of the Students' Association, and there rescind the motion, and pass in its stead a resolution that the motion be submitted to ballot. This is the course we urge upon all, and we are confident that in doing so we are morally entitled to the support not only of those whose help and enthusiasm have been so invaluable to us during our Guest Editorship, but also of the regular staff of "Salient" and all who think as they
A petition calling for a Special General Meeting (which must be signed by 25 students) will be sent to the secretary of the V.U.C.S.A. shortly, so that the meeting may be held immediately after the next batch of examinations, which commence on Monday, July 17th. Fifty students are required for a quorum; but we would like to see 500. Freshers are eligible to vote.
It has been said with increasing frequency of late years that New Zealand is becoming "politically conscious." A very common manifestation of this rising interest is the increasing number of discussion groups, which take any one of a number of different forms; these vary from two wharfies over a pint of beer to a group of hard-smoking, frequently hard-swearing, students in a 'Varsity common room. The distressing feature of all such groups, however, is their lack of factual knowledge and of persistent pursuit of some definite question; the latter being usually lost among a welter of irrelevant issues.
Thus we welcome the formation of an International Relations Club at V.U.C. At a meeting held last week some 40 enthusiastic supporters elected a provisional committee and empowered it to draw up a constitution, so that the club might seek affiliation as soon as possible.
Professor Wood, to whose energy the calling of the meeting was largely due, explained the details of the scheme: The Carnegie Corporation of New York would provide the basis of, and a guide to, discussion in the form of regular supplies of suitable books and periodicals; but the organisation and control of the club is to be left in the hands of the students. The only proviso is that one member of the Staff be nominated by the club to answer to the Corporation us to the respectability of the club and the proper use of literature provided.
The committee elected consisted of a chairman, Mr. A. T. Fussell; a secretary, Miss M. McWilliams; and three committee members, Misses E. McLean, M. Sutch, and Mr. F. Corner. Professor Wood was appointed as the required faculty adviser. Two study groups were set up and the club decided to hold its first meeting in about a fortnight's time.
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Some thirty members of the V.U.C. Science Association made an enjoyable excursion to Massey on Sunday, July 2nd. No excursion run by the 'Varsity would be complete without the traditional behaviour of 'Varsity students, and this was no exception.
Most of what we saw was of interest only to those of the Science Faculty. Both at Massey and the Plant Chemistry Lab. D.S.I.R., the main feature appeared to be the use of modern methods and a plentiful supply of efficient apparatus. Those who have spent their scientific lives tying up condensers with pieces of string may well wonder whether the complex apparatus is really essential, as good work can be done with very few facilities. Everywhere there was a keenness and enthusiasm, essentially dynamic, and not always present at V.U.C.
After a meal modestly described as afternoon tea, several short speeches were made. Mr. Terry, President of Massey College S.A. welcomed us as ambassadors from V.U.C., expressed regret that the visit was so short and hoped that many such interchanges of visits would take place in the future. The final speech by Prof. Peren could very well be reported in full. His main points were, firstly, the close bond that exists between Massey and V.U.C., one which should be felt especially in the Science Faculty, and secondly, the importance of Biochemistry (that subject involving a synthesis of biology and chemistry) in the scientific development of N.Z., and the great requirement of expert research workers in this subject at Massey. Mr. Barker replied on behalf of V.U.C.
Those who went on this excursion are very grateful for the work done by Dr. F. W. Dry in arranging the visit.
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We gather that the Executive intends to do a certain amount of brush-work in the near
A sub-committee has been appointed to organise a Student Working Bee. The Work—shifting some rock on the approaches to the Biology Block—Full-time students please note.
