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"The Barrier is Broken," announces streamlined English paper, "Student News," "and British and European students now have direct communications." Fairly effervescing with exultation, a recent copy of this paper reports on student incidents in Belgium, France, China, and many other countries. We reprint extracts of interest from some of these columns.
"The biggest difference from the point of view of the National Union of Students is that suddenly, instead of a great wall separating us from Europe, we have postal communications and free universities sending us news. We have contact with the French and the Belgians, we have laid the basis for contact with the Dutch and we are hoping to do the same thing soon with the Norwegians."
A copy has just been received in Britain of the first legal paper of the students of Ghent, Belgium. The paper, which has been appearing illegally since 1942, is called "Klokke Roeland," the name of Ghent's greatest bell, rung in national emergencies.
The Paper Opens With A summary of student life during the whole period of the occupation. It tells how students exposed the Nazis who tried to dominate their organisations, set up illegal groups and published tracts and journals of resistance. Flemish and Walloon students each had their organisations, while at the same time, after the first illegal meeting in Louvain during the session of
Then follows a series of General Directions from the National Students Group which we are quoting, for they exemplify the student's conception of his task in liberated Europe.
"For Three Years we Have principally had to concentrate on the struggle against the occupier and his accomplices; now we can work at a constructive task. 'Klokke Roeland which is the expression of our wishes, will from now on work on these lines. Already the format of our paper is changed. In spite of being far from settled, there is a real improvement on our illegal numbers. We hope that our monthly will in a short time 'appear on a good quality paper and that its presentation will be worthy of the student world.
"But there is more; we are happy to announce the fusion of all the illegal groupings of this University. 'Tijl,' the opposition paper which was especially distributed in the faculty of medicine and in the technical schools, has come to a complete agreement with K.R. to produce a joint monthly paper, so that all uncoordinated action and all possible misunderstanding may be avoided."
The article continues to elucidate various points for emphasis. Most important of these is its article four, which states:—"We strive towards the re-organisation of university life on a democratic foundation. Therefore a programme must be drawn up in close collaboration with our professors... and submitted to the Rector and Government. For the realisation of this plan, co-operation with other universities is necessary. We therefore strive towards a general federation of students in Belgium."
The fifth point is equally important:—
"We co-operate with the Belgian tribunal to purge our university. The N.S.G. communicates all information given by students to the appropriate administrative and legal authorities. The complete purge of the country is, however, a duty. If this does not happen, sinister elements will resume their undermining activity and cause a world catastrophe to break loose over us."
"Guns Spluttered Before the great closed doors of the Ministry, which were guarded by armed men. In the courtyard inside, men of the F.F.I. mingled with their comrades of the National University Front, with graduates, teachers, professors, civil servants, students and schoolboys. Some of us stood by with loaded guns, while others worked in the office with the heads of the Department, issuing orders against traitors and collaborators, and appointing trustworthy men and women to responsible posts.
"During this time the telephone and the courageous cyclists who defied tanks and roof-top snipers to carry despatches to other parts of the town, kept us informed of the serious events taking place in the four comers of Paris. The Pavilion de la Reine at Vincennes was burning. The curators signalled that the roof of the Louvre was being fired from and there was a danger of the museum being invaded. They appealed for immediate. attention. There was firing in the. Palais de la Decouverte. An attack from alongside the National Library was feared. It was necessary to defend the precious volumes within... We had to telephone to the Chief of Police, to the F.F.I. Commander, and the General Delegation.
"The young officer in charge of the Ministry's military affairs busied himself with preparations for a sortie and at the same time arranged the evacuation of the general officer. Outside we could hear the tanks in the Place de la Concorde and the Military Academy firing on the Senate House, and we could hear, too, the first murmurings of General Leclerc's American Army on its way to support the valiant F.F.I. who were
"Then the procession along the Champs-Elysees when, together with his staff, M. Wallon, Secretary for Education, passed through the cheering crowds, while General Leclerc's army and Allied planes might still be heard. There followed a week of great and exalting work. We were planning huge undertakings. During this time an extraordinary meeting took place in the Ministry. The Head of the University of Paris met and got to know all those in his charge. Greetings were exchanged between all the University groups of the National Front, and M. Wallon, their delegate, who had never turned his back on danger, but, even when hunted down and suspended from office by the Gestapo, had chosen to remain in Paris preparing a vast plan for the reform of learning. This plan alone could repair the chaos caused by successive Vichy ministers. Students of the various resistance bodies met and made firmer ties than they had ever known before. And yet more wonderful was the reception given to the students by the central administration. In the past much suspicion and misunderstanding had existed between them.
One manifestation of this new understanding was the reception given on the 30th August to 1,300 members of schools and colleges who came on foot from all over France to acclaim M. Wallon, and sing with him the Marseillaise."
