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Salient issues for the year 1957 were printed with vol 20. Issues for the year 1956 were also printed with vol 20. We have encoded 1957 issues as they were printed despite this mistake.
"Unless there are many major alterations to the proposed plan of action, those who join the College in
"It is very much hoped that the working drawings will be ready in time to allow for the calling of tenders and preliminary work to be done in readiness for a start to be made on the building later this year."
This statement followed the glad news announced a fortnight ago that the Government had approved the sketch plans for the building, and agreed to increase its subsidy of the project to £2 for every £1 collected by the College with a maximum grant of £100,000 in the first instance, and in the second instance a subsidy of £1 for every £2 collected by the College with a maximum of a further £15,000. Authority has also been given to raise moneys by loan. The building will cost just over a quarter of a million pounds.
Plans for a new Student Union Building at this College have been discussed on and off over the last thirty years. One look at the decrepit Gymnasium (the dirty cream wooden structure on the south side of the tennis courts) will convince the meanest student of the need for a slight improvement in the standard of student amenities. Compared with Students' buildings in the other three university centres, we stand shamed.
A Students' Building Committee was set up by the Students Association in
This levy began at 4/- per head, and rose slowly until last year, at the end of a wordy battle, it became £1 per head (which accounts for the apparently large sub of £3,5/- which you are now paying).
The plans for the new building are kept at the Students Association Executive Room, and are open for inspection by students. The building is to be two full stories, plus two half stories, and will occupy the space at present occupied by the tennis courts—with a grand view northward over the city and harbour towards the Tararuas.
The basement floor contains only a gymnasium. The ground floor has the Caf (a big one, with a severable dining room) Students Association offices, and a Games Room (for indoor sports). The first floor is chiefly taken up by the Common Rooms—a large common one, and slightly smaller ones for the respective sexes, though all are connected by folding doors which can be thrown back for gala occasions. This floor also contains an excellent Little Theatre, with ail necessary attachments,—its upper reaches extending to the next floor up, and its lower reaches to the ground floor. There are also a few club and committee rooms, and a reading room. On the roof, the caretaker has a flat, and there is space for the addition of a further story—some day.
Our chief points of criticism would be of the small space allotted to club rooms. Surely the whole heart of the college is its little groups of enthusiasts, and if the new building is not to be a hime for them it can hardly function as the incubator of our corporate life. Already the S.C.M., the Photographic Club, and possibly others, have jerrybuilt shacks scattered about the grounds to hold their lares and penates. Will the new building not gather all these under its all-sheltering wings?
However, the plans are now finally approved, and maybe we should sink our differences in the general delight
Reporting to the Exec. on the Union Building, Mr. Iles stated that it was hoped to have called for tenders and started building before the General Elections in November. This would mean that if there were a change of Government the new administration could not shelve the project. When approached by a "Salient" reporter, however, the Right Honourable Walter Nash, Leader of the Labour Party in Parliament, expressed his pleasure at the decision to commence the Student Union Building, and in addition said that he would regard its construction as a special priority. The Student Building would satisfy many essential needs and he hoped that the work would begin at an early date.
Mr. Nash added that he would support the extension of further hostel accommodation.
"Congress is a stimulating intellectual experience." "Congress is one long magnificent party." "Congress is an absolute disgrace—bottles, drunkards and other nonsense. . . " "Congress is a pleasant, quiet, relaxing holiday." But whatever Congress is it is a memorable experience. It is an institution, an abomination, a riot, a time for discussion and controversy, a time for sun and sport, and one of the highlights of the extra-curricular year.
Congress controller Mr. P. D. Gibbons, as well as proving an organizational success, was a hit in his morning attire of pyjama trousers, gabardine raincoat and green beret at a dashing angle over one eye. Ably assisted by Ted Woodfield and Harry Chambers, business manager, he provided a smoothly running Congress with lecturers who were not only a success in the lecture hall but who led the social life with riotous abandon.
