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Decisions to promote personal hygiene moves, to call for a College song, to push student rehabilitation investigations, were made at the last Stud. Ass. Exec. meeting.
Dr. Hubert Smith's crowded lecture on venereal disease has prompted Exec. members to take up seriously the suggested formation of a Personal Hygiene Association here. Would be on the lines of well-known American society of same name. "Salient" may be able to report progress next issue.
Lack of suitable College songs, inefficacy of "O Victoria Sempiterna" and "Absent Friends" being generally recognised, led Jim Winchester to suggest annual prize for words and music. Executive decided to make it £1. Song to be suitable for singing at undergraduates' supper. Composers and authors should let the Executive have their essays at once.
Canterbury College Radical Club wrote asking whether we sported a similar society here. Proposed "arch-congress" of like organisations. Exec. members pointed out that the first clause of the constitution of the society in question said something about "war" being "the chief enemy of mankind." We are to write back that we happen to think it is Hitler.
An application for affiliation by the required number of 25 students for a society calling itself the V.U.C. Society for Closer Cultural Relations with New Zealand was received. Objection was taken to the name. Some Exec. members thought it was a leg-pull. Others spoke about a matter of taste. Decided to refer the application back with a request that the name be reconsidered, though it was felt that if the prospective members were keen such a society could do good work.
N.Z.U.S.A.'s annual conference of delegates from the executives of the six constituent Colleges is to meet on May 16-17. Victoria representatives will bring up: Student Congress in
For the information of Freshers the Executive at the moment is: President, Sgt. Morry Boyd; Men's Vice-President, Jim Winchester; Women's Vice-President, Janet Bogle; Secretary, Mrs Mary Boyd; Treasurer, Laurie Stark; Assistant Treasurer, Wolfgang Rosenberg; Assistant Sec., Beryl Harley Brown, W.A.A.F.; Executive Members, Corp. Orm. Creed, Huddy Williamson, Daisy Filmer, Jenny Grant, Anne Fitchelbaum.
And, the Exec. thinks, worth it. Capping week has always been a rallying point of student unity, and at this time should be stronger than over. An effort to carry on festivities as in pre-war years, including such merriments as a full-scale public Extrav., procession, and such, would now be sheer sabotage. This being so, Capping Ball becomes an even greater centre of interest than in the old days and will be an even finer show. Of course, it is expensive; one hundred and fifty pounds is no joke, and with a free list of ninety (graduates only), the deficit may take some covering. But—a perfect floor, a good orchestra, supper, plenty of room, vague and happy, if heady, memories of the '42 Ball—make it more than worth while. Tickets will probably be at a premium; there were only 200 printed, so we advise haste. The Exec.-room between five and seven is the place for booking and the show goes on next Friday.. Be there!
To see "science at work" I advise a tour of the Dominion Laboratory, no further away than Sydney Street, Wellington, where, uninviting in appearance and inefficient in some respects though it may be, chemists are working hard for the benefit of the community. Tinned and other foods are analysed in search of hidden defects; experiments are made with and tests on paint, investigating endurance and other qualities; improvements in quality and uses of bitumen are tried; these are only three of the thousand and one problems tackled by the Dominion Laboratory.
Across the road is the Fisheries Laboratory, where the habits of New Zealand's economically important and other fishes are studied. To the superficial observer, an examination of the life history and habits of the cod, for instance, may appear a waste of time, but it is this research which enables our supplies of eating fish to be maintained. The Agriculture Department is also close by. There we find the discoveries of soil deficiencies, the experimenter in suitable and productive varieties of grain for this country, and those attempting to establish the best grasses for the beat area for the best result.
Further up the road is the Soil Survey. How ludicrous to some is the sight of a man filling a small bag with soil from a field: but only
Out of the city, at the Wallaceville Laboratory, great work is being done investigating animal diseases, experimenting with foods, etc., all with good facilities and equipment.
And so, even in the comparatively inefficient Government Departments, we see new scientists play their part in the community. Only by patient research can results be obtained. Little does the layman realise the time and labour and patience behind the modern conveniences of today; the countless trials and failures and trials and failures before success is achieved. In the end, a new disease-preventing compound may be discovered, a suitable insect parasite to prey on another insect pest is found, the reason tor a wheat crop failure is no longer a mystery.
The scientist carries out his responsibilities to the
O.U. Stud. Ass. on April 11th decided in committee to dismiss the entire "Critic" staff ("Critic" is the O.U. student paper). The following day the decision was announced without explanation to the students, editor or staff. All copy—"Critic" was due to go to press that day—was confiscated by the Executive.