General Editor: K. T. Fowler.
Sub-Editors: Margot Hogben, Cecil Fowler, Peter Wilson, T. G. L. Cockcroft, L. Paul, R. Lynch.
College Editor: Bruce Milburn.
Reporters: Margaret Beattie, Vicky Fussell, Miss Chapman, Bernice Knapp, Alec Mcleod, Peter Jenkins, Eric Hall.
Sports Editor: P. G. Mullins.
Assistant: Bill Ord.
Advertising Manager: Stan Campbell.
Circulation: Ralph Bene, Herbert Orr.
Press Bureau Correspondent: Beverly Morris.
Permanent Rouse-about: Dave Cohen.
Published fortnightly by the Victoria University College Students' Association and printed for them by The Commercial Printing Co. Ltd., Boulcott Avenue. Wellington.
We would draw attention to considerations of general policy which make it inadvisable to put in hand the negotiations for the building of a Students' Union at the present time.
The Building Committee's specifications for the Students' Union are not bold enough. There is reason to expect an extremely rapid increase in the roll of the college. It will probably number over 2000 students in three or four years time.
The specifications are obviously limited by present circumstances, and most seriously by the objections which the government must have in giving its support to an ambitious project. The conversion of the Students' Association's credit into capital would strengthen the forces tending towards inflation, and would jeopardise the government's stabilisation measures. The probable attitude of the government is indicated by the cessation of public works, except for the construction of hydro-electric plants. It would be reluctant to subsidise a scheme which would put a lot of money into circulation and would draw heavily on labour and materials. Not only is the cost of building very high, but the proposed site entails very massive and expensive foundations. If the Students' Association waits until a time when it can expect more public support, it will more easily raise the funds to meet the cost of building, even if it is still as high, and it may be able to obtain a better site. The area between the biology block and the bowling green, for example, would be more satisfactory from the point of view of construction, and it is large enough for lawns and trees to surround the building.
Finally, while the government is as conscious as it is of the urgency of the housing problem, we cannot count on much support for the building of a Students' Union.
P.S.—Wherever the Students' Union is built, we should keep the common rooms in the main college building as well as those in the Union building.
On examining the list of Extrav. officers, I was surprised to see that the duties of Interval Organiser and Social Controller were coupled.
When Rex Collin and myself drew up the draft of the present scheme for conducting Extrav., we created a new officer—the Interval Organiser—a post quite apart from that of the Haka Party Leader, which was mainly a matter for Weir House. The function of the Interval Organiser was to fill in the gaps between scene-shifting. It was ordinarily intended that he be put. on an equal footing with the other Extrav. producers. He was expected to acquire a script, organize and rehearse a cast, and produce some kind of acceptable nonsense which would have continuity—in short to emulate the excellent production put on by Jim Winchester, Ray Hannan and others some years ago, which, to my knowledge, has never been equalled. In this case the cast had no other duties—their job was to produce a show which was as important in its way as the main show. A special dressing-room was allocated to the cast and costumes and make-up were available. Close co-operation was necessary between the Interval Organiser, the Haka Party Leader, the stage manager, and other members of the back stage staff to ensure that the timing was correct; the script was adjusted accordingly. The result was infinitely better than the ragged hakas and the ancient toilet paper gags usually imposed on a long-suffering audience. Many members of the audience were spontaneous in their praise of this new innovation.
I hope, sir, you will forgive me for being somewhat long-winded on this score, but I think it is necessary to point out that the Interval Organiser was not intended to lead hakas or dispense the usual "corny" stories.
Some of the old hands who participated in the organisation of the first interval entertainment are still about, and I think they should be contacted as soon as possible and a cast organized at the first Extrav. casting meeting.
In closing, I should like to stress that this letter is not intended as a criticism of any person or persons. It is simply an explanation of what our aims were when the position of Interval Controller was created.
If criticisms of films are to be made only in the hope that someone will start an argument, then "Salient" might well use the space for some better purpose. Your film critic, if he is able, should at least give students an idea as to whether they should see the film concerned. The criticisms in your first issue are to my mind just a waste of space.
The low rating given to "Summer Storm" is unworthy of your critic's intelligence and does not do justice to the film concerned. The story is by
May I make the following points:—
There were at least two reasons given other than that "Degraded" quotes for having film reviews in Salient.
May I be permitted to express the extreme concern I feel over any plans for a Student Union Building. The possibility of this year's freshers witnessing the laying of the foundation stone strikes terror in my heart. Having observed, for the past fifteen years, the ever-increasing hoards of freshers who storm our portals annually, I have been regretfully forced to the conclusion that they summarise the inellectual decadence of the youth of this age. It is not the adolescent neuroses of individuals that I object to, nor the wet-behind-the-ears smugness that typifies their conversation, but the sight of these nauseating intellectual pigmies in bulk is what revolts me. Studying en masse, one may watch their mental droppings thicken the already fetid atmosphere of our common rooms, their brilliant babblings crush the remnants of lucidity from our debates, their pompous prognostications drive insensate those few of our lecturers who still remain normal. Far from the provision of luxurious housing for these cretins, the most strenuous efforts must be made to prevent their gathering together in any one place at the same time.
