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This article is long delayed in appearing, for reasons both within and beyond our control: but perhaps it's only after freshers have been here a while they will appreciate the question. . .
This was one of the main questions naked by Mr. Braybrooke when, at the request of the Students' Assn. he spoke on the attitude of the students to the university.
Our attitude might be more clearly seen if we considered why we students come to the university. This in turn raised the question of what was a university and university education.
Various ideas have been expressed as to what happens here. Some have said that university education conissts in casting imitation pearls before real swine—and there is something to that. Far too many students regard their function as that of blotting paper, and hope merely to sop up a few facts and opinions sufficient to enable them to extract the desired tickets to a better-pair job at the earliest possible moment. While we cannot disregard the need for a certificate, we must realise that there is much more to university education than the acquisition of mere technical competence.
The so-called crisis in the university is, in Mr. Braybrooke's view, partly due to this diploma ticket view of the place. One remedy is for students to change that state where all they look for is marks and that piece of parchment. Ceasing from narrowing one's vision in that way will enable one to gain a broader and deeper view of the university. The student will wake up to all that is going on here, and realise that the more he participates in both study and leisure activities, the greater will be the measure he achieves of the fullness of the university.
What does this mean as far as the subjects studied are concerned? The first thing a newcomer here will notice is that he is not, as it were, held by the hand and taught as at school. He sees less of the staff than at secondary school. He is exacted to do much more on his own initiative. Why is this?
Further, some students may be moved to ask', "What do the staff do with all their spare time?" A very proper question.
The answer to this will be found to contain also the answer to the first. The staffs job does not consist merely of lecturing, They are engaged in their several ways in the disinterested pursuit of knowledge in their chosen subjects, sometimes characterised as the search for truth. This is not an easy matter. They are so engaged so that they will, be the better able to pass some of their findings on to the students and inspire them to the conviction that the things of the mind are worth devotion that knowledge is more to be desired than gold. But the student's function in this business is not a passive one. Unfortunately an amazing number of students do resemble blotting paper, particularly when some lecturer is doing his utmost to strike a spark from them. But it should not be like that This university education is a co-operative active process the meetings of the minds of student and teacher. Mr. Braybrooke admitted that this was an ideal view of university activities not always realised in practice. But he emphasised that this desire to meet students on common ground was general among the staff and that they were willing to give of their best to the genuine student. It's also up to the students to do their part and the horrible barrier of excessive respect, which seems to be a hangover from our school days, must be broken down.
There is also the question of the student's view of the world about him. Mr. Braybrooke quoted a writer who said that this is an age of the intellectual organisation of political hatreds. The genuine student will then give earnest thought and attention to, for example, political matters. We students should go out into the world prepared to examine the facts at any cost. A student will be a stranger to mere uninstructed political passion.
Further, the sporting and cultural clubs which abound in the college own not an idle existence. Here, as before, it can be said, seek and ye shall find". Take part in all that you reasonably can. Mr. Braybrooke does think that it may be questioned whether all clubs take their jobs seriously.
Anyway, students would do well to take the advantage which is now available of discussing the things that interest them with others. You will be surprised where it will lead you.
There is one thing more to be said about university education. The two strands, study and leisure, can be woven into one fabric. A pattern can be given to our lives if we each will seek it here. If we do not we are so much the poorer.
The Dean of Students of the University of California was asked by a visiting professor from a small Eastern college who was overwhelmed by the hordes rushing around the tremendous campus at Berkeley: "How many students have you here?"
'About one in a hundred," was the reply.
Can we at V.U.C. improve on that ration?
When the presses were about to roll on "Salient" issue six, came the following dismal telegram from "Salient's" despondent Special Correspondents on the rain soaked Christchurch front:
"Spoon Again Easily But Won Breaststroke Dowse Discus Lissienko Double Sculls. . . ."
Vic was about to bring back from Easter Tournament,
When our reporters have had time to drag home from the South after the defeat and pound the typewriters, the full story (a little worn and threadbare in the telling by now) will be printed in "Salient."