Students, stirred out of their usual apathy, became indignant and one faculty had a meeting, instructing their council delegates to vote against the Executive on a vote of no-confidence if necessary. Other faculties would have prepared to do the same had not the Executive reversed their decision.
On April 12th at an Executive meeting the staff, except the editor, were exonerated (from what they knew not) but not reinstated. The next night the editor (still unenlightened) was reprimanded and reinstated.
On April 15th at the Autumn Student Council Meeting the matter was aired publicly. Apparently the censor (a member of the Executive and responaible to the College Council) considered that her authority, dignity and critical taste had been flouted, and had succeeded in persuading the easily-swayed Executive into making this astounding move.
The above is only a fragmentary account of an exceptionally interesting matter, involving as it does the whole question of censorship of University papers and the dangers thereof.
(The above was taken almost verbatim from "Canta's" report of the matter and we will print further news as it comes to hand.)
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The Hockey and Basketball Clubs are holding a Winter Tournament on May 14, 15 and 17. These Clubs require your support to make this a success. There will be 100-odd visiting players and this means
Any student who can take a billet please notify the Secretary of either the Men's Hockey Club, the Women's Hockey Club or the Basketball Club.
See the notice board for Billeting Lists.
The graduation ceremony may be viewed from many angles: the students' angle as an excuse for a spree; the student who receives his or her degree as representative of a certain amount of study; and the proud relatives who believe that the letters B.A. or whatever the letters are really matter.
Ivory towers are no longer practicable for us; the dogs of war have been unleashed and peace will not come easily. At the graduation ceremony itself we will hear degrees being conferred in absentia, and also many students present will be in uniform. Vitally necessary war work can be done by the newly-fledged B.Sc., and the completion of a course of study implies freedom to attend to work of national importance.
To many students, a degree gained before entering the Forces is a stabilising factor, almost, it might be said, an insurance against an unknown future. This brings up the vast problem of student rehabilitation, which must he faced by students throughout New Zealand. It would be foolish to say that this will be a simple matter. Rehabilitation is far from being a simple problem, and the whole question will depend on the general political situation after the war. Now is a time when we should consider our grave responsibilities.
On the 25th of this month all over New Zealand gatherings will have been held to remember those who have their lives in the Great War;
Phrases such as: "They fell with their faces to the foe," "fallen in the cause of the free," have now a ghastly significance, of which the pompous town clerks and religlous men who utter them are apparently unaware. They have said that "nothing will do more to prevent war than a constant reminder of the horror and failure of the last." This attitude, as it is obviously meant to do, directs our thoughts away from present realities, with the display of an ostentatious emotion. A reminder of the last war is not inspiring or splendid, but humiliating and will never affect one
On many of the War Memorials at whose shrine Anzac Day celebrations often culminate, the words are inscribed, "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori." Surely it is a strange thing to be still paying respect to the ideal of an age which we believe we have progressed beyond. Extreme nationalism, and the belief it engendered that the noblest action one could perform for one's country was to die for it, have been merely a phase. We have, to some extent at least, passed that phase, and believe rather that to live and work is nobler than to die. Anzac Day celebration is the expression of homage to a primitive and out-dated conception; that we should still be paying that homage seems to me an admission of weakness in our society and in ourselves as individuals.
"Marxism is not a dogma but a guide to action." This was stressed by Dr. Harold Silverstone, Wellington District Secretary of the C.P.N.Z. at the third exec-sponsored lecture this year. The essential modernity of Marxism was shown by Dr. Silverstone in his discussion of the importance of the later period of Capitalism. Marxism is no static philosophy, but, being dialectic, was concerned with change. He quoted Goethe: "Theory, my friend, is grey, but eternally green is the tree of life." The theories of Marx have been developed and added to by Lenin and Stalin in the epoch of Imperialism.
Marx was no arm-chair philosopher; he referred to the Paris Commune as the "storming of the heavens" in token of their heroism. Engels, as his collaborator, dealt in detail with similar matters.
In the Soviet Union today students are trained primarily as citizens, and it is interesting to us that those students attending lectures are only under obligation to attend them in their first year.
In reply to a rather naive question from the floor the speaker stated that the difference between the governments of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany is this—the State is the organ of the ruling class and in Germany the government represents a small group of capitalists whereas in the Soviet Union the government represents the people.
Among the evergreen students of Marxism the "Salient" reporter saw Messrs. Riske and Miller, who both made their characteristic contributions to the discussion.
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"Send out Salient, the swift satiric point To smart the sluggard mind awake. While freedom anywhere in bonds is pent, No compromise with falseness make. Those freed today, tomorrow forth must leap. Some further outpost there to take and keep." (Quoted in "Salient" editorial, 18/3/39 ).