Trusting that all building plans will be immediately abandoned,
"Marshal Tito," By Michael Padev, does much to dispel the mystery surrounding this great leader and his heroic army. It is no weighty tome a la Gibbon (that is left as a fascinating study for some future scholar) but a sketch of the man, his background and his achievements. In simple, lucid style his history is told, his policy discussed and his portent estimated.
Few people here realise that for 20 years before the war Tito had been fighting a dangerous but resolute struggle against the tyrannical rulers of his country. His five years in prison (where he underwent savage torture), the "railway" by which volunteers were smuggled into the International Brigade, the underground work in Yugoslavia led inevitably to the great task of liberating his people from a foreign oppressor. The progressive coalition began organising their revolt immediately after the fall of Belgrade. At one time the partisans were engaging more German divisions, than the British Army. The truly democratic administration of the liberated areas, the solution of the bitter racial problems, his wise and patient handling of the treacherous Michailovitch are touched on. The book is interspersed with eye-witness accounts of the indescribable barbarity of the Nazis. Some people prefer not to believe such facts. They should at least know of their existence, as presented in these moving pages.
"Youth" on the cover is stated to be the voice of progressive young people. The word progress is nowhere defined in the journal, but the voice of young people i3 only too obvious. As any criticism coming from a university is probably liable to be suspected of patronage it should be said at the outset that this review is an attempt at honest criticism of what, in theory, is an excellent publication.
However, the theory has not altogether been carried out in practice. It may be concluded that the first number is largely experimental, and it is to be hoped that certain flaws will be eradicated. In the first place the cover sets the tone of earnest radical youth which tends to nauseate a representative of youth who hopes that it is not necessarily years which bring dignity.
Affronted youth castigates Mr. Alan Mulgan, untruthfully stating at the beginning that it is not a personal attack, although where doubts are cast on the subject's journalistic experience personalities seem to appear. While some of Jack Smith's comments might be perfectly Justifiable they are quit" inconsistent with the standard of alleged literature provided by the two short stories.
It is kindness to suppose that the staff of "Youth" were short of copy, and two of the joint editors were forced to whip up some last-minute space fillers. However, both these young writers could well learn something, even from the mediocrity, but nevertheless fluency, of Mr. Mulgan. The "stories" have no plot, construction, character incident or grammar to hold the reader's interest. They appear to be vaguely modelled on Frank Sargeson's work, but end up like primary school somethings which even Isobel Andrews would hesitate to tell. If this is the trend that New Zealand literature is taking, it is just as well that overseas publications are still available to us. Certainly the stories have the grace of simplicity, but where this is carried to such extremes it becomes imbecility.
Nevertheless, the journal as a whole shows definite promise. If the general obscurity of the writing were eliminated, and more articles on the straightforward lines of those presented by E. Rewiti and Dr. Alice Bush were included, the publication would have more force, more dignity, and probably a wider circulation.
In conclusion, I would suggest that "Youth" be strongly supported by the young people at universities, with no suggestion of imagined superiority derived from alleged higher education. Until university students can take their place in the community in full co-operation with others of their own age, they will always be a class set apart by their own artificial and often futile theories. "Youth" is an excellent vehicle for overcoming what is rapidly tending to become pseudo class consciousness.
This is really a most amusing film. I'm beginning to wish there were a sort of half-way grading, because it deserves more than 3 stars, but doesn't quite rate 4. Based on the characters in the famous Czechoslovak book "The Good Soldier Schweik," the film is one of those English things about outwitting the Nazis. Usually these are quite inane, if not actively dangerous in their presentation of the Nazis as ineffective morons. "Schweik" sets out to be satire, and succeeds rather well. And after all. you're not supposed to believe that these adventures really happened.
There's something rather Dickensian about Schweik. The advertising bills him as "The Cockney of Prague," and, absurd though this title is, it has some measure of truth in it. The acting in this part was rather delightful. For a beautiful bit of humour, I give you the Nazi dance performed at a party given by the local party boss.
The film hangs together rather better than most English films, and, rather remarkable, the dialogue has very good continuity. The weakest spot, I think, is the opening and closing of the film with a cheap song, rather reminiscent of the very early German musical films. You should see this movie, but remember, it is satire.
Britain, home of the finest documentaries, has turned out one of the very best yet made, both from a technical and a social viewpoint. The film is so revolutionary that it is difficult to believe that it was made by the British Government. I hope it means what it says: if so the future for Britain and the world is more than promising. World of Plenty will be screening shortly at the College. See it.