Dear "Salient."—The immediate reactions of a rather conservatively minded law student (who was not, I must admit, present at last Monday evening's meeting) to the increase of the S.A. fee to provide (inter alia) for a general distribution of "Salient," were not exactly favourable. Was this new move, I wondered, only a legitimate act of self-expression in the part of the leftists, or the first step in their attempt to dominate the College by force? Further reflection, however, as well as a talk with one who was present at the meeting, have persuaded me that this view is hardly fair to the "Salient" staff. The chief argument, it seems, that weighed with the voters at the meeting was the fact that there was only one weekly paper at V.U.C., and that that paper. In spite of great efforts made on its behalf, was not paying its way. Accordingly, it would have either to continue in its present state of financial insecurity or be given the assistance of a general levy. The latter alternative was chosen; no self-respecting University could, with equanimity, have contemplated the former. At least, that is how it seems to me.
The question of "Salient's" administration is really another matter. Though personally I disagree with most—perhaps nearly all—of what has appeared in the editorial columns of "Salient." like many others I feel that too much apathy has been shown by those of us who consider we hold sounder views. In the circumstances it is inevitable, and perhaps not inequitable, that "Salient" should have become the mouthpiece of the Left.
May I therefore voice what I believe is a fairly general desire—that, in whoever's hands the editorship of "Salient" may be, it be (or, if you like, continue to be) a reasonably open forum. Let the College be assured that its own weekly—which has now been placed on a proper financial footing—has room for the views of every student, and there would be little cause for dissatisfaction. Better still, we might thus see an end of the bitterness which, on all sides, has been so much in evidence of late.
[Our reply to this letter will be given fully at the Special General Meeting. It is a question of whether financial considerations are to outweigh matters of principle.—Ed.]
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Dear Sir,—In connection with the many articles which have been published in "Salient" in recent months in criticism of the British Government's policy. I think the following questions are not entirely irrelevant:
The Biological Society should be commended on its attempt to screen a programme of scientific films last week. However, it seems that as an experiment in education the effort was not entirely successful. The fault with the majority of the films was that. In attempting to cover a wide field in a simple manner, they were satisfactory neither to the expert nor to the novice. For the former they were not sufficiently detailed, while for the latter they were impressive rather than instructive. It appears that, until films can be obtained that are more suitable for educational purposes, and less comparable to popular science publications, any time spent in screening them will have been wasted.
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Debating Society. A Special General Meeting has been called for Wednesday. 12th July, at 8 p.m. in the gymnasium. At this meeting the question of a dispute between members of the committee will be discussed, and a new election of officers will take place.
Once upon a time, O beloved Aesopht, there was a young woodcutter who decided to go out into the world to seek his fortune. So one day he packed up his things, obtained his passport, and crossed the frontier into the strange land of Victoria, for many days he wandered through the shady Forest of Thought and there he met a Princess called Scientific Research and married her, though that is another story.
One day he left his Bride to cut wood in another part of the forest called the Common Room, and there he came across a man who was addressing a meeting of sad-faced people. And this man said unto the people "You say you want things done; why don't you go and do them?" Then the woodcutter asked "Lo, what is it that you want done?" and the man replied "We want men willing to go as ambassadors to our King, but everyone cries that he cannot give the time." Then the people crowded round crying "Will you go?" Now the young woodcutter wanted to go back to his Bride, but at last he said he would go if two others would support him.
Now when the Councillors of the King heard that these men were coming they forgot that these men were from the original inhabitants, that they had declared their meeting widely, and that they had a right to visit the King. And They were Terribly upset about it, crying "Lo, these men come in secret to steal power." But the King would not hear them and appointed one of the Woodcutters to his Cabinet, saying to the others "What else can I do for you?" And the young woodcutter spoke about expenses and taxes in the land—but before he could say much one of the Councillors stopped him and told the King the same thing saying. "Lo, I Personally attended to it" though the woodcutter was still trying to speak, which was rude of the Councillor. So the woodcutter spoke about breakages, announcing that only one had been caused deliberately—and the Councillor again interrupted him, denying this, saying "I personally saw the damage and know that the people of the woods are the only ones who would think of doing it." After the woodcutter had tried several times to speak, he gave it up in disgust, and the Councillors said he had not proved his facts.