Maori life and customs came very much to the fore under the forceful leadership of Peter Gordon of Auckland and Jim Ritchie of V.U.C. who entertained the populace with vigorous hakas and action songs: They even succeeded in training half congress to follow them with conspicuous
The usual congress activities such as the trip to Ship's Cove, the Olympics, the fancy dress ball and the items by the colleges proceeded with their accustomed hilarity. We regret to announce that V.U.C. failed to win the Congress Olympics being beaten by Auckland because of lack of coordination and parochial spirit; the latter was by no means lacking amongst the former who were strongly defensive.
Professor Buchanan, his wife and Mrs. Lenart took the prize at the fancy dress ball by appearing as the Middle East situation. Mrs. Lenart as the Middle East, and a most seductive Middle East, appeared flanked by a vigorously seducing swashbucking communist proletarian Professor Buchanan loaded with roubles and Mrs. Buchanan representing the U.S.A. seditiously rattling her dollars.
Peter Cape staged a comeback of "Under the Wooden Mountain", a play for voices about the daily doings of the Congressites, "sleeping in the lectures", "drinking in the cabins" and "climbing in the yard arm" of Captain Charlie's "Rongo" while "the sun slips down the frying-panned sky."
Neville Beach and Peter Gordon who recently represented the "New Zealand University Students' Association" at a COSEC conference in Ceylon spoke on their experiences. COSEC is an international student body which meets each year to try and gain a world-wide understanding of student affairs and to help each other by an exchange of experiences in student politics. Neville Beach brought before Congress the long debated issue at N.Z.U.S.A. as to how much interest should be taken at conferences at a student level in international affairs. Although New Zealand seems to think that there is too much discussion of international politics at overseas conferences it is noteworthy that N.Z.U.S.A. spends
A very limited Accommodation Service is being run by Executive, if board is required or available, contact Accommodation Officer, Miss Le Fort, or advertise in Salient" at Id. per word.
Orientation week and beyond.
Monday, March 11th, 7.30 p.m.: Principal's address in C3, followed by Freshers' Welcome and Dance (9 p.m.-l a.m.) in Gym.
Tuesday, 12th: "How to Study," by Prof. Bailey: C3, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, 13th: "Use of The Library," by H. G. Miller. C3, 8 p.m.
Thursday, 14th: Evening for foreign students.
Friday, 15th: Freshers' Ball, Gym., 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; dress semiformal, subs. 3/-.
Saturday, 16th: Women's rowing, Wellington Rowing Club, Jervois Quay, 10 a.m. Cricket and Tennis Clubs meet in afternoon. Contact secretaries.
Monday, 18th: Science Faculty evening, Staff Common Room, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, 19th: Commerce evening, Staff Common Room, 8 p.m. Christian Science film, Room C2, 8 p.m.; Anglican gathering, same time.
Wednesday, 20th: Drama Club, Little Theatre, 8 p.m.
Thursday, 21st: Arts evening, Staff Common Room, 8 p.m. Miniature Rifle Club, Buckle Street, 7 p.m.
Friday, 22nd: Rowing Club Dance, Gym., 8 p.m.
A Wholesale Initiation in VIC. Life.
During the First Weks of Term Used Books will be on Sale at the Stalls in the Lower Gymnasium. Books for Sale should be Handed in During Enrolment Week.
All those interested in any kind of "Salient" work should come to our first term-time meeting in "Salient" Room, Upper Gym., at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, 12th March, or else write to The Editors, c/o V.U.S.C.A.
The President issued the following statement, last week (or was it some else?):
"Some Freshers will have already dipped their hands deeply in the mire of adulthood, but moat come to University still relatively innocent. They are likely, then, to be bowled over by a tidal wave of sex and drink. As students we can to a very large extent chuck off the inhibitions and codes of childhood without accepting the responsibilities of adulthood.