Punctuated by the stomps of the "Salient" staff daisy-crushers upon the floor above, the Drama Club provided the first function of the year on Wednesday last. About 60 were present. The freshers sat decorously in the centre, while the rest reclined on the outskirts and guffawed at the lewd bits.
The standard as a whole was quite fair, although a bit more passion may have helped some of the players. Dick Campion had the gem of an Irish brogue in O'Neill's "Anna Christie," and, although his movements tended to be somewhat jerky, his was, in my opinion, the best character acting of the evening. He was very ably supported by Edith Hannah.
In the Shakesperian selections. Pat Hildreth was not at her best: "The Taming of the Shrew" suffered from being read, but otherwise was quite well handled. "The School for Scandal" was done well, and presented very amusingly. Geoff. Datson appeared to considerable advantage here. "The Importance of Being Earnest" was rather flat, and only the wit of Wilde saved it from being very poor indeed. "F6" did not once come alive. The Coward piece was brightly done.
Altogether quite an auspicious start—let's hope it stays that way. Functions of the Drama Club, the programme tells us, will be held every Tuesday, and Please watch the notice-boards.
Tuesday, April 13—
First of Social Committee's weekly Lunch-hour Dances.
Friday, March 16—
Debating Club Film Showing and Debate.
Saturday, March 17—
Inter-Faculty Sports. Athletic Club.
Sunday, March 18—
Catholic Student Guild's Social Evening, St. Patrick's College, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21—
Special General Meeting.
•
The C.U.C. Drama Society sent us their Touring Company at the end of January. Because of the railway strike they were not expected and there was only a handful of students to meet them on the Sunday morning. On the Monday, however, there was a Civic welcome and by Tuesday the Executive and the Dramatic Club were ready to welcome the Players with a luncheon at the College.
The President congratulated them not only on their productions, but also on the credit they were bringing to the University and to their own college in particular. We sat back and mentally basked in the reflected glory of University culture and C.U.C. student enterprise.
Professor Gordon on behalf of Sir Thomas on behalf of the College Council gave what he called an undress address—he had launched his full scale effort at the Civic welcome on the previous day.
Miss Marsh replied that the important part of their tour was not that they were playing Shakespeare, but that the first grade one Touring Company originating in New Zealand should come from the University. She told us what a lot of assistance was given by the bit players and courtiers without even speaking parts who had a trying time and received none of the credit.
A handsome Naval Christmas Card from Lt. John Cope, R.N.V.R., shows that he is on H.M.S. Illustrious. John is remembered as a New Zealand Blue.
Flight/Lt. Ross Thompson, at VUC from
K. L. Cox, R.N.Z.N.V.R., thanks the Executive for chocolate. He sends news of Peter Maplesden and John Heyhoe. Peter was taken ill just after he arrived, but is better now and carrying on with Scheme B. John Heyhoe is going for a commission in a technical branch, namely, Radar. He is possibly at Collingwood in Portsmouth. Also mentioned is John Freeman, now in London.
Geoff Coleman received the parcel of chocolate, also a copy of "Spike" and the occasional "Newsletter" of 'Varsity doings. Geoff is now aboard the "Dromede." Jim Seator, sadly-missed opening bat for University, is in the same Mess.
Vic. Husband sends thanks for chocolate and good wishes to the Association. He hopes to be home soon.
The most enjoyable picnic sports meeting of the year will be held on Saturday, March 17, when the inter-faculty sports will take place at Kelburn Park. The meeting is an all day one. but the main events, including a men's mufti race, and for the first time, women's athletics, will be run during the afternoon. No charge will be made for admission, and every able-bodied student is expected to enter for at least one event. Be There!
Recently questioned on the progress of the Examination Fee Protest launched last year, Mr. J. B. C. Taylor, president of NZUSA, stated that further representations had been made to the January meeting of Senate. The deputation was well received, but the Senate declined to answer the students' questions until the legal points now before the Court were settled. The NZUSA vs. Senate case will probably be heard at the close of the Court of Appeal sittings.
Lyell Holmes, for the students, said how glad they were to get the opportunity of meeting V.U.C. students. At other colleges they did not come into contact with the student body. As an old V.U.C. man himself (
The C.U.C. players had another opportunity to meet students at a dance put on for them on the following Sunday in the gymnasium. Here there was a very convivial spirit abroad, and we found that the exalted literary atmosphere arising from their close association with Shakespeare did not prevent their enjoying simple student pleasures. We heard whispers of earlier parties, of vodka and such, and we felt that Wellington had done its best to make them feel at home.
It is worth mentioning that those of us who went along enjoyed "Hamlet" and "Othello" modern dress or no.