"Salient" is an organ of student opinion. Does this necessarily preclude a knowledge of facts in its editorials? In the issue of April l4th the editorial, after sweeping through educational history in ten lines, says:
"So with the W.E.A.—a workers' educational scheme, but how many workers attend the lectures? Take any census and you will find that 75 per cent of the attendances are by bourgeois intellectuals."
Your readers may be interested in the statistics for Wellington for
According to your editorial writer all except the first category are "bourgeois intellectuals."
The report for
Not being on the staff of "Salient" I do not know whether or not Messrs. Hayman and Witherford are justified in saying that "original material has been excluded from 'Salient'," but I must agree with them in their description of "crudely presented overseas propaganda which has the effect of damaging those causes it purports to further"—and many others with whom I have discussed the matter think the same. In this respect there seems to be in the College, at present, a small group, very, very anti-Fascist conscious, who are making a lot of noise, and who, having deified Russia and all she stands for In their own minds, are trying by the use of much tiresome propaganda to bring the rest of the College to worship with them. However, possibly that is away from the main point, which is a suggestion that there may be more student support for Hayman and Witherford than was inferred by editorial comment on their letter.
May I express my appreciation of your leader "In Place of an Editorial"? This brief article says more than a whole issue of "Salient" devoted to this subject could possibly say. Quite apart from filling one with an overpowering nausea of disgust, it shows only too clearly that the German soldier has proved himself no better than his brother beast-in-arms, the Jap. Such conduct is not bestial—the beasts of the field at least obey healthy, natural instincts—the behaviour of these debased forms of humanity is such as to defy description. And to judge from the stories broadcast from Berlin as attributable to the Bolsheviks, the German soldiers are perpetrating even worse atrocities upon their wretched Russian victims.
So which is the lesser evil: these appalling outrages or the just wrath of the over-run peoples when they have the opportunity of using a free hand' and a policy of "no quarter" against their tormentors? Are we to deny to these downcast, violated and helpless creatures their just revenge? We cannot shut our eyes to what they are suffering, but it almost seems we should have to stand by and witness the carnage that would follow. Sanguinary ideas, no doubt, but what action is sufficiently drastic to counterbalance these unheard-of brutalities committed by those who call themselves the "Herrenvolk" and their "yellow-devil" accomplices? A New Order in Europe? Maybe, but not until the over-run peoples have themselves been able to apply a policy of "no quarter."
Monday May 3.—Fourth talk on "How to Listen to Music." Mr. Parker on Keyboard Music. Room C6.
Tuesday, May 4.—Revue (In place of Extrav.). Biological Society, Excursion to Wallaceville Research Laboratory.
Wednesday, May 5.—Revue, followed by a dance till 1 a.m.
Thursday, May 6.—Undergraduates' Supper, Gym, 8.15 p.m. Gramophone Club, Music Recital, 1 p.m., Room C6. Early Keyboard Music.
Friday, May 8.—Capping Ceremony, Wellington College Memorial Hall, 8 p.m. Capping Ball, Majestic Cabaret, 9.30 to 3 a.m.
May 8 to May 13.—May Camp of the V.U.C. and T.C. Student Christian Movement.
Saturday, May 15.—Tournament Ball. Resignation of Warden (Prof. Gould) and Matron of Weir House.
Saturday and Sunday, May 22nd and 28rd. — Working Party, Mitre Flats. Last week-end vacation. Watch notice board.
Friday, May 28.—Debate: "That the Policy of 'Beat Hitler First' is unsound."
Club Secretaries ore responsible for notifying "Coming Events," c/o "Salient", or Henry Loeb, c/o Men's Letter Rack, regarding all club fixtures by Wednesday preceding publication.
This College owes an apology, in fact it owes many—not only to Wing Commander Nichols, not only to Dr. Richardson, but to the entire Air Training Corps for the way in which we spurned the proffered faith in our enthusiasm and interest. The evening was officially advertised, on the notice boards and in lectures, films had been collected and Wing Commander Nichols, a busy man, had given up his evening. Result: an attendance of twelve.
The fault, however, lay not entirely with the students. We are inclined to prefer information and publicity to be conveyed through our own channels. "Salient" was not informed—was the Exec.? To those who regard the apex or our academic pyramid as the froth concealing a good brew, injunctions from above to attend a talk receive a poorer hearing than enthusiasm from below. Had a little more consideration been paid to this, our wings might have been affixed, not with wax, but with webbing.