But the young woodcutter went back to the Forest of Thought and said to the people "Now one of us is on the King's Cabinet and he will speak for us." And when the Councillors said nasty things about him he decided to reply only once, then go back to his Bride.
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Dear Sir,—"A life unexamined, uncriticised, is not worthy of man." says the philosopher. Let us therefore "see ourselves as others see us." We are cautioned not to make our discussion too weighty in case the absorbing mental capacity of students who have not been through the class in logic is exceeded, even though a little more weight in the feet may help some people who are inclined to be light-headed to keep on the earth. Seeing that "writing maketh an exact man." it is best to state pungently and perfunctorily what is exercising the minds of some of the students, so that the complex matter
The whole crux of the matter is this, that the duly constituted Students' Association at its last meeting by a minority vote—given, it is admitted, strictly in accordance with its rules—acted in a manner that is not worthy of man by imposing an exorbitant charge of five shillings per annum on members whose financial resources are already strained to breaking point. It is the last straw that breaks the camel's back. The College motto, "Wisdom is more to be desired than gold," is clearly infringed, and those students who burk at the extra heavy burden are fully justified. The imposition largely arose as the result of a deficit on "Salient," which has since been very ably reorganised with great profit to all concerned. "Freshers" now want the Students' Association itself reorganised so as to give them a right to vote, and have the various club meetings more conveniently arranged in a manner becoming to intelligent persons.
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Remark made by Professor Lipson in a recent Political Science lecture: "The Socialist is a person who lets his bleeding heart run away with his bloody head."
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Sixty-one is a phenomenal attendance for a 'Varsity gramophone recital. Whether the success of the first of the 'popular' recitals was due to the nature of the programme, or to the extensive advertising it received, is hard to say. The Important fact is that 40 or 50 more students have shown themselves interested in this branch of V.U.C. activities. It is to be hoped that this interest will not wane, especially as Tuesday's recital was by no means a fair sample of the possibilities of the Carnegie machine. Interested persons would be well advised to attend other programmes—programmes of a nature that permits them to be more coherent, and, to many, more enjoyable.
The "popular" programmes will continue each Tuesday at 1 p.m. Other programmes are arranged for Mondays at 1.15 p.m. and Thursdays at 8 p.m. Details are posted outside the library, while an efficient card index to the 900 records owned by the College is to be found opposite the library counter. It should be noted that the students may have records played, other than at times set down for regular recitals, by special arrangement with one of the gramophone committee. The collection is there to be used: use it.
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Students' evening was held at the French Club on Thursday, 29th June. The programme commenced with a creditable performance by first-year students of a bright little play. "La partie de Bridge." by Tristan Bernard. The players: Misses Stone and O'Connor and K. Hollyman, R. Collins, F. Evison, K. Matthews and A. Miles, P. J. Magill then played "Staccato etude" (Rubenstein) and after vociferous applause again delighted with "Papillon" (Oleson).
When a man abandons his wife for the roulette wheel and schemes to sell her jewellery to finance his system, he is assured of a frigid reception. It was not otherwise in Max Maurey's play "Monsieur Lambert," produced by Dr. Keys. Inveigled to a lunatic asylum under the control of Dr. Garin (J. F. Parker) by a fake prince (E. D. Grinstead) and his female accomplice (Betty Frazer). M. Lambert (Dr. Keys) is manhandled by an attendant (T. Sweeney) and gibbered at by a probationary lunatic (S. Whitlock) while the "sharpers" decamp with the swag. Mme. Lambert (Durie Maysmor) arrives in time to prevent her husband being further ill-used and explains that she has substituted an imitation for the genuine article.
The parts of M. Lambert and the lunatic were amusingly portrayed but the play lost effect through the too soft speaking of some of the cast.