The post mortem will be held in issue seven next week. Meanwhile for a possible explanation, see the article "Runner Mortis" on page four of this Issue.
At its A.G.M. last week, the Socialist Club elected the following officers;—
Patron: Mr. F. L. Combs. Vice-presidents: Messrs. A. H. Scotney, J. Platts-Mills, J. Bertram, President: Mr. G. Goddard. Secretary: Mr. B. Spolsky. Treasurer: Mr. D. Foy. Committee: Miss King, Miss C. Clee, Messrs. N. Hillard and F. Gawn.
Following a detailed report of the club's activities in
It was decided to send a letter to Mr. Evison, thanking him for his past work in the club.
Miss Martin, who had an opportunity to participate in the conference of R.S.L.F., gave a brief talk on the activities of the progressive student clubs in Australia.
It should be mentioned that the non-appearance of the Treasurer gave some cause for alarm, but he eventually arrived, and was able to give a financial report. (A motion to take this as read was mislaid by the Chairman.) The club's finances had not profited by the Treasurer's absence, as there was a debit balance of 3/-. Mr. Lissienko saved the situation by donating one rouble which he had been given by an overseas organisation. It was accepted with thanks. (Much ribald comment.)
Mr. Gibson recommended the activities Peace and Anti-Conscription Federation to the club's notice while reporting on its past activities.
It was suggested that a committee to further the organisation's aims be set up in the College. Since the programme of the Federation was considered rather narrow, a new name was put forward for such an organisation, to wit, Civil Liberties Society. As the main object of the organisation was to campaign for Peace the new name was not accepted, and it was finally decided to form a Peace Council. Dr. T. Kaiser of Public Service of Australia was the subject of the next motion. While in England doing post-graduate research he was dismissed from his employment on the permanent staff for participating in political activities, although the reason for his dismissal was not stated to be for this reason, nor for any other reason. The following motion was passed:—"That this organisation protests strongly against the S.S.I.R.'s termination of the appointment of Dr. T. Kaiser without sufficient and fair reason being given and against any such action having the appearance of political discrimination against civil servants." This was to be sent to Mr. Menzies.
The meeting closed with a showing of the Carpenter's film, "Fighting Back." Some 50 students were present.
This issue is due to appear on that date of the casting meeting—that is, April 13. Extrav is now—we understand—due to haul up the Opera House curtain on the night of Friday, May 12. This allows four clear weeks for rehearsals, wardrobe, scenery building, props, and aU the other miscellaneous preparations for an Extrav.
We have had less time before, but a month is not too long to get a decent show ready, even with such a competent producer as Dave Cohen. Unless there in a large throng there at casting meeting, in fact, it will be a very little time.
You are likely to see the "Bods Wanted" sign stuck all over the place from now on. Get in straight away. There must be something you can do to make the thing work, so get over to that meeting: rehearsals will be on every night from now on.
To what extent should any service rendered to the community—however intangible it may be—have to account in balance sheet terms for its working? To what extent is the success of one of these services measured in terms of an excess (or otherwise) of receipt over expenditure?
The present Government appears to have little doubt that most everything can be assessed, ultimately, in terms of £ S D. This "practical," "commonsense," "businesslike" attitude is praiseworthy insofar as it makes for a close oversight of public finances. But there is a rather important question which emerges from the welter of party recrimination. If a service is unable to "justify its existence" in terms of a profit, then what? Is it to be liquidated? Or is it to be pruned "away until the resultant niggling has taken the inspiration and drive out of it?
It affects students very strongly, because we are in an institution which can't assess its contribution to the public welfare in profit and loss terms. The whole education system is unable to do so—more broadly, the things which are least able to justify their existence to a "businesslike" government are the values derived from learning, the more theoretical sciences, the arts generally. It appears that these are most likely to suffer. So far the university system hasn't come under fire, but there has been more than a broad hint that education expenditure will have to be held, if not cut. This with a shortage of 200 teachers, heaven knows how many classrooms, packed and antiquated university buildings, and the crying need for special facilities for special education from the spastic and backward child to the brilliant post graduate specalist!