Chairman of the Debating Club, anti-denticular Stan Campbell, recently disclosed that activities commence from March 16, 8 p.m. Once more to the breach, platform-giant Benny O'Connor supports that most controversial of motions, "That this house approves of General Scobie's intervention in Greece,'" while opposing him is Jim Winchester, who plans a second debut after an interlude of some years.
In conjunction with the Progressive t Club and by courtesy of the American Office of War Information a selection of films will be shown from 7.15 to 8.0 each debating night. "Prelude to War" is the first of the series called "Why We Fight."
March 23 heralds the Training College team, the subject to be announced later. The film this night—"Divide and Conquer." Questioned, the chairman says: "It is to be hoped that this innovation will appeal to students—that they will be behind the debating club to make
July prospects include a Drama and Debating Week centred in Wellington—teams representing all colleges will assemble—Joynt Scroll for orators; one-act plays for actors.
Meantime, speakers taking part in two-thirds of debates become eligible for "The New Speakers' Prize;" "The Union Prize" and "The Plunket Medal."
Until then, Friday March 16 holds priority—speakers from the floor are welcome—supper is provided.
Towards the close of
Do you Want to Take up Journalism? Perhaps you have cursed loudly the lack of facilities (or a lecturer) at VUC for the course "Principles and Practices of Journalism." At the present time this course may be taken only at Auckland and Christchurch, a most lamentable state of affairs, as there are undoubtedly many would-be journalists in Wellington who, for various reasons (e.g., impecuniosity; devotion to present duties; invalid mother), are unable to attend Auckland or Christchurch.
Here is the news. It has been proposed by Mr. Ridling, Principal of Wellington Technical College, that a lecture course on the Principles and Practices of Journalism be held at Technical College. The carrying out of this suggestion depends almost entirely upon the number of prospective students. Mr. Ridling has, we understand, a lecturer In mind, who is competent in this particular field.
If students have been interested enough to read so far, they may be still more interested to hear that fees will be in accordance with ordinary Technical College regulations. That is, for those under 21 years of age the fee is £1 per session, and £2 per session for students, over 21. Any person who has not already had five years' post-primary education may take the course free of charge.
As yet this noble suggestion is rather in the air, but it will certainly lead to something if sufficient interest is displayed. A notice has been put on the 'Varsity notice board requesting any student interested to write his name on the list. Either that or communicate direct with Mr. Rldling by 'phone.
Under the new University Entrance accrediting scheme, a liaison officer was appointed between each of the four Colleges and the post-primary schools in the area. At VUC Mr. A. H. Thom is doing valuable work in bringing the schools into closer contact with the University.
Relatively unknown to present senior students, he is an old acquaintance for this year's freshers, most of whom he has taught, advised or listened to in his trips round the schools. On his first visit of the year he discusses with the school staff the progress of their ex-pupils at Victoria. Later he comes back and talks to those intending to go to University, advises them on their courses, answers questions.
In the college he keeps an account of the school and university work of every student. The cards filled in by new students of this year will serve as a record of the product of each postprimary school in the district. Those going to other colleges from schools in the district are included in his files by a reciprocal arrangement with the other liaison officers. Mr. Thom particularly asked that those who changed their course would inform him, so that the cards should be filled in correctly.
The post-primary schools have welcomed contacts with the university, which in its turn, is interested in the work of the schools. "My job is everything that is implied by liaison," said Mr. Thom. He compared it with that of an army liaison officer, whose task, although unspectacular, was valuable in maintaining personal contacts between units. He bridges the gap between the two phases of education, enabling post-primary pupils to see clearly the function of the university, their teachers to watch their further progress, and the university staff to co-operate with the teachers in an integrated educational scheme.
Asked if he thought his work was succeeding, Mr. Thom replied "Yes. I was particularly pleased with the number of students and parents who came to see me, during February, for advice and information. It is too soon yet to say whether the talks on planning courses have been productive." The number of questions asked by intending students about university courses was a revelation.
Mr. Thom stressed the point that he was always available to give advice to students, "anybody at all, 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, 4th year, who wants to chew over problems of university work, is always welcome."
At their meeting on 13th February, it was agreed by the Executive that a blood donor's group at the college is both desirable and practicable. A motion to that effect was carried and the Medical Scheme Committee was nominated to organise a campaign. A series of talks by a doctor specialising in blood transfusions is suggested. Further details will be posted on the main notice board.
In the north west corner of the main building will be found the cafeteria, a student effort owned and controlled by the Students' Association Nearly £200 has been spent over the long vacation period improving facilities but the manpower shortage is still bad and it would be appreciated if students would remember to carry their dishes back to the slide. Mrs. Shillson, the manageress, would welcome any who feel up to giving a little occasional service behind the counter. An honest ten minutes at the sink earns a free meal—this applies particularly to full time students, male and female.