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In a Med. Intermediate Chemistry note book certain precipitates were described by the following colours:—Salmon, royal blue, mustard, canary, chocolate, apricot, oyster, powder blue, petrol-blue, ox-blood red, London-tan.
It is very much regretted that in this issue of "Salient" the section devoted to sport has been reduced considerably. This was by no means the wish of the Sports Editor, and it is felt that an apology is duo to all those who so willingly assisted by contributing club notes and other articles for which insufficient space could be found.
Whether or not the space allotted is sufficient to cover the wide range of club activities, is, I suppose, a debatable point—depending on one's interest in University sport. For some, I know, sport has little appeal—just as, for others, overseas politics can be nothing but boring. Again, there is the accusation that the youth of to-day centres everything around sport. In part this may be true, but in many cases an active interest in sport finishes with the close of a secondary school career. For such as these there is no excuse, for they miss much in life that should be theirs, and we can do no better than remind them of the old motto: "Mens sana in corpore sano"—"clean in sport, clean in body, clean in mind."
The Seniors save a very indifferent display on Saturday, what few bright movements there were coming from occasional breaks by the forwards.
Hansen and the two Shannons played particularly fine games in a pack which appeared tired and somewhat bored, although McVeagh showed up occasionally in the loose. McNicol seemed content to play on his reputation and was frankly, lazy. Given a fair share of the ball from scrums and lineouts by Burke and Thodey the backs. Rae excepted, were hardly up to Senior standard. Their passing was bad and tackling lamentably weak. It is high time the old maxim "miss your man, miss your place" was applied to Varsity football; and the selection committee might well consider the promotion of Ekdahl and Mahood from the Junior A's for the second round.
In one of the best games seen on Kelburn for years the Seconds went down to Training College 6-8. Varsity were superior in the forwards. Webb in particular playing a fine game, while Mahood's vigorous tackling and splendid backing up, saved the side on numerous occasions. Corkill gave his backs a feast of the ball from the scrums but with the notable exception of Ekdahl they lacked initiative and could not penetrate. The tackling of the backs was good. Hay being outstanding, but McVeagh was too slow in getting up on his man, thus allowing T.C. to gain the overlap. The forwards, when the ball was shot back from passing rushes into the blue vanguard, seemed nonplussed and in this respect their defence was weak. Both sides, however, played excellent football and "Salient" congratulates Bryers and his men on a meritorious but hard earned victory.
Defeating Athletic 19-17 after being down 17-3 at half time, the third B enjoyed their second consecutive win of the season. This team was none too successful at the beginning of the year but extraordinary keenness and splendid team spirit allied to enthusiastic coaching by Ken Hoy has worked wonders. The Side should have its share of success from now on.
In the forwards Dix has proved a capable hooker while Jessep's weight and experience has effected a big improvement. Scott too is playing well. Martin, half or five-eighths, is showing promise and Power, a hard-running three-quarter with a splendid boot—he scored 16 points on Saturday—should be heard of again.
Of the remaining teams, Junior B defeated Institute 16-6, but the Social team had to lower its colours to Petone to the tune of 19-6. The Colts found to opposition at Silverstream, losing to College 13-6.
A bitterly cold southerly wind made matters most unpleasant for
wonder that only nineteen members lined up for the start. Yet those nineteen were well rewarded with one of the best runs of the season. This time the course was from Evans Ray to Oriental Bay and back via the top of Mount Victoria—a distance of seven miles. In the fast pack de la Mare was again conspicuous, giving probably his best performance to date: while Henderson was slightly better than Fenton in a well matched quarlet comprising the medium pack. C. G. Wilson is another member who has been running very well lately, and he seems to have profited considerably by his outing at Dannevirke a few weeks ago.
Next week the run will be from Rona Bay to Pencarrow, though the route will be adjusted to suit the abilities of all classes of barriers.