There could be no worse example of materialism than a group of men applying the principles of running a grocery shop to the affairs of a civilised community. One does not usually try to estimate the warmth of a young man's love in British Thermal Units, but the Government attitude is shifting rapidly that way. As a "practical" suggestion to the Government on the high cost of the National Orchestra, as an example, perhaps a saving could be effected by charging the audiences the same amount but giving them less for their money—the four movement Eroica instead of the five movement Pastoral, to mention only Beethoven: or perhaps increasing the charge of the concert according to the total number of bars played?
The standard of conduct at VUC dances has tended to improve in the last couple of years. In fact the college authorities have at present no complaints about the state of the college grounds during such functions.
However, a small minority has lately tended to act irresponsibly in adjacent property: fittings such as croquet hoops have been removed from Kelburn Park, beer bottles have been left around—usually broken into small pieces. The carefully kept turf has been cut about by this glass, and by people knocking it about generally.
Now there are three or four objections to this. In the first place it deliberately increases the work of the greenkeepers who have as much right to respect for their labour as anyone else. In fact, such hooliganism comes ill from the college, many of whose members have so often and so publicly proclaimed their support for the ordinary citizen or member of the working class as they are pleased to call him.
Secondly it damages the good name of the college. In the third place, it indicates that there are personal deficiencies in the willpower and character of the perpetrators. A university should lead them rather to self control in their own interests and the interests of society. Lastly, this sort of conduct (looked at from a selfish point of view) endangers our relations with our neighbours and the Park Con. trollers, the City Council. It is not suggested that the Council be slavishly adulated and appeased on all occasions, but such foolish actions, having no claim to a basis of principle are cause for unnecessary inconvenience.
Therefore for these reasons, an appeal is made to those responsible to act in a more adult and responsible way in future. It would be unfortunate if the Police were called in by the Park authorities to control the matter, so students are asked to behave more sensibly if they have been responsible, and to attempt to reason with others who may not heed the printed word.
I note with concern that there is a report over the imprimatur "JNJ" in your last issue which calls a meeting, falling which "the virility of sports at VUC may suffer for years to come."
I ask you, Sir, who are these "sports" whose virility will suffer? Are they Weir House men? I do hope not. It strikes; me, that fission products may have something to do with this sorry state of affairs.
I hope that this matter of declining virility will be taken up at the highest levels, as it seems a terrible fate for any young man.—I am, etc., unless drastice action is taken,
Not Likely to be Mother of Eight.
(Since the meeting has now been held, the writer's fears are unlikely to be realised: we suggest that in thanskgiving and as a practical gesture to help VUC sports, a tittle extra work would give us another cricket team.)
I must apologise to Jiminy Critic for misquoting and drawing inferences which he did not mean to convey. Both these were reprehensible although unintentional errors. However, there remains the point at issue—internationalism. Perhaps, I might catch JC's "conclusion on the bounce" by quoting my comments: "The idea (MRA) is far bigger than internationalism anyway."
In commenting on JC's review and his conclusions—i.e. possible international hatreds—I added more information which had little relation to his criticism of the play itself. By indicating what is behind the move-rent I had hoped to show that JC's conclusion is non-existent.
Further to that: the MRA movement has as one of its major aims, the fostering of international understanding and world unity. During the past fifteen years it has worked in about 20 countries and in some cases has Improved international relations—not the reverse. Time will show whether or not MRA will provide the genuine internationalism which JC and most of us would like to see. Nobody can deny that at present there exist international barriers—mainly attributable, I think, to misunderstandings and opposing materialistic ideologies. MRA aims to remove them.
In my attempt to explain (in as few words as possible) the one thing that MRA fights as evil, I was guilty of stigmatising materialism. This 'was perhaps because of my ignorance of any genuine good that materialism can achieve.
I have no wish to re-open the question of the existence of God: far better minds than mine have not reached finality. I attempted to point out that in the MRA movement there is a fundemental belief in God—in guidance by the will of God at all times, come triumph or disaster.