The following marriages are announced:—I. C. McDowall (Sec. of the Students' Association) and Gwen Chamberlain; K. T. Fowler and Gecil Crompton (Editor and Associate Editor of "Salient"); R. A. Anderson (recently returned from overseas) and Shirley Grinlinton (Records Officer). The hope is expressed that these new domestic arrangements will not affect the general social usefulness of these students.
Extrav plans this year are faced with a serious obstruction. It is usual for Extrav to take place on the four or five nights preceding Capping Day—this year May 4—unfortunately the Opera House has already been booked for the three weeks preceding May 4 by Miss Raine for her School of Russian Ballet. The Executive has hopes of coming to a satisfactory agreement with Miss Raine. If the Calendar had been issued at an earlier date this unfortunate clash could have been avoided.
Tentatively announced by the Social Committee is the following social programme for 1945:—
Reports Have Gradually been reaching the outside world of the persecution of students in the four Japanese controlled provinces of the north-east; 2,700 students were arrested at one time for suspected participation in banned faculty societies. More than 100 students were sentenced to terms of imprisonment ranging from six years to life sentences; 600 were retained without sentence. The food shortage in the north-east is acute, but students are forced to work on the Imperial Army highways, and to march in the triumphal processions staged to celebrate Japanese victories.
In April over 6,000 students and professors of various universities in Pieping and Tientsin were arrested. The fate of many of them is unknown. The whole purpose of the Japanese is to demoralise the guardians of Chinese culture.
A Report On Higher Education in the Soviet Union stresses that, despite the restoration of 127 colleges after enemy occupation, and the building of 52 new ones, there are still not enough graduates for the country's needs; 454,000 students will be attending college this session, and it is proposed to increase these to 600,000.
It has become a tradition of long standing among Soviet students to help prepare their premises for the new year. This year the Moscow Institute for Electrical Engineers prepared over 500 beds for the dormitories and helped cabinet-makers fashion tables, wardrobes and other furniture. Students of the Leningrad Polytechnic, whose building was damaged by artillery bombardments, are learning building trades, and under the guidance of experienced masters are working to restore the college.
In November, An International Youth Conference was held in London, and was attended by young people of twenty-nine different countries. Here the World Youth Council was founded, and a Call to Action to the youth of the democratic world was drawn up. This Call, which declared that young people everywhere are fighting not only for the defeat of Fascism, but also for the four freedoms, ends: "Forward for our future. Unite. Fight. Attack. Win." This has become the basis of WYC work.
It acts as a link between the Youth Movements or the United Nations and their supporters, and helps to develop friendly co-operation and understanding between young people. Its methods are educational, and it forms a clearing house for information about young people of different countries, providing them with contact through perodicals, bulletins, the press, radio, international conferences, and the exchange of delegates.
Since its foundation, 42 young people of a further 16 different countries have joined the Council. Latest delegates to arrive in this country have been from Yugo-slavia and the U.S.S. It., both of them former students. A delegate from the French youth is expected shortly.
The WYC observes two events annually—the World Youth Week, a week of special youth effort and international understanding celebrated during the first week of Spring, and International Students' Day.
The Immediate task of the new Executive, which is to be elected shortly, is to make provisions for a -World Youth Conference as soon as the European situation permits. Delegates from all over the world are expected.
•
Those people who turn up their noses at the world might do well to reflect that it is as good a world as they were ever in, and a much better one than they are ever likely to get into again. Set the grumblers to work and alter it.
Underthe impetus of war, Australian universities have undergone a minor revolution. Faced with the need for an adequate supply of trained scientific and professional personnel the Federal Government realistically faced up to the problem of universities in wartime. In February, 1943, the Universities Commission was set up under the Federal Minister for War Organisation of Industry to assist and advise the universities in the fulfilling of their wartime tasks. The main activities of the Commission have been to arrange financial assistance for students in "reserved" faculties and to act as a liaison between the universities and the Manpower Directorate.
Students accepted by the universities and approved by the Manpower authorities for entry into "reserved" faculties—medicine, dentistry, science, engineering, agriculture, veterinary science—are exempt from direction to any other form of national service including conscription into the armed forces. The occupation of the "reserved" undergraduate is that of "student." It is his form of national service.
The number of "reserved" first year students is arrived at after consultation between the scientific and professional advisory committees of the Manpower Directorate and the universities concerned. Reservation after the first year continues if the student's work is satisfactory. In addition to the "reserved" faculties some students are reserved in all stages in the "unreserved" faculties of arts, law, commerce and architecture.
A scheme of financial assistance to students was introduced with the establishment of the Commission. This has enabled highly qualified but un-financial students to undertake university courses which would otherwise be closed to them. Much wastage of talent has been eliminated by this measure which gave assistance to 1,600 students in the first year of its operation. All reserved students in any faculty are eligible for financial assistance. Recently the Government approved the extension of the scheme to women students taking the Diploma of Social Studies and to students in certain technical colleges.