In England, America and the Continent, ski-ing is regarded as one of the major competitive sports. At Oxford and Cambridge, for instance, Blues are awarded to those attaining representative honours, and the annual Oxford v. Cambridge meeting held in Switzerland is one of the important events in the Winter Sports Calendar. In America, the U.S.A. University team, comprising Duncan (American Champion). David and Stephen Bradley and Loughlin was also the official U.S.A. representative team which successfully routed both Australia and New Zealand in
In New Zealand the organisation of inter-University ski-ing is already well under way. With experienced skiers like Murphy, Scotney and Freeman, to say nothing of a host of other enthusiasts. V.U.C. appears to have a wealth of talent. Ability will be tested in the inter Tramping Clubs' sports to be held at Kime Hutt during the week-end of 12-13 August, when V.U.C. hopes to field a team (or teams) chosen at some prior trials held under competitive conditions—probably 22nd July at Mt. Holdsworth; and all aspiring to represent V.U.C. in this ever-increasingly popular sport are invited to apply to the secretary of the Tramping Club.
For some years now Otago and Canterbury Universities have held successful meetings at Mt. Cook, and the inauguration of competitive skiing by the N.Z. Colleges should, we hope, result in a National University meeting. The next step is an inter-Dominion Tourney—Australia versus N.Z.—and with some initiative and organisation this should he possible Roth Sydney and Melbourne Universities are well represented. A member of the New Zealand skiing team visiting Australia in
It is possible, too, that University students may visit New Zealand for the Centennial Meeting at Mt. Cook next year, and if so, it is to be hoped that a University Tournament will be held at the same time, either at Mt. Cook or at Ruapehu, thus paving the way towards a further addition to the list of inter-University sports.
Auckland we hear is carrying all before them in the Table Tennis world. The men so far have an unbeaten record, while the ladies are only slightly less successful. In Football, things are not quite so rosy, with the senior team half-way down the Second division. In Hockey, the men annexed the seven-a-side competition, but have disappointed in championship matches, soon losing the leading position they once held. The ladies team shared a similar fate.
Canterbury report bigger and better things of their Football team this year. With a handy lead in the Senior grade, they appear to have excellent chances of annexing the Championship. In Hockey—but perhaps they would rather we did not report on the doings of their hockey team. Our Senior side did at least win one match.
Otago, on the other hand will talk Hockey
"Making confusion worse confounded" was the phrase with which a well-known V.U.C. hockey player summed up his comments on the recent attempt by the Wellington Association to improve the standard of play by a system of grading.
"By interchanging, after the first round of matches, the two lowest teams in the grade below." he went on to say, "they hope that the standard in each grade will become more even, matches will be closer, and everyone will benefit.
"It is not unreasonable to suppose that they had in mind the Senior Grade in particular when they made this decision, the opinion being that many players there were not up to standard. But the course events have taken has shown the foolishness of their step. Next year, it is to be hoped not only that the system of regrading halfway through the season will be abandoned, but also that the Senior grade will be drastically reorganised.
"At the Club's Annual Meeting one member was criticised for suggesting it would be a good thing for the hockey in Wellington if the number of teams in Seniors was reduced to six. Even if Varsity lost their place in that grade. His remarks were based on considerable hockey experience in Auckland. Having played much Senior Hockey in a southern centre, I am inclined to agree with him. But I would say that there should be six senior clubs, and that under no conditions whatever should one club be allowed more than one team in the Senior grade. As a consequence of the recent mid-season shuffle, there are three Huia teams in the Senior grade, two Karori teams, and one team from each of three other clubs.
"The result? When in doubt, good players from other centres tend to join the stronger clubs, because they will have more chance of playing in Seniors, will be playing in good company, and thus catch the eye of the selector. This can do nothing but harm in the long run.
"Circumstances should be such as to make players do exactly the opposite—to join the weaker clubs. This does in fact happen when there are six senior clubs, and where I played last season, the bottom team in competitions was liable to defeat the leaders at any time without the event being dismissed as a fluke.