"There is a wonderful licence about the University which tempts many to plunge right into the cesspool. This is the testing-ground: those who keep their heads after floundering around for a year o rtwo will eventually pull through. The unfortunate minority will either grow permanent blinkers, become narrow-minded and intolerant, or will so like it in the cesspool that they remain there always—indecisively poised between being children and being grown up.
"So let's be frank. University is not all clean fun and games. Nor could it ever hope to be. We are men and women trying to find out what it is to be adults—and a certain amount of sin and grime are the inevitable background to our individual gropings."
"The passionless pursuit of passionless intelligence": an American professor of fifty years ago defined the object of university education in these terms. He has been widely echoed by academicians ever since, and some have even suggested that his formula should become the motto of the student press.
But the professor's name has been forgotten, and his dictum has reached posterity solely by virtue of its having earned a blistering attack from Jack London engaged at the time on a lecture tour of American colleges on behalf of the Socialists: "The reflection of this university ideal I find—conservatism, deadness, unconcern towards those who are suffering, who are in want. . . . Raise your voices one way or the other! Be alive!"
The same words were used by Dr. J. C. Beaglehole in a symposium conducted in this college eighteen years ago on whether the one-year-old "Salient" was fulfilling the requirements of a college newspaper:
"The main thing in university journalism is that it should be alive. It can't be alive without a series of rows, and the noise of battle which surrounds 'Salient' is therefore a healthy sign. It should also, I think, be in a broad sense political, if it is to have any relevance to life in our time—and in our time academicism and private jokes would be too sterile and intolerable. ... It should be indignant, and 'Salient' is sometimes indignant. On the other hand, I should like to see the paper more consistently grappling with books, pictures, music, and the problems of the University; also ... I should like to see it play the fool a bit more often."
In those days "Salient" set out to fill a fairly ambitious role. The previous year when it replaced "Smad" as VUC's newspaper, it had announced, "The change has been made . . . because it was felt the spirit of Olympian grandeur or academic isolation from the affairs of the world should be dropped and replaced by a policy which aims firstly to link the University more closely to the realities of the world; and secondly to comment upon, rather than report in narrative style, the activities of college clubs."
In nineteen years the tide of radical thinking which brought forth the first "Salient" has ebbed and flowed and ebbed and flowed again; and the faults of "Smad"—grandeur, isolation, narrative-style reporting and all—have become characteristic of "Salient" also.
Now "Salient" 57 proudly announces that this year we have adopted new editors, new printers, new regularity and new policy. Conservatives will note with relief that we retain an old name, if they dig deeper they will actually discover that we are merely turning back to the vision of
Our columns are open to all creeds, all people. For, more important to us than being of our way of thinking—is Passion. Don't forget that nos habebit humus (or avernus, according to tsate) a long, long while: so while we are alive, let's live!
Editors:
"Salient" regrets that owing to printing difficulties the last issue for
A most unfortunate error occurred in the
That could well be the motto of the present Students' Association Executive.
At least three vacancies were known to be coming up in the summer vacation, as Miss Lovegrove, and Messrs. Ward and Can ham, were being called elsewhere for the advancement of their several careers. It is perturbing enough that persons should stand for office knowing that they will be able to hold it for little more than half its term. And it is more perturbing that the two vacancies that have occurred so far (Messrs. Ward and Canham), have both been used by the Executive to swell the already oversized representation of the Law Faculty on the Executive. But what is clearly the most disturbing feature is that there are now no full-time men students on the Exec. Full-timers may be in a minority at Vic. but should they be totally unrepresented?
It could have been an excellent opportunity to introduce young enthusiasts to a brief term of administrative experience. But we have two men, both with plenty of knowledge of student affairs; and yet in the few months of office they shall enjoy, there will really only be time to learn the ropes, if we must indulge in broken terms we might at least use co-option to train the next generation.
We have nothing against Messrs. Mummery or Bathgate as prospective Executive members. Everything we know of them both indicates that they are as good material as we have seen on a V.U.C. Exec. in a long while. But the fact of their Faculty allegiance (and their age), especially in the light of past events, makes their promotion look unpleasantly like a coup d'etat.