Assistance is given under a means test. Students whose parents are not in a financial position to give any help receive the maximum assistance of £104 per annum (if living with parents) or £143 per annum (if not' living with parents) together, in each case, with payment of university fees, and £10 towards the purchase of instruments.
To entitle the student to the maximum assistance, he and his parents must not, together, have an adjusted income for the last financial year of more than £-250 per annum. The adjusted income is found by taking the full taxable income and deducting £50 in respect of each dependent child under 16, other than the student. No deduction is allowed for income tax, insurance premiums, etc. The amount of assistance is reduced by £5 4s. for every £10 by which the adjusted income exceeds £250.
Students receiving assistance are required to sign an undertaking to continue their studies until graduation and to be available for national service, if required, for not more than three years afterwards.
Under the Rehabilitation Training Committee the Government has also set up a scheme to deal with the training of discharged ex-service personnel. The scheme is much the same as New Zealand's enabling approved discharged service men and women to undertake full time university courses.
Although the University Commission was set up under the National Security Regulations which lapse six months after the termination of hostilities, the National Union of Australian University Students is hopeful that the Federal Government will continue the scheme of assistance into the peace.
—For the information in this article ire are indebted to the National Union of Australian University Students.
Students will have read that the Hon. Mr. Justice Smith was elected Chancellor of the University of New Zealand at the Annual Meeting of Senate held last month in Wellington. This followed on the retirement of the Hon. J. A. Hanan who had held the position since 1935.
The President of N.Z.U.S.A wrote on your behalf and offered the congratulations and best wishes of the Student Body to the new Chancellor, who replied as follows:—
" Dear Mr. President."
Thank you very much for your letter of 7th instant extending to me the congratulations of the Student Body upon my election as Chancellor of the University."
The knowledge that I commence my duties with the good wishes of the active young men and women who comprise our Student Body is an encouragement to me and I reciprocate the wish that we may all find opportunity to work for the benefit of the University as a whole."
Again, many thanks and all good wishes to the N.Z. University Students' Association.Yours sincerely,(Sgd.) D. S. Smith."
The new Chancellor has had a long and distinguished career in the legal profession including appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court in
Usually, that is, generally speaking, to take a specific case, we find that cartridge brass may frequently, but -not always, in many instances, fail owing to season cracking, but this is not always adhered to.
However, due to hitherto redundant factors, other things being equal, circumstances may crop up where we find exceptions to the rule quoted above. This is not always the case, but we can, broadly speaking, say, with some certainty, that these generalisations are not generally to be relied on. although some authorities specifically state that the reverse is the case.
Well, we'll let it go at that today.
•
Do not think of knocking out another person's brains because he differs in opinion from you; it would be as rational to knock yourself on the, head because you differ from yourself ten years ago.
An important decision taken at the recent meeting of Senate laid the basis for an early establishment of a University Press, mooted for many years. A special board is now constituted, its functions to make regulations for the conduct of the Press, to consult experts on technical matters, to frame estimates for the cost of publication of approved works, to consider publication of original works, and to submit a comprehensive report to the 1946 meeting of Senate.
The Board, which was granted up to £500 for preliminary expenses, consists of seven members, three from Senate, three from the Academic Board, and one co-opted member. Appointees for the Senate are: Sir Thomas Hunter, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of VUC; Prof. James Hight, Pro-Chancellor and Professor of History at CUC; and Mr. J. H. E. Schroder, Chairman of CUC Council and Associate Editor of the Christchurch "Press." Other members have not been appointed as yet.
It would appear that the Special Board has power to make all ready for operation of the Press early next year, subject, of course, to approval of
Last year the Progressive Publishing Society set up a sub-committee to place several proposals before the University Senate. The proposals covered the publication of text books, lecture notes, theses and periodicals; publication of general scientific works; the printing of special material for research organisations; and incidentally the indenting of text books. The Society suggested its relation to a University Press as distributing agent. These proposals were submitted to the Senate, which deferred full consideration pending their full meeting in January.
A new planet has swum into the ken of 80 university students, including 25 from VUC: the
Tournament means much more than a collection of sporting events. It includes indoor sports, such as elbow raising and Tournament Ball, and it is the only time of the year when students from all six Colleges can meet in an organised manner. Easter 1945 will offer an opportunity to make up for the enforced semi-isolation of the last four years in a triple invasion of Auckland that will make D-day look like a Sunday School treat.
Hakas, one sport at which Victoria always excels, need energetic rehearsal, so watch notice boards for times.
This year will see an additional extension of women's events besides basketball, as it is hoped to include some amazons in the athletic and miniature rifle contests.