Perhaps JC and I will continue to differ on the reality of his conclusion, until world events prove one of us wrong.
(This correspondence is now closed. Ed.)
This apologia could easily be divided into two sections, one of which, the theoretical section, la very small when compared with the practical or constructive section. Since one is the source of the other it is important to see whether the theoretical section is sound. If the theory is in error then the successful application of that theory is at once imperiled. This is important and cannot be too clearly stated. If the theoretical basis of Communism, even as one of its lesser and English apologists understands it, is fallacious (I admit he alone may err), then the practical implications which would require the creation of a classless society based on a materialistic philosophy are perhaps not practical at all.
So in the first chapter (p. 11) the author divides philosophies into two classes: the idealist and the materialists. He then erroneously equates the position of the idealists with that of the Idealists, i.e., those who consider that outward objects exist only in our minds, that we give them their existence. On this idea he pours scorn as absurd as though this is the only non-materialist theory. His dismissal of the case for the anti-materialists is therefore ineffective and his attempt to establish the case for the materialists is that much weaker, since he has only considered a minor non-materialist theory.
His case for the materialist view rests on the unproved assumption that there is no reasonable theory which is not materialist.
Finally the author begins to apply his theories to practice and at once becomes more discursive, but even so makes some curious statements for a Communist. At p. 28, for example, "The economic basis of the future society is the common ownership of the land, mines, factories, railways and all other means of production that makes possible an effective plan." Does this mean total socialisation or not? Taken in conjunction with this at p. 104, "How will the small producer fit into this general pattern," and at p. 100, "The major productive sources of the nation will be common property"—it would seem as though it does not. In the end, even allowing for the transitional stage to Communism, the position is clouded with doubt.
Here and there more curious statements focus attention on the not always apparent utopianism of the Communists. This is a pretty sentiment: At p. 34 he insists that colonial peoples (without any qualification) be allowed to govern themselves "here and now." I cannot understand this unreal attitude any more than I can understand the mind of a man who can write this at p. 131, "But it can be said (speaking of the war) that Socialist society against the best the capitalists could produce out-generalled the enemy, fought with better weapons and proved itself ... to be far stronger than capitalism." This statement ignores so much—Lend-Lease for example—as to be as absurd as this gem—at p. 99; "If there is an unpaid mortgage on it (the house) it will be cancelled."
Any criticism of this book is itself open to criticism in that Mr. Gallacber is no philosopher and probably hardy an accredited Communist, apologist of standing. It is my guess that Penguin Books chose him as a figure rather than an expert.
I would not pretend to criticise the maze of facts and figures which form such a large part of this book. There is no doubt in my mind that Capitalism needs trenchant criticism and reform both as to policy and methods. My objection to this book is based on the grounds that its errors are fundamental. A careless philosopher working on an erroneous thesis may be a careless critic even if sincere and zealous. Certainly if his philosophy is based on careless and unproven dogmas then his practice is very likely to contain all the seeds of impractical and eventually disastrous consequences. The same results must follow if his philosophy is in fact the Communism of the Marxists.
St. Patrick's Night saw the upper gym 1/25 full while the Debating Society set sail on another year. The secretary meandered through the Annual Report to the accompaniment of snores, rudely interrupted by the public washing of some society linen. Our long-held suspicions were confirmed that last year's best debates probably took place in the privacy of the committee room.
Election of officers resulted as follows:—
There followed some highly impromptu debates, during which: The thought of playing with a King revolted Mr. Bollinger. Mention of dribbling reminded Mr. O'Connor of the presence of Mr. Curtln, whom he then called upon to speak.
Mr. O'Brien didn't know what went on in the Middle Ages, but thought we ought to ask Mr. O'Connor, "our oldest living undergraduate."
Mr. Goddard wanted to know, if chivalry was not dead, but only sleeping, who it was sleeping with.
Someone told us about his experiences while "riding his bicycle innocuously round the Duke."