Sir Anthony (Ship me somewhere east of Suez) Eden may have thought New Zealand would be a quiet haven for a discredited politician, but he was foredoomed to feature largely in V.U.C's
Students under the age of eighteen should note that they are still eligible for concessions on public transport. For further information apply to the City Council Transport Department Our Exec. is also considering requesting concessions for all full-time students in view of the recent substantial fare increases—another burden on light pockets.
that the Government has actually decided to come across with some cash, and that the laying of the foundations is said to be in sight We are therefore prepared to refrain from saying what we had in mind about Salient Room losing its present harbour view in favour of a dingey outlook onto a light-well and a kitchen smoke-stack, and about the extraordinary style of the general architecture.
We therefore refrain from cynical asides when John Marchant says: "I am delighted at the assistance which the Government has given us, and at the kind remarks of the Minister of Education (Mr Algie) when commenting on the impression made on Cabinet by our decision to increase the regular student contribution to the building.
"No one building will contribute more to our corporate life than the new student union.
"I have no doubt that Victoria will increase in stature and grow away from its present status, which is often likened to that of a glorious nights school, as a consequence of the Government's happy decision."
And many of the bits that traceable to On The Water- might make Frank Sinatra and Novak and Eleanor Parker and Preminger feel they had lost
Angeli as his wife was no than usual. A city, because
The hero's hysterical mother
photography was interesting, if
religious overtones implied in
Considering the reputations of these assembled talents the film is somewhat disappointing; but considering some of the flops with which each of them has been associated, it is much better than might have been feared. Carol Reed in particular continues to walk the artistic tightrope. Here he neither stretches himself to his full height, as displayed in The Fallen Idol and The Third Man, nor does he wobble as uncertainly as in The Man Between, in this film one is impressed by Reed's competent craftsmanship, rather than by the exciting direction of earlier successes. Krasker does better with some fine camera work on the trapeze acts in The Big Top, which generate a considerable amount of excitement.
What of the players? Lolobrigida looks shapely in her spangled costumes, talks enticingly in stronglyaccented English and can be suitably fierce when called upon to display temper. Tony Curtis is his usual unsatisfactory self. Burt Lancaster on the other hand acts with force and conviction. He is an experienced and effective player who seldom goes wrong. As written, the character he displays has no great depth, but Lancaster does manage to make it real.
In the Little Theatre, as Time would say, a Shambles. There is a cast, dazzling lighting, no scenery and a sense of inadequacy. Realism could go no further, even in Russia at the turn of the century. This, however, is a Twentieth Century "Cherry Orchard," and Margaret Walker will be producing for us with all the sensitivity she commands. She produced The Crucible, The House of Bernada Alba, and Antigone, for Unity as if you didn't remember, and if she has anything to do with it, you will remember The Cherry Orchard, the V.U.C. Drama Club's major production for
Up to now (February 19) rehearsals have been discussions and group reading, intensive study of character and (here's something) some adaptation from the original by Natasha Tver who found a translator's English not quite up to Chekhov's Russian, all matters of deep, deep, Twentieth Century despair. Let us now praise the coffee shops, some of which are open after rehearsals.
The use of 'despair' may be misleading; the despair is that of the cast—Chekhov meant The Cherry Orchard to be a comedy, the story of an estate sold into the hands of a businessman of peasant stock. The important part of the estate is the graceful Cherry Orchard itself which is to become a monstrous subdivision for middle class people. Elizabeth Gordon plays Madame Ranyevskia, a Prodigal Mother, somewhat set in her ways: Meg Anderson, her daughter; and John Dawick, the eternal (idealist) student Lopahin, the moneyed peasant, is played by Graeme Eton. They are supported by Heather Scott, Trevor King, David Vere-Jones, Colin Bickler and Geoffrey Barlow. The scenery is designed by Peter Campbell.