The following are the numbers of representatives in each sport: Athletics, 2 for each event; Swimming, 8; Boxing, 1 in each weight; Tennis, 12; Rowing, 8; Basketball, 9.
In addition it will be possible for some non-competing supporters to travel, but get moving smartly, transport is still the major obstacle.
If, in the next few weeks, you see two rather perplexed young men crawling round the college grounds in the small hours of the morning, or doing a fan dance with a sheaf of papers and a typewriter, treat them gently. They are the Exec. Tournament delegates.
Although the average attendance at club nights over the season has been twenty, the steady comers number about ten. Of these ten, only eight are near tournament standard. Unfortunately the tournament team is eight, which means that we will have to send not the pick of the bunch, but the bunch.
Because there are probably students in the College who do not realise how good they are, we are listing below some events together with times. Anyone who can equal or better the times should drop "Salient" immediately and rush for the nearest swimming bath. There is not much time left to train.
Men's events: Freestyle, 25yds., 14 sec.; 33 ½ yds., 19 sec; 100yds., 70 sec.; Backstroke, 33 1/3 yds., 26 sec.
Women's events: Freestyle, 33 1/3 yds., 23 sec.; 50 yds., 36 sec.; Breaststroke, 100 yds., 100 sec.
The club has had some financial success lately, having collected trophy orders at the Hutt and Te Aro carnivals.
Club nights will continue until the end of March on Wednesday nights except for March 21, when there is a Special General Students' Meeting. On Tuesday March 20 there will be a visit to the Hutt Club.
Club Captain, B. B. Hands (44-114).
Secretary, G. S. Bogle (45-012).
With the probability of an Easter Tournament there arises the possibility of a certain amount of criticism of the method of selection of the representatives; consequently the committee feels that an idea of the standard required from anyone desirous of consideration as a tournament representative should at this juncture be made clear for the benefit of new members, who, next year, may have the honour of playing for the College. Above all, the selection committee demands excellent sportsmanship, which means more than being a good loser; it means loyalty to the club during any lean times which may arise; it means putting the College Club before one's personal gains—there are players in the VUC Club who have worked to treble the membership during the past four years when there have been no tournaments to assist them in their task of recruiting. Secondly, the committee has kept a sharp watch for likely talent and if there are any players who feel that they have been overlooked it is because, during the past three seasons, they have not shown sufficient keenness to play at the club on Saturdays. At the same time, the fact that students are away from Wellington for the greater part of the season is taken into consideration.
The Exec. announce that: Owing to difficulties of transport, Easter Tournament may be held in Wellington.
By arrangement with Miss Raine, the Opera House has been booked for Extrav on April 21 to 26, Anzac Day excepted.
The Inter-Faculty Sports Meeting will occupy all of Saturday March 17, and recent weeks have shown feverish activity on the part of the club committee and supporters generally. Kelburn Park this year will see women competitors as well as men, with four events for them to contest. Except for a few top-notchers, standards will not be high, but large fields are anticipated.
The club now boasts three provincial champions and has good representation by R. Blick, G. Bogle, J. E. Drummond, J. Goldfinch, I. McDowell, A. H. E. Munden and D. Tossman in the Wellington team at the National Athletic Championships next Saturday.
The willing help of Mr. Jacobson, ex VUC, of Rongatai College has been of great assistance to the club in massaging and coaching tournament prospects during the last few weeks. With his help, the team will show up well at Easter, although there is still a serious lack of competitors for field events. Here is a chance for a trip to Auckland so come and do your best at the Inter-Faculty Meeting.
Secretary, J. Drummond (46-546).
Come on, Fresliettes—wake up! Only three Freshettes came to the annual general meeting on Thursday. Don't forget that Freshettes of
This year the club has had an early start, and Tournament is looming large of the horizon. Up till now practices have been held in the gym., but we are moving to St. Joseph's outdoor, floodlit courts in Buckle Street, from 7 to 8 p.m. on Monday nights.
Nancy Bullen, ex-varsity player, was our coach last year. The club wishes to thank her for her splendid efforts with the teams and extend her every good wish in her new position.
Mrs. Gorringe has gallantly come to our rescue. If VUC does not cover itself with glory at Tournament, it certainly won't be Mrs. Gorringe's fault.
The basketball season opens on April 21, so Freshettes, don't stay at home swotting every night. Come along to the basketball practices and get those cobwebs blown away. You don't wish to become blue stockings (wear black ones). If you wish to know more of our activities ring Thea Muir, 26-410, or Norma Henderson, 26-180.
The club poster on the notice board is carrying a number of new names. This is good, and you are welcomed. Rowing, especially at weekends, will be organised for new members at once. In the meantime, the emphasis is on the training of the eight, which goes to Auckland for the tournament. The crew is rowing in the early mornings, and last weekend, in good water and pouring rain, twice rowed the distance. One member of the crew,