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A goodly gathering of folk were crammed into the music room on Tuesday, 11th, to hear Anthony Alpers talk about "Early Contrapuntal Music." Perhaps all the people had come from the Glee Club, which had just had a record attendance (you should hear us sing! Like nightingales! (?)) All the same, though he'd had only about five minutes to prepare it, A.A. had some really interesting material to give. This early music is fascinating stuff, and if we were a little moronic (or so Anthony evidently thought), we got the gist of some of the ideas. His records were first-class, and the names! You can spell them hundreds of ways, just as you can Smythe. If he had been a bit more definite in his statements, and assumed we knew a little more about music . . . but. then, those chants in fifths, and Palestrina! We didn't quite catch that crack about A flat, but we learnt a lot we didn't know before.
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"He is not drunk who from the floor can rise and drink again, but drunk is he who prostrate lies without the power to drink or rise."
"A highbrow is a person who looks at a sausage and thinks of Picasso."—A. P. Herbert.
"Science is
the systematic classification of experience."—G. H. Lewes.
(Ah, yes.—Ed.)
"
Not because of any extraordinary talents did he succeed, but because he had a capacityon alevel for business and not above it."— Tacitus .
"A smattering of everything and a kmowledge of nothing."— Dickens .
"Science seldom renders men dutiable—women never."—Beauchene.
"The first thing we do, let's kill all the laweyers."—.Shakespeare
"And honour sinks where commerce long prevails."—Goldsmith.
"Unless the people can be kept in total darkness, it is the wisest way for the advocates of truth to give them full light."—Whatley.
"Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man."—.Bacon
"Poor rogues and usurers' men, bawds between gold and want."—.Shakespeare
"
Lesser breeds without the law."
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Well, dear friends and country-men, you will shortly have passed into the ranks of those who have lengthened their names by several letters and who have more to enliven their walls than mere pictures. You will, moreover, have known the sweetness of a free ticket to Capping Ball and a toast at Undergrad. Supper. You will bear yourselves well in these things; it is therefore fitting that you be complimented. May your beards grow long and may you parent many children. Congratulations!
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"There ain't no justice in this land. Just got a divorce from my old man. And didn't I laugh at the Court's decision.
They gave him the kids and they ain't his'n."
Last year I circulated a questionnaire among a random sample of 22 Victoria College students—10 men and 12 women—with a view to investigating whether or not there are class distinctions in the College.
It was necessary to decide first of all the criteria on which to judge class position. I adopted from Davis and Dollard٭ Davis. A., and Dollard J. : "Children of Bondage." American Council on Educ. Washington D.C..
The majority of students replied that there are students with whom they could not associate on such grounds. The five who could were all men! The women apparently feel more insecure, and the need to tread more warily than the men.
In order to discover some of the specific factors preventing free association of students I asked nine questions. There was full agreement on two points: the first, that differences in style or standard of dress are of no account; the second, that differences of economic status or occupation of students are not important. However, economic status of students' families as reflected in the family's background and standard of living forms a barrier for six students. Differences in educational ability and background (e.g., school attended) are important to five women, and accent and language usage to two women. Concerning the colour question, two women are prejudiced here; and three coloured students who answered the questionnaire feel that their colour sometimes goes against them in making social contacts. The greatest division of opinion concerning differences are: firstly, personal habits (e.g., swearing, drinking); seven women and three men being affected; secondly, in standards of morality, seven women and two men being affected; and thirdly, in beliefs or ideas, four women and three men being affected.
From all the men there were only eight replies indicating factors which interfered with associating with other students, and all these pertained to the last three above-mentioned questions. Of the women's thirty-two such replies, eighteen pertained to these same questions. We may infer that women need to exercise more caution in their social contacts because they run a greater danger in regard to sexual relationships.
When asked if they thought there are social classes existing in the College, only three answered negatively, and these all men. Two other
Despite the fact that class distinctions are so widely believed to exist, no one was able to give a satisfactory classification. Students were variously sorted out according to academic attainments, occupation, nationality, financial position, and length of time spent at College. However, seven people agreed that there is a class called intellectuals, and five that there is another called full timers.
Is the result of this Questionnaire significant of general student opinion? Of course the greater the number of replies the more valid the results are likely to be. However, this sample of twenty-two students was sufficiently representative to make the validity of the results highly probable.
It appears, therefore, that there are social distinctions of some sort or another in the College. I would not interpret the results to mean that they are class distinctions in the true sense of the word.
When we talk of the upper, middle, and lower classes we generally have in mind distinctions based mainly on economic, occupational, and educational differences. Within each of these broad classes there are many sub-classes, based on such factors as differences in belief or moral standards.
Now, education is the instrument, par excellence, making for class mobility; insofar as a University is an educational and cultural institution, it is a melting pot for class distinctions. Further, the results of the Questionnaire indicate that the occupations of our students do not cause class distinctions. It was differences of beliefs—religious, political, etc.—and moral standards that caused most students to feel separated from some others. Thus I am led to the opinion that social groups within the College correspond to social sub-classes in wider society.