There will be a great deal of publicity from our scribes who will keep you reading till finals, but Drama Club will not come to an end when the axes begin to bite into the Cherry Orchard. The year's new members will come into their own when the Club holds an evening in the second week of Term and reads Shaw's Dark Lady of the Sonnets and discusses the year's programme, if you can act, dance, stitch, daub, produce or work in wood (build things) you are more than qualified to join us.
"Party politics, Labour versus National, is comparable with North Island versus South Island, husband versus wife, and nation versus nation. The solution lies in a fuller perspective as in the case of a right-angled triangle in which the square on the hypotenuse is equal to the sum of the squares on the other two sides. This principle will give us unity and peace, while the other two sides make for perpetual division and war. New Zealand can lead."
"Mr. Holland said the country was getting good value for the money spent on the Police Force. What other workers work overtime without any special pay? he asked.
Mr. Hackett: "Nurses in hospitals."
Mr. Holland: "They are not policemen."
"A British Commonwealth comprising Britain, Canada, Australia and New Zealand is the dream of fighter ace Group Captain Douglas Bader, who is now visiting Christchurch. 'Chuck out the
"Sex must Stop."
"This 14-stand cowshed on the property of Mr. F. P. Walsh, President of the Federation of Labour, in the Wairarapa, near Featherston, makes the milking of the 250-260 cows on the farm a relatively easy task. It is the largest milking herd in New Zealand."
"A police constable admitted in the Magistrates' Court, Lower Hutt, yesterday, that a statement he produced in evidence on a charge of theft had been typed by himself after the accused had already signed the blank sheet of paper while intoxicated. It contained the words 'I plead guilty'.
"Mr. Drummond, S.M., said that for reasons upon which he was not prepared to elaborate, he would not accept the typewritten statement."
Bearer of Gool Tidings.
"Sir Anthony Arrives. Petrol Price Cut."
Newcomers to Victoria College should not allow first impressions to discourage them. After a week of trailing around in its medieval gloom through tangling corridors the atmosphere will suddenly become quite hospitable, and, on occasions, even homelike.
The vital spot to locate in the building is the Cafeteria. This is in the basement immediately below the telephone boxes at the north end of the ground floor. Don't be misled by the name, and feel obliged to eat there for the Caf. is the intellectual centre of the college and many a now political theory has been born there among the philosophers who linger long after cups of coffee have gone cold and been absent-mindedly drunk.
At the end of the Cafeteria corridor past the Women's cloakroom is the Common Room artfully camouflaged behind a tobacco-born smoke-screen and filled at all times with students of the Arts Faculty.
A notable fact about V.U.C. is that it has a Common room Uncommon in that it is a common common room.
Those Students who prefer to learn by swotting will find the atmosphere of the Library more conducive to work if a trifle ratified. This noble scriptorium is to be found on the first floor to the left of the main staircase. The first plunge is alarming but the ears appreciate the next.
Exec. room, where such odds ond ends as stationery, V.U.C. badges, locker keys, past editions of Cappicade and Exec. members may be found, is at the end of the verandah of the archaic building rejoicing in the title of Gymn. which teeters above the site of the new Student's Union Building (better known as the tennis courts). in charge of the office is the Executive's permanent secretary, Mrs. Yaldwyn.
The Administrative office is the
"The Merchant of Venice" is a silly play, at times boring and ridiculous. It was with some trepidation that I went to see Richard Campion's last production for the Players. Let me state straightaway that I was not bored. Like so much of Mr. Campion's work there were two or three good points and the rest was frankly bad. The play came to life in two scenes in which the producer was not hindered by Raymond Boyce's messy sets. The end to the first act when Shylock knocks on his door waiting for his runaway daughter to let him in. The second scene when the production, the acting, and the set combined to make effective theatre was the scene when Shylock is being taunted by the Gentiles.