The opening debate of the year will take place in the Gym on Friday, March 31, 8 p.m. Subject: "That Socialism in the Western Democracies has had its day." We warmly invite all freshers to come and see what goes on. You don't have to speak, and it's more fun listening sometimes anyhow. To old debaters—come and show 'em how it's done. Supper is provided.
The inter-Faculty Sports Meeting held at Kelburn Park on Saturday March 25 was notable for the somber of records broken (eleven), the high standard of performance in most events, and the encouraging form displayed by many of the younger students. Another pleasing feature was the large representation from the Massey College Athletic Club.
In the men's events, Dave Batten, as was expected, dominated the sprints and impressed those present at the meeting with his quick starting, easy action and powerful finish. Vic O'Leary, W. Eea and D. Hawke should benefit by their runs against Batten. All three showed promise of better performances next season. If he learns to run in a more relaxed manner, Dave Chatterton should become the next National Junior Sprint Champion. Incidentally, even though Easter Tournament
The 440 yards was marred by unnecessary jostling, and several of the runners had their chances spoiled by competitors not observing the rule that you cannot cross in front of another athlete until you are two yards ahead of that athlete. However, both Jack Moir and Jim Ross showed a better appreciation than the older students of what is required for success in the quarter mile. Jim's chief fault at the present is his slow start, and until he learns to sprint out at the gun, he will continue to find his task a lot more difficult that it need be.
Much of the interest was taken out of the 880 yds and 1 mile Championships by the withdrawal of Gerry Barnard, Wellington mile titleholder, who was indisposed. The win of John Riseborough in the half was a fitting reward for an athlete who has performed well for the Club in open handicap meetings. The three miles saw an outstanding performance by the Massey College athlete Derek Turnbull, who competed the distance in the VUC record time of 15 mins 4.5 sec. Derek is a worthy successor to Clem Hawke (a member of the
Next season Victoria should have a fine bunch of hurdlers headed by Ken Langdon, who should make things interesting for the Empire Games representative L. R. Smith of the Hutt Club, over the 120 yds hurdles. John McLevie, Bunnie Honiss and Ham Nimmo should concentrate on Improving the hurdling technique and increasing their speed between the hurdles during the winter months and early next season. In the field events, John Connell (broad jump) and Iuen Hyslop (high jump, hop, step and jump, and javelin) showed improvement, a result of the coaching of Gerry Barnard.
In the women's events, Wellington's top athletes Barbara Hill and Helen Burr left the impression with athletic officials that they had had enough for the season, and this has been reflected in a falling away in the standard of their performances in the last three of four weeks. Valuable acquisitions to the Athletic Club should be Colleen Pearce and Alison Williams who both ran very freely in the two sprints. Like other women athletes in Wellington, the Vic girls would be well advised, if they wish to progress in the sport, to follow the example of the Auckland provincial representatives. Misses Dowman, Rowe and Hart by training and competing regularly, and also by obtaining plenty of rest, especially on the eve of an important meeting.
In conclusion, judging by the performances at the Inter-Faculty Sports Meeting, the public of Wellington can look forward to the meeting between an Australian Universities team and athletes from Victoria-Massey next March. John Treloar. Edwin Carr and several others of the Australian Empire Games team have expressed the wish to come to N.Z. as the guests of the N.Z.U. Amateur Athletic Council.
Cruising along the corridor betwixt 5 and 7 the other evening your sporting scribe could not fall to be impressed by the new figures and faces on display. It appears that the number of permanent undergraduates so long a perennial feature of VUG'S gloomy caverns, is dwindling, possibly due to the extra commercialism of the college office of late.
But scorn them not! Ye trembling expellates of high school or colleges! They were indeed a sturdy if at times unsteady band of hope for the green and gold.
Yes there were people, many of them with numerous academic qualifications who were prepared to enroll for odd subjects year after year simply to make themselves eligible to participate in College activities—those activities which so many freshers and near freshers manage to completely by-pass during their College years.
"I don't know a single person at Vic," Is the querulous and oft-repeated plaint of the nominal student He knows not because he does not trouble to' seek fellowship in the places where it is to be found—the sporting and cultural clubs of the College.