The parents of our twenty-two stu dents range in occupational groups from skilled craftsmen to professional men, that is, from lower middle to upper class. Inasmuch as a University makes for class mobility, some students are likely to face psychological conflicts in moving, especially upwards, into a class different from that of their own family. The questionnaire revealed that only five men, out of twenty-two students, are able to be quite mobile in university society. I would finish by saying that frequently class mobility is hindered rather by reticence on the part of the lower classes than arrogance of the upper classes.
Producer: Sgt. Buddy Langman, here to help us.
Music: Bob Vance.
Ballet: Moira Wicks.
Said he, If you are Vestals, it's because you've had no chance—I can see you're all ambitious by the charming way you dance.
Cast: Censored.
Producer: O. J. Creed.
A portly Roman Senator was sipping his Hock and Rye, when a classic Vestal Virgin caught his educated eye. . . .
Assistant Producer: Ruth Fletcher. Cast: Creed, Borthwick, Robinson, Hefford, Stone, Benge, Cakill, Hereford.
Stage Manager: A. V. O'Brien. Censor: See feature, Battle Behind Locked Doors.
Non-Stop Revue presents in rapid succession:
Opening Chorus and Ballet.
"Beer is Best" (Male Trio).
Solo Item (first).
"The Key to Your Flat."
Ballet, female, one only.
"Black Baggage," an alternative to "White Cargo."
Solo Item (second).
O.H.M.S., of special interest to Civil Servants.
Solo Item (third).
Spanish Burlesque (Finale).
For this relief much thanks.
Please Note:
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Undergraduates' Supper is the traditional tribute paid yearly at V.U.C to the year's graduates. It is the one show everyone is expected to attend. The Gymnasium, 8.15 p.m. Lively toasts and livelier replies will he interspersed with items. Thursday. Subscription. 1/6.
The King—
Sgt. M. L. Boyd, Pres., V.U.C.S.A.
The Professorial Board—
Reply— Sir Thomas Hunter.
The Graduands— R. M. Daniell.
Reply— P. Macaskill.
The Executive— Sgt. D. Cohen.
Reply— The President.
The Ladles— W. Rosenberg.
Reply—
Absent Friends— L. J. R. Starke.
It's not a pre-war Extrav. . . .
It's not a full-scale Procesh—but by Gawd, we're going to have a lot of fun, and this as where we're going to get it.
Non-stop Revue. Come and see why Buddy and Orm have been so hard to find this last fortnight. In the Gym., 8.0 p.m.
Second night of Revue, plus dancing upstairs until 1 a.m.
Undergrad. Supper.
You dislike the Staff? Good!
You dislike the Students? Good!
You dislike yourself? Good!
Come along to Undergrad. Supper and see 'em all mown down.
Upstairs in the Gym. at 8.15 p.m.
Graduation Ceremony in the Wellington College Memorial Hall at 8 p.m.
Capping Ball at the Majestic! 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets and booking at the Executive Room every evening, 5 to 7 p.m.
This Week's Double-Features.
"Twin Beds" safer than "Vanishing Virginians."
"My Son, My Son."—"It Can't Happen Here."
"The Girl from God's Own Country."—"Slightly Tempted."
Freshettes—don't let the grass grow under your Veet-
٭ ٭ ٭
"Freedom of the street consists of fredom to pass along it rapidly and unobtrusively, breathing quietly the while."
On being questioned, replied:
"Those questions in philosophy to which there is no answer are those questions in philosophy which ought never to be asked."
٭ ٭ ٭
"Too advanced for me."
[Standard low enough.—Ed.]
٭ ٭ ٭
"Er—no doubt, the—er—late Sir Ernest Rutherford would have—er— approved."
٭ ٭ ٭
"This slim volume . . ."
٭ ٭ ٭
"It stinks . . ."
[See LL.B.,
Activities of the kind vulgarly known as cultural have never been general at Victoria College, and what there has been of them would suggest that this is not wholly a matter for regret. A long time ago there was a Literary Society, and more recently a Phoenix Society (never properly resurrected or even cremated) has made various singed flutterings.
That interest in these clubs was confined to a small proportion of students does not seem to us either surprising or regrettable. There is no obligation on anyone to be interested in culture and very good reasons why one who isn't shouldn't pretend to be. Both as a subject for conversation and as a means of attaining notoriety it is inferior to other pursuits more popular at this College.
Less satisfactory has been the attitude of those who supported these clubs. It always seemed that their æinterests were decorative additions to their lives rather than the sincere expressions of personal problems and conflicts—that the pleasures they found in poetry were not very different from those offered by crossword puzzles.