Why was Raymond Boyce allowed to design such sets? They wore clumsy, messy, and I should have thought completely impractical to tour with. I think we might have been spared the canal which looked like spilt paint, and balconies which made me fear for the safety of the actors. A simple semi-permanent set, without lota of Cecil Beaton drapes, would have been much more effective, and the audience would have been able to have heard some of the tab scenes, instead of crashes and bangs of the scene-shifters behind.
Mr. Lilbum's introductory music called to mind the "Journey Into Space" theme ("A Merchant of Venus?") and the trumpet pieces would have been more appropriate to the death scene in "Hamlet".
The play, from an actor's point of view, belongs to Shylock. John V. Trevor was excellent. He commanded one's attention as he slinked like Olivier's Richard III nround the stage. And in his downfall we pity him. The only other two actors with any merit were Sydney Falconer as Portia and Kenneth Adams as Launcelot Gobbo. Miss Falconer was a gay, delightful Portia, but her "quality of mercy" speech was forced and embarrassed. No doubt this was due to the fact that this was one speech that the audience knew and an unusual hush came over them when she began it. Kenneth Adams was an amusing Gobbo, though something might have been done about this costume, which mude him appear as if he were wearing a pair of "Jockey" underpants!
It was well worth seeing for these three performances.
The first tennis test played at Stanley Street courts, Auckland, between New Zealand Universities and Australian Universities on Tuesday, 15 January, resulted in an easy victory for New Zealand by twelve matches to four. Such a margin, however, would not be a true indication of tennis in the respective Universities. M. Callaghan, N. Rae and Miss B. Bradfield in particular of the Australians played well below the form expected of them after their performances in the New Zealand Championships a few days earlier. The New Zealand team played well, however, and is to be congratulated off its fine showing.
The first tennis test played at Stanley Street Courts, Auckland, between New Zealand Universities and Australian Universities on Tuesday, January 15 resulted in an easy victory for New Zealand by 12 matches to four. Such a margin however would not be a true indication of tennis in the respective Universities. M. Callaghan, N. Rae and Miss B. Bradfield in particular of the Australians played well below the form expected of them after their performances in the New Zealand Championships a few days earlier. The New Zealand team played well however and is to be congratulated on its fine showing.
Playing top for New Zealand, Brian Woolf was never really extended to beat Mike Callaghan, 6-1, 6-1 The Australian had difficulty in handling Woolfs heavily spun service and lost many opportunities by netting drives and volleys when he had made openings for winners.
The most interesting match was that between John Montgomerie and Kev Adams. Both players exhibited fine form and the result could have gone either way, Mongomerie eventually winfning 9-7, 7-5.
Although Boon was taken to three sets by Rae there was no doubting his superiority once he had settled down. Boon served and volleyed powerfully and these departments of his game won him many points.
In the top women's singles Betty Nelson had little difficulty in beating Betty Bradfield who made many mistakes, 6-1, 6-2.
Raewyn Dickson played well to beat Joan Decker. 6-1, 8-6, but was forced to give of her best in the second set.
Miss A. Emslie was the only Australian to win her singles and her victory over Miss S. McEwan was well deserved.
The play of the Australians improved in the afternoon when the doubles were played, in the men's section both matches went to three sets before the New Zealand team finally won. Australia won both the women's doubles, Betty Bradfield and Joan Decker teaming well to beat Raewyn Dickson and Betty Nelson. It was hard to associate the Miss Bradfield of the morning with the Miss Bradfield of the afternoon. Her touch returned and she played many winners with fine serving and volleying.
New Zealand teamed well in the mixed doubles to win three of the four matches, Lye and Miss Hopkinson going down to Adams and Miss Emslie.
Results with New Zealand names first were as follows:
Men's Singles
B. Woolf beat M. Callaghan, 6-1, 6-1; B. Boon beat N. Rae, 3-6, 6-1, 6-3; J. Montgomerie beat K. Adams, 9-7, 7-5; D. Lye beat C. Allen, 6-2, 6- 3.