"I think that there is no doubt that the relegation of the University team is detrimental to the game, as well as to the club. However, it seems that we shall regain our position on the recent improved form, and under those circumstances the Club could not be accused of any ulterior motive in recommending the reforms suggested above to the Hockey Association. At present there are five clubs in the Senior grade, and University, by its recent decisive defeat of Wellington, would seem to be the logical choice for the sixth. I should like to see our Committee take a definite stand in making this proposition."
We must congratulate the Senior Basketball side on its surprise victory in The King's Birthday tournament, for after indifferent form in the earlier part of the year, our girls certainly excelled themselves. Playing International rules, they suffered only one defeat in the five rounds, thus gaining eight points, the next team being W.E.O.G. with seven points. With Kia Ora level at the fourth round, everything depended on its game with Training College, and the latter are to be congratulated on their victory over a team which is as yet undefeated in ordinary club matches.
The Senior A match against W.E.O.G. on Saturday was a disappointment. Varsity were down 7-8 at half-time, and with field advantages in the next spell had hopes of holding their own. Yet there was a sudden weakening in the forward first and a very commendable domination of the game by the opposing team, the final score being 10-19.
The third team also suffered a defeat. This seems to be a habit; but they are enjoying their games, and their spirit is to be commended.
With its popularity increasing apace. Table Tennis is now firmly established in the College—yet it is only a year ago since it was first introduced. The ground that it has gained in that time is amazing, and if ever a club's existence was justified by its popularity, then this Table Tennis Club is one.
It is proposed to commence Championship matches almost immediately, and competition promises to be keen, both for men and Indies. Results are hard to forecast and this year surprises may be many.
Our intention was to compile and publish in this issue a symposium of representative opinion on "Salient." With this in view, we interviewed Brookie and a few others, and sent a note to four members of the staff, five students of the Arts Faculty, four of Science and seven of Law and Commerce. This note asked for a statement in not more than 100 words of (a) their opinion of this year's "Salient." and (b) any suggestions for future improvement.
There were one or two defaulters. The people selected were almost entirely subscribers of "Salient." and were representative of the different branches of College life. Actually we would have had justification for approaching some non-subscribers in whom we would expect the most hostile critics of "Salient." and our case would have been strengthened by the question of compulsory subscription.
We have before us the results of these quest ions, and at the outset we would like to congratulate the regular staff of "Salient" on the results. Most of the paper's readers who are best known in the College appear to be well satisfied with most features of it; in fact, some opinions gave no suggestions at all for future improvement. We intended to publish opinions exactly as received, even to doubtful grammar (alas, writing cannot be reproduced). However, only two kept to the 100 word limit, and we would have had to publish in all 2,700 words, requiring all the front page.
We have decided, in view of the quantity of other material worthy of publication, and in view of the lack of anything of critical value in many of the contributions, to take the drastic step of summarising them. Apart from what is on the front page, we cannot publish more than abstracts—in doing so we have realised the impossibility of thus expressing every shade of opinion. We realise that in doing this we are laying ourselves open to a charge of bias—accordingly the letters will be handed over to the permanent staff to be used as they think fit. The collection of the replies was in the hands of Mr. Ongley, and the summary has unavoidably been made without his knowledge, the editor accepting complete responsibility for the final article.