There have always been a number of mildly intellectual and pleasantly cultural people at Victoria College, but too many of these have never failed to show how unreal æsthetic values are to them when weighed against personal vanity and political ideologies. "When one sees the horrible little demagogues who foam on our debating platforms and the solemn writers of incredibly bombastic and meaningless editorials posing as champions of culture one does not wonder that the attitude of many students of this college is not without its resemblance to that of the Nazi who remarked. "When I hear the word culture I release the safety-catch of my revolver." The words and systems of thought which possess these "friends of culture" quite effectively safeguard them against most kinds of experience, certainly against that known as æsthetic. Everything that cannot be fitted into a formula or cliche is excluded from their lives. Consequently their ideas do not bear any very real relation to their desires—and cannot be accepted as sincere.
To close this gap between students thought as students of Victoria College and their lives as New Zealanders, is the object of the Victoria College Society for Closer Cultural Relations with New Zealand, of which the affiliation to the Students' Association is pending.
To attain this purpose the society will do what little can be done through lectures and more or less intimate discussions which, for obvious reasons, will be concerned with literature rather than music or the visual arts. At these meetings we shall discuss any original verse or prose that members of the society may care to submit, the writings of other New Zealanders and of foreign writers who may have something to offer this country. It is easy enough to produce works which are ostensibly a reaction to the particular conditions of New Zealand life, but a national culture is not possible until this is done with a greater degree of spontaneity and integrity than is usual at present. The society, therefore, will have a negative function—to point out, where necessary, the absence of these qualities—and a positive one, to encourage the activities of those students whose æsthetic interests are not purely verbal.
If one declines to consider this wolf in Penguin's clothing as a glorified "slum-annual" and disapproves of the "Bulletin"—which called it that—in any case, it is difficult to know what to do. Perhaps it would be better to do nothing; to wait for the next, and the next, and so on, until a tradition has been built and there was real ground for criticism. But the reviewer cannot do this. He must break in where angels would keep out.
There are high spots, but there are more shadows; there is novelty, but a surfeit of slavish imitation; there is clarity and beauty, but there is a morass of bad expression. To cap it all there is an inexcusable amount of sheer botchy writing.
Anna Kavin, I fancy, is the writer who hits the high notes longest and with moat poise, and this in spite of a difficult, unnecessary form. When she mentions the ice on the telephone wires, falling in "yards of frozen armature" she is going places—quickly.
Sargeson is artistically depressing, as always, but I don't know that this gets him (or us) anywhere. You say to yourself, "Yes, that's true. I'd never thought of it that way before." But what the hell! You aren't any the better for thinking of it that way; you don't feel any happier or more deeply moved. In the end you leave Sargeson where you found him, in the depresaion, where he's been embroiled for the last ten years.
"Unto Us" is a remarkable piece of graphic writing; true or untrue It makes a yarn almost up to "Truth" exemplar, but its incoherence and volubility detract from Its finality. Similarly, Gaskell's Maori-boy hu-moresque loses grist from incoherence and slipshod architecture.
In the verse were some real excellencies. Most of it was forceful, clean and even graceful, but lacked warmth of phrase, warmth of colouring and warmth of emotion. Its beauties were those of the whitened manuka skeletons, rather than of the full-grown shrub.
Anton Vogt, as often, is lucky in striking gold from a baser metal. Poetry comes unexpected from round some of his angular corners. A. R. D. Fairburn and Isobel Andrews strike the lyre with dignity and skill.
To sum up, I place this "natural child" higher than his more legitimate brothers, the English New Writings, which are seldom so alive, intense and experimental. Being of the classic tradition, however, I should like to see more beauty of thought and expression, more warmth of colouring (New Zealand is not a drear prison-houase), more architecture of form—and above all I demand clarity of conception, lacking which all
•
I look to the new Commonwealth in which the dominant races will for
ge their brute achievements, and white, red, yellow and brown and black will stand up together, without sideglance, In the service the world.—T. E. Lawrence.
The Polish Government in London has withdrawn its request for a Red Cross investigation of the charges levelled against the Soviet Government regarding the alleged atrocities in the Smolensk area. It would have been better had the request never been made.
The question that is exercising our minds is that it is essential for the United Nations to remain united now. Division spells disaster. The future frontiers of Poland are under discussion, and to view these as from
The attitude of the free Polish Government to the Soviet Union, both of whom are our Allies, is serious, especially as the Smolensk allegations were first made over the German radio by Goebbels. This should serve to remind us that every man of the United Nations, high and low, is not necessarily fighting for us with the same wholeheartedness as we know the soldiers of New Zealand, England, Russia, America and China are fighting today.
We can help by watching ourselves and our country to make sure that we will not act as unwitting agents of Hitler and his Pacific friend Tojo.