Women's Singles
Miss B. Nelson beat Miss B. Bradfield, 6-1, 8-6; Miss R. Dickson beat Miss J. Decker, 6-1, 8-6; Miss J. Hopkinson beat Miss J. Hemming, 6-0, 7- 5; Miss S. McEwan lost to Miss A. Emslie, 1-6, 2-6.
Men's Doubles
Woolf and Mongomerie beat Callaghan and Rae, 3-6, 9-7, 6-4; Lye and Boon beat Adams and Allen, 6-1, 2-6, 6-4.
Women's Doubles
Muses Nelson and Dickson lost to Misses Bradfield and Decker, 3-6, 9-7, 3-6; Misses Hopkinson and McEwan lost to Misses Hemming and Emslie, 2-6, 6-8.
Mixed Doubles
Woolf and Miss Dickson beat Callaghan and Miss Decker, 6-4, 7-5, 6-4, 7-5; Montgomerie and Miss McEwan beat Allen and Miss Hemming, 6-1, 6-1; Boon and Miss Nelson beat Rae and Miss Bradfield, 7-6, 8- 6, 6-5, 6-1; Lye and Miss Hopkinson lost to Adams and Miss Emslie. 63, 3-6, 2-6.
While most students were grinding away at vac. jobs before returning to the trials and tribulations of the academic life, Exec. members had already once more taken up their onerous tasks. The first meeting of the year was held on
(Carried). Other business was the co-option of Messrs. J. D. Bathgate and D. R. Mummery.
A further meeting was held on February 21, when Miss Anna Duncan was co-opted to the Exec., and the Liaison tasks of the resigned members were divided among the new. Mr. Mummery, after expressing keen interest in the activities of the Women's Hockey Club, was rewarded by being appointed their Liaison Officer in succession to Miss Love, grove. A report was presented by Walter Iles, a representative on the S.U.B. Planning Committee, describing the improvements made in the amended plans resulting in slightly more space, especially in the Theatre which now will hold 400 instead of about 347; also, some lavatories have been abolished (Cf, Letter from India), and a box-office added. It was also revealed that Vic. will be without tennis courts for about a year, and worse still, if anything goes wrong with the raising of money by public appeal we may end up with everything we have up till now lacked, but without almost the only facility now available—namely the Gymn. which will have to be demolished to make way for the Second Stage.
Despite the complaint of Mr. Carver that the Exec. accepts sub-committee reports without weighing them sufficiently carefully, several knotty problems were past onto yet more sub-committees ("There is plenty of time to consider"), either appointed on the spot, or agreed upon for the future. The Exec. then went into a huddle to consider the report from our College Council Representative, Maurice O'Brien. Although few present day students know of him, our records show that Mr. O'Brien was first appointed five years ago, at which time he had long been associated with student affairs. As our representative he reports to the Exec, on what has past at Council meetings. He has occasion consulted the EXEC., and is "always ready to bear their views in mind.")
Within six weeks of the opening of the new term, Easter Tournament
Clubs are already getting their star performers into trim. Freshers and others who have distinguished themselves in any summer sport, but maybe are unknown to the college's sporting hierarchy, should contact club secretaries as soon as possible,—their names are in the Fresher's Handbook or available from Mrs. Yaldwyn, at the Students Association Office (at the end of the veranda in the Gymn.)
It is probably time that Vic agitated for an alteration in the rules proscribing the participation in Tournament of students who have played for outside (i.e. non-college) clubs in the immediate past. Without such an alteration it is doubtful whether Vic can ever field the best possible teams from among its students. With it, there would be the added strength of many who have developed other loyalties prior to coming to the College but could still do their bit on important occasions.
At the moment we have to accept this rule as it stands. Even so, we can still bestow this honorific spoon (it's not as useful as it sounds, being big, carved, and clumsy) upon some other deserving college.—Stand-in.