The great majority of contributors to the symposium seem convinced that politics have a legitimate place in "Salient," and that not too much space has been given to them. Mr. Hatherly expresses an opinion held by several others: "'Salient' has helped to fill a large gap in the description of current affairs that we find in the newspapers." The only ones who explicitly expressed their dissent to this view were two ex-Aucklanders. Messrs. Braybrooke and Stacey. Apparently they have different ideas about the function of a University paper at A.U.C. Mr. Braybrooke is quite definite in his attitude: "The weakest feature of 'Salient' is the political articles, particularly those on international politics—the average commercial magazine produces better and more valuable articles—the average article hasn't even the saving grace of being a representative expression of opinion." Mr. Stacey says "'Salient' ignores the vital object of any college rag: that of welding the various student activities into the nerve centre of College life. Student activities are relegated to back page news; instead, great emphasis is laid on certain conditions of social evolution and growth of little or no importance to us as students." Comment is made by six contributors on the one-sidedness of the political articles; but Professor Gould. Miss Pettit and Miss Bitossi (Arts) and Mr. Barker (Science) maintain that it is no fault of "Salient's". Mr. Parker (Arts) considers the one-sidedness could be overcome by a personal appeal to some of the more prominent students. In the eyes of Mr. Coddington (Arts) and Mr. Hatherly "Salient" contrasts markedly, in its freedom from restrictions, with the daily press.
Few contributions mentioned the reports of Club meetings. Mr. Stacey (Commerce) wants more of them and more detailed accounts. Mr. Jamieson (Science) and Mr. Coddington appeal for loss bias; but Mr. Hatherly attends in person all functions he is sufficiently interested in, and so needs no report. But he does derive some benefit from reading another person's impressions of a function that is yet fresh in his mind.
Four ladies (all Arts) and one gentleman mentioned the Gossip Column. Two of the ladies (Miss Guscott and Miss Pettit) were most definite in their condemnation of it indeed, so inveterate an antagonist is the former of anything that sounds as if it might be gossip that she did not wait until our last issue came out before condemning our "V.U.C. Students Abroad". The activities of such students "may be of slight gossipy interest to any who knew them, but surely the majority of students are interested in things of a more cultural and educational value." Miss Johnson and Miss Bitossi speak with more approval of the column, as does the gentleman. Mr. Heine. (We noticed him figuring there a couple of issues back).
The most striking comments on the literary page are undoubtedly those of Dr. J. C. Beaglehole, published on page 1. Of the others who remarked on this part of the paper Mr. Jamieson suggested that some of the poets might insert a little meaning in their verse, and Miss Johnson and Mr. Barker appealed for more writers of verse, although they quite rightly pointed out that "Salient" could not be blamed for the lack of them.
The majority of these contributors make no complaint about the present serious tone of the paper; but Mr. Jamieson would very much like more wit and humour, and Professor Kirk suggests that the appointment of class correspondents might not be a bad idea.
Opinions on what are the best and the worst features in the paper seem to differ considerably according to the views of the contributors. The political and cultural articles find most favour with Mr. Coddington, and Miss Pettit likes politics too. Mr. Barker mentioned the symposium on jazz, and said he enjoys "Salient" particularly when it "holds the mirror up to the outside world." There would seem to be no danger of V.U.C. students succumbing to the enticement of "Academic shop and small-talk" as Miss Guscott puts it. Many opinions do not even hint at a worst feature and several refer to the admirable balance maintained between "accounts of local doings and the major and vital issues of modern life" (Miss Johnson). On the other hand Mr. Stacey is very emphatic that student activities do not get their due.
Most of the suggestions for improving the paper have already been referred to. There were not many of them—an indication that many readers are quite content with things as they are. Several, however, more discriminating in our view, are perturbed by the one-sidedness of the political articles and club reports. Miss Pettit, like Mr. Parker, thinks the only solution is to solicit contributions on controversial subjects. (Our own experience of the excellent response we received for our first issue confirms this.) "Even if the contributions received were not up to the general standard of 'Salient' articles" says Miss Pettit, "they would give a survey of student opinion." Miss Justine Smith does not think that the difficulty would be solved by "A holy alliance of Russian red and Baldwin blue" on the editorial committee. "The committee must work harmoniously to produce a good paper—which implies a degree of unanimity of viewpoint." The only other alternative is "the elaboration of a scheme for amicable alternation in control. The rivalry would be stimulating as appears from recent events". We are quite in agreement, provided that next time the job doesn't fall on us.
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