It is with deep regret that Weir House bids farewell to Professor and Mrs. Gould, whose resignations from the posts of Warden and Matron were announced a short time ago. The Professor, owing to ill-health, feels obliged to give up those duties which he has hitherto performed so well.
Speculation was rife as to what the future of Weir House would be, but all doubts were set at rest when the Chairman of the Council, Mr. H. F. O'Leary, and the Principal, Sir Thomas Hunter, visited Weir on Sunday and addressed the residents. Mr. O'Leary informed the meeting that Mrs. Clausen, previously Manageress of the Cafeteria, had been engaged as Matron, but that no suitable person could be found to act as Warden. He then outlined a scheme whereby the duties of the Warden were to be assumed by a committee of five, to consist of Sir Thomas Hunter, Professor Wood (both of whom live close to Weir), and three senior members of the House. Sir Thomas amplified these remarks in more detail, and the Association were then left to discuss the plan. It was decided unanimously to adopt the scheme, and a ballot will be held to elect two members who with Mr. N. V. Ryder, the House President, will form this committee.
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. O'Leary for the work and attention which he has given the affairs of the House during the past difficult period. We are sure that all students at Weir will give the Warden's committee their confidence and support, and show that they can organise and discipline themselves until the end of the war, or at least until a suitable Warden can be found.
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W.E.A. lectures have started for this season. They will be held at V.U.C. and in the Trades Hall. The fees range between 3/- and 7/6 for a full course, depending on the number of lectures. A detailed programme can be obtained from Modern Books, Woodward Street.
China, India. Africa, Russia—4 lectures. Miss T. B. Maurais. Current Events—10 lectures. Mr. C. Quentin Pope.
Biology for the Citizen—10 lectures. Dr. L. Richardson and Mrs. E. Richardson.
Child Study—20 lectures. Mrs. O. M. Grenfell.
Literature of Australia and New Zealand—10 lectures. Prof. I. A. Gordon.
Russian Literature—10 lectures. Dr. N. Danllow.
Art and Temperament—20 lectures. Mr. E. C. Simpson.
Drama and Community—10 lecture's. Madame Maria Dronke.
Social Problems and Human Needs—20 lectures. Dr. E. Beaglehole.
Economics, with special reference to New Zealand—10 lectures. Mr. George Lawn.
Industrial Relations—6 lectures, Dr. A. E. C. Hare.
Music and the Listener—20 lectures. Mr. R. S. Parker.
Public Speaking—12 lectures. Mr. A. Eaton Hurley.
International Relations—10 lectures.
Prof. G. W. von Zedlitz.
For further information or to join a group communicate with Mrs. Mar
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"I don't see how force can prevent another war," said the Hon. M. Connelly (Otago) in the address-in-reply debate in the Legislative Council yesterday afternoon, when he advocated the taking of international action through the schools and universities to prevent war by educating children to appreciate the horrors of war and the benefits of peace.
He suggested the setting up of an International University Council to lay down a syllabus for that purpose. They should clear out of the history books all references which glorified and glamourised war. Mr. Connelly made it clear that his suggestion would require the co-operation of all the countries in the world.
Evening Post, Thursday, March 11th.
With the advent of winter the enthusiasm of the students has been diverted into different channels. Forsaking strenuous endeavours to hit one another with cricket and tennis balls, they have descended to the more effective though more primitive methods of kicking their opponents or hitting them with sticks, to say nothing of punching, elbow-jolting and even biting on occasions. In most of these sports, it is rumoured, a ball and a referee both figure, but not very prominently. It is all good, clean fun, however, especially for those who sinews figure much more prominently in their activities than do their intellects. Even in a University this type is to be found, usually congregated in clamorous groups in the well-known boarding establishments which contribute so much to the life of the College.
By far the most important event in the College's immediate sporting future is the hockey and basketball tournament with the other Colleges, which is to be held during the vacation on May 14th, 15th and 17th. To enable the tournament to be held billets are required, and everyone who can possibly help is urged to reply to the advertisement which appears elsewhere in this issue. Students should also roll up to all the games to indulge in the wild yelling and hoarse repartee which makes these events so enjoyable, besides assisting one's own team to glorious victory.
The weather man, as usual, seemed to associate Easter with Noah and his adventures rather than the New Testament, so several of the clubs were deprived of their usual beginning of season pipe-openers, but nevertheless hopes run high for those teams which are starting in the competitions this week-end, particularly the rugby club, which seems to have every prospect of a very successful season in front of it. If enthusiasm counts for anything they will be unbeatable. We wish them well.