A general depression seems to have settled over the Student Employment Service. Gill Le Fort, the Student Employment Officer reports that very few students used the Service though the advertising of the fact that it was available seemed adequate enough. It would appear that most students prefer to find their own vacation jobs, if that is so then, as Miss Le Fort says, it is hardly worth all the trouble that is taken in filing all the jobs.
To be sure none of the jobs offering were particularly interesting and there were very few with decent wages, especially for women. While men can, if they are prepared to work for it, earn as much as £30 a week, it is impossible for girls to earn more than, about £15 a week even by working overtime in factories.
It seems likely that the entire situation is a vicious circle brought about by that dark shadow in 'Varsity life, student apathy, as much as anything else. Probably we have no-one to blame for the present situation but ourselves and it seems likely that unless the College proves a more fruitful source of labour it will got even worse.
Recent relations across the Tasman have been somewhat strained. Australian arrangements for student exchange this summer were not all they might have been. N.Z.U.S.A. Resident Exec. was gravely disturbed over disorganisation and lack of information. At least one student arrived in Sydney shortly before the International Congress to find that, contrary to reports Feceived here, the Congress had been transferred to Melbourne. Student Exchange requires efficient co-operation on the part of both countries to work. It is understood that a strong report will be tabled at the N.Z.U.S.A. Easter Council meeting, to which the N.U.A.U.S. President, Mr. Thomas has been invited. Nor has it helped matters that at the International Students' Conference at Ceylon last year, Australian and N.Z. delegates, although usually co-operating, on this occasion strongly disagreed on a major issue. Salient hopes to publish a complete account of this breakdown of relations in its next issue.
Printed by the Disabled Servicemen's League St. Wellington, for C. V. Bollinger 65 Norway St. and V.U.C.S.A. Inc.
much of its time in discussion of this nature. Peter Gordon described his experiences during a goodwill tour of South East Asia after the conference and gave a most interesting account of his impressions while travelling, He emphasised the lack of co-ordination amongst students of different political and religious beliefs within the colleges and the importance of politics in student elections. This resulted in there being campaigns as wide and often much more heated than our own parliamentary elections. An appreciation of this is essential to an understanding of the outlook of the Asian students.
The discussions at Congress were not as lively as in past years. Students confined themselves to native questions and delivering minor lectures on some obscure point This was very disappointing as one of the most notable features of past Congress has been the full blooded controversies which raged from one end of the camp to the other all day and night Only during the last few days did the old argumentative spirit seem to reappear, the old congress hands appeared to have lost the vigour with which they had in past years lept on the old favourites of religion, sex and politics. There was a lack of enthusiasm for channelling the discussion into new and fruitful lines indicated by the lecturers during their addresses.
Nevertheless the addresses were probably among the beat ever presented at Congress. On the other hand the rest of congress seemed extraordinarily quiet and unenterprising, Both in the lecture hall and outside.—Curious Cove, Jan. 25th—Feb. 1st
rectangular building best approached by those unfamiliar with the landscape from Kelburn Parade. It is here that pessimists buy copies of last year's exam, papers, optimists lodge complaints about the sub-Arctic temperature of the lecture rooms, and bursars collect money at the end of each term.
These being the pressure centres of the college, it is necessary to have the jargon to go with them.
Better known as the Stud. Ass. the Association is one to which every student automatically belongs. It is represented by the Exec., the chosen few elected by two per cent, of the students after the usual incredibly inactive election campaign.
This is a national Students' Association representing all the constituent colleges of the University of New Zealand and deals with matters which concern all colleges.
This organization, the Co-ordinating Secretariat is the result of a schism in I.U.S. (International Union of Students) about four years ago when certain of the western nations felt that the parent body was becoming too Leftist in its views and broke away to form a separate organization. As the situation is at present, some nations have associations with both bodies—this applies particularly to the Latin American and Afro-Asian students—and members of either association can send observers, and in some cases, delegates, to meetings of the other.
This is another international association wider in membership than I.U.S. or COSEC and is concerned more with cultural work among students and student relief.