So, how about it you beardless and bosomless freshers—enlist now and grow old in the service of any of VUC's clubs.
Despite the fact that Tournament is looming close it is quite apparent that the only, athletic trophy V.U.C. could win is the
There is no constructive coaching in the club; indeed, it is very doubtful if there are any competent coaches at all. Most of the athletes are lazy in their training—had Dave Batten been fit at the Empire Games he could quite easily have gained a first as well as his third. If he doesn't get a wrigfigle on he might find himself getting beaten by inferior but fitter runners.
Another natural athlete who should realise that some training is necessary for a peak effort is Helen Burr. Last year she was easily the best consistent jumper in New Zealand; practically every time she competed she topped the bar at 5ft. Now she is lucky if she gets over 4ft. 9in. She has good natural ability, but a little more effort and a pair of running shoes are necessary if she wants to help Victoria to get points.
Barbar Hill is another N.Z.U. champion who will have to get over her apathy if she wants to get a place in the sprints at Christchurch.—It must be several weeks since she donned a pair of track shoes.
Not all members of the club are resting on their laurels. Lately three average runners have been given prominence in the local papers. These three, Gerry Barnard, John McLevie, and Ian Brewer, are all only average performers, but by sheer grit and hard work have, won races from better runners. It is about time that track athletes realised that at least ten hours a week of hard work are required in order to reach a reasonable standard, and all sportsmen and sportswomen might remember that "we should all get fit to train, not train to get fit."
(Unfortunately this was received too late for our tournament issue, but toe print it here as toe feel-that it is of considerable value as a guide to understanding tournament results.)
Tramping Club Agm.: The names should have Seen R. Knox and A. Pierce, not N. Pierce.
The Annual General Meeting of the Photographic Club is to be held in the Biology I lecture room at 8 p.m. on the night of Thursday, April 13.
This
The annual general meeting of the V.U.C. Harrier Club was well attended and the following officers were elected:—President, Mr. Dixon; the standing vice-presidents were elected en bloc with the addition of Clem Hawke, captain of recent years, and now, incidentally, a Cambridge Blue; John Holden, club captain; John Manson, vice-captain; Toby Blundell, hon. secretary; Mac Matheson, hon. ass. secretary; Alistair Hall, Ken Hancock and John Risborough, committee men; Bob Hunt, coach.
There was a pleasing number of new men present, and we hope that they and more of their kind will attend the Wellington Centre's opening run on April 15, and more particularly the club opening on April 22. We would remind old and new members that the Centre opening this year will entail a "run-in," so get some preliminary Jogging done to guard against that Initial stiffness.
The first race will be the Club's home race which will be held as Usual on the Saturday after Capping Ball! The first major event will be the Masterton Relay on June 10 and a ten-man team will be required to run the 70-odd miles. The Hello-polls Cup should again be well within our capabilities. Be it noted further that we hope to send a team to Christchurch for the Akaroa road race, as well as to Dunedin for Winter Tournament
The inaugural meeting of this body was held on Tuesday, April 3. Despite opposition from a Tournament reps. meeting, eight clubs were represented, and all seemed enthusiastic and constructive.
It was decided that as several clubs were not represented, owing to the lateness of the Tournament doings, no action would be taken on the Student. Union consideration meanwhile, but at the next meeting each club should bring its requirements along, preferably on paper, and they will be discussed, co-ordinated, and delivered to the Exec. in a bundle. Two matters discussed were the personnel of the committee and its legality. It was decided that it should consist of secretaries or other authorised persons for all clubs in the college. The legality of the committee, is assured as if necessary it can become a "society" by name with a membership totalling the sum of those of the clubs concerned.
The next meeting will be held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18, in the Lower Gym, or if Extrav takes it, in "Salient" room.
You should have a rep. there for your club. If you have queries, please contact the sports editor or I. B. Bennett through the Men's Common room rack; they will give you the low down, high up, or anything else you need.
Published for the Victoria University Students' Association and printed by the Standard Press, 25a Marion St. Wellington.