Easter of
There were times, however, when the rain clouds above were resting before the next deluge, and the more energetic of the party wandered a mile or two up the river. I think they had ideas of shooting deer or something, but the closest anyone came to shooting anything was when Tony Chorlton let loose a couple of rounds in the bivvy.
Congestion is a word usually associated with Manners Street and such places, but the description could certainly apply to Waitewaewae at Easter. Sardines in a tin had nothing on the occupants of the bivvy—others overflowed into tents and temporary shelters. With conditions as they were, mud and slush inside as welt as out, but never mind. It all comes off in the wash.
Easter is over, and the excitingly tough or the decadent trips all came to naught. It was a pity, but we cannot grumble.
Although our committee, unlike the Hockey Club, has not yet descended to the doubtful policy of providing mixed practices to increase membership, a record turnout of twenty-three runners assembled at Weir House for our first run.
The dizzy heights of Tinakori Hill seemed rather steeper than usual, an impression which was strengthened by the hot sun and the fact that certain people still show an unnatural tendency to run uphill. However, by persuading the energetic ones that it was not advisable to run too fast on our first outing, we were all able to return to the welcome hot showers at Weir without undue fatigue. The excellent afternoon tea which Professor and Mrs. Gould provided was very much appreciated, and fully compensated for the more strenuous part of the afternoon.
Belmont was the scene of the second run, and our generous hosts were Mr. and Mrs. Barker. The field of twenty runners was divided into three packs, slow, intermediate and fast; but there seemed to be a great deal of dissension on the question of how slow the fast pack should run. By using Fascist methods our club captain denied his pack a little rest under the trees on the top of the Belmont hills, and led us down through dense gorse to finish with a run in along the Western Hutt Road. Once again we were rewarded with an extensive afternoon tea, and it was a party of tired, overfed and very contented harriers who returned to Wellington.
Would any student having or knowing the whereabouts of copies of the following plays belonging to the Playreaders Library please communicate with the secretary of the Dramatic Society per the letter-rack: "Love on the Dole," "The Chartist," "Villa for Sale."
The boat chugged into the bay, almost displacing the wharf, and six strong V.U.C. men tumbled off. Then plunging into the depths of Gollan's Valley and struggling up the Wainui, we spent a pleasant half-hour eating. Ah, Wilderness, was the weather fine? B——marvellous!
In the company of numerous fan-tails, we hit the valley, but finding Baines Hut in a state of occupation, we found a small manuka flat—mar-vellous. The stew was dirty yet pure—it is doubtful whether the same can be said for the camp-fire conversation.
Next day, five stalwarts set out to climb Matthews. Leader Yen of course knew not the route, but at least had the decency to produce a compass from his hairless chest. The view from the top was breath-taking, and the sun shone to such an extent that Arnie and Doug bared their chests to it.
Then an exhilirating run down a 1,000 feet shingle slide to the valley and vegetable stew. Then home—a week-end superb.
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It is pleasing to witness the revival of the old V.U.C. Rowing Club, which has of late been performing so meritoriously in local regattas. The four has managed to secure creditable placings in its outings and we have no hesitation in saying that they would undoubtedly have done even better had the fields been made smaller to exclude those energetic bounders who so obviously rowed to win and not just for tre sake oil the sport. The cads!
Rowing is a sport whose adherents attire themselves in indecently inadequate costumes, perch perilously on sliding seats, which unlike Varsity benches are cut to the figure, and venture forth in ingenious plywood contraptions to flail the water with baulks of timber, presumably in an endeavour to catch fish by stunning them. To this end they strain their guts by rowing like the hammers of hell in one direction while steadfastly gazing at where they have just been. For all this some of these gentlemen have even been heard to make derisive noises when talking of trampera.
We can recall the day when the V.U.C. eight led the others home in the annual tournament and if the club continues to function as we hope it will, then we will certainly witness such an occasion again when the successful completion of the war permits of such pleasant gatherings.
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The Soccer Club has already appeared as an unofficial V.U.C. team in a friendly game against an outside club and performed very creditably.
Without any practice, without proper equipment and, we suspect, without much idea of what it was all about, the team played against, the "Grey Cabs" A team and drew 4-all after a very exciting game. Varsity was actually leading until the last 30 seconds. This very successful beginning under such handicaps augurs well for the future, and it is to be hoped that others will come forward to assist this young club to maintain its early promise. All those who wish to share in the future glory of this band of stalwarts, should sign the list on the notice board or communicate with Sig Gruber by means of the students' rack.
Most V.U.C. students last year were too busy with International affairs to do much talking about them. That's why nothing was done to call any meetings of the International Relations Club during
Attention of students is drawn to the fact that books in the library with the club's bookmark may be borrowed over and above the two books allowed by the library regulations. A wide range of titles, presented by the Carnegie Corporation, is available.
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