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The girl judged Miss Victoria University in the Little Theatre on August 4th, will be New Zealand's first Campus Queen. University contests have not, before
The Miss Victoria Contest, modestly modelled on the Miss Universe extravaganza, offers substantial cash prizes to successful entrants and their sponsoring clubs. Early entries total sixteen. Many more representing a wide range of sporting and cultural clubs, are expected before the July 27 closing date.
A preliminary parade of contestants will be a feature of the International Club's World Concert on August 3rd. The contest proper will be judged the next night, a Saturday.
The Miss Victoria quest, compered by a well-known radio personality, will run from 8.00 p.m. until 9.30. Tickets will then admit student spectators to a Cabaret Evening in the Common-Common Room. Spectacular floor shows will feature. A colourful demonstration of Thai boxing is included. Dancing until 2.00 a.m.
Arrangements are now being made for an extensive T.V., film and Press coverage of the Contest and Cabaret Evening.
Note: Late Entrants: Contact the Students' Association Office and "Salient" immediately.
Frances, a first year B.A.-L.L.B. student, plans to major in French. Perhaps best known for her activities in Extravaganza and as a member of "Salient's" staff. Pastimes include fencing, music and ball-room dancing.
Karin, a third year Arts student, is majoring in French and German. She has been in N.Z. for two years and expects to return to her home in Germany next year. She was cast in "Les Mains Sales" and Winter Touranment's French play. Table-tennis, gym, riding, and dancing are her favourite recreations.
A third-year student, Josephine is doing a B.Sc. in Mathematics. Her campus activities are in the Catholic Students' Guild, the Maths and Physics Society and the International Club. She is also interested in dancing, reading and sewing.
Gale says, "I'm twenty, and in my fourth wasted year at Victoria. I wear glasses but boys still make passes (sometimes). The last three years I have been a co-opted member of the Debating Society committee. Recently I joined the staff of "Salient."
Margaret is in her fourth year at Victoria. She is a full-timer during
Renate, aged 19, is a second year Arts student, majoring in German and Philosophy She was born in Germany. From the Continent she has brought an interest in ice-skating and ice-shows. She is a member of the Wellington Operatic Society and Victoria's International Club. Other interests include swimming, cycling and movies.
Stud. Ass. fees for next academic year will be raised by ten shillings, last week's S.G.M. decided. Ten shillings will be put towards a new floor for the S.U.B. Work on the floor will probably start in
The motion for amendment was moved Pointon/Robb. Mitchell made a further plea on behalf of past generations of students who had subsidised the building. "Some of these students have not seen the buildings they helped to pay for," said Mr Mitchell. One speaker remarked that projects should be formulated before students are asked to contribute. The meeting carried the motion.
The number of students needed to requisition an S.G.M. has been doubled. Miss Clark, speaking to her own motion, said that the motion would protect minority groups who felt they had been wronged.
A group should be able to get fifty signatures easily. Miss Clark submitted that the S.G.M. was called to give students an opportunity to criticise.
Mr Mitchell amended a motion that the Exec, "ensure" that the S.U.B. be open on Sundays for the use of students. Mitchell's emendation said that the meeting should "request" that Exec submit to the Management Committee that the S.U.B. be open on Sundays.
The amended motion restricted opening to "the use of student groups for activities, when requested." Cost was to be borne in part or in whole by the Maintenance Fund.
Contemporary Arts president Nelson Wattie spoke to a motion that Salient's grant be suspended. Criticism followed Mr Baird's motion, which he said was only to get the matter on the floor. A motion censuring the reporter who gave "Truth" a report on the S.G.M. was amended to an attack on the report's sensationalism, but was not carried.
The meeting was quiet and orderly, and the chair warned interjectors only once.
Chairman Moriarty was asked if he had notified the police of the S.G.M. The questioner thought that such an action would be unjustified. "In that case I deny it," said Mr Moriarty, amid laughter.
VoL 25, No. 10. Monday, July 23, 1962 Price 6d.
Published by the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association.
The opinions expressed in " Salient" are not necessarily those of the editors or staff. All unsigned and anonymous material must however, be construed as editorial.
Sir,—Your editorial of June 18 endeavours to emphasise the sanctity of human life.
While in no way agreeing with you but respecting your right to propogate your views (however wrong) it appears necessary that one or two points should be brought to attention.
Firstly it is difficult to believe that the "we" of "we protest" included all the students of VUW.
Secondly your editorial in its layout follows the pattern of Emile Zola's "I Accuse," a noble document seeking Justice for an innocent man and containing an eloquent plea directed to stirring the conscience of mankind
Your editorial could not have been linked with a more unworthy subject and in this you evidenced a lack of judgment and damaged the cause which you espouse.
Eichmann was a very guilty person who in his early days was nurtured in a Christian home and was indoctrinated with Christian ethical values.
Dreyfus wasn't. This innocent man was indicted and convicted by those who were in view of this the format of your editorial was perhaps unwarranted and showed a lack of appreciation and tact.—Yours etc.
Sir, the Eichmann editorial which emblazoned the front page of the last issue of Salient, deserves comment.
Its headline "We Protest", was to say the least, ambiguous. The use of the front page for such an article constituted a distortion in editorial format. Nevertheless, it is the content of the article with which I am most seriously concerned.
The protest was based on two assertions:—
The sanctitiy of human life is a reasonable judgment for any man to have. As an absolute through which all political and social issues must be viewed it is extremely shaky and almost impossible to apply. Nevertheless, I can grant that a man may assert this absolute as long as he asserts it consistently.
Where were the articles about N.Z.'s abolition of capital punishment, the discussions of the principles involved in Eichmann's execution during the length of his trial, protest at the execution of innocents in "rape" cases in the American south, the attack on status which can only exist by having the death penalty incorporated into their legal system? Surely while men are being executed, Eichmann, with his tally of 6 million, was a reasonable candidate?
The execution was not an example of the application of the revenge instinct. Even if it had been, this would hardly be a reasonable basis for attack. A member of any race conscious of his group identity which had undergone the horrible and bestial treatment to which the Jewish was subjected under Nazi-ism, and under continual pressure from racial persecution, whether actual or implied would hardly be human if he did not feel some stirring of revenge feelings.
Moreover it is my assertion that the decision to try Eichmann was a political one, to execute him a legal one. These two are distinct, and it is only the first which is open to examination as to motive. The motives which prompted Ben Gurion to try Eichmann were those: to re-enact the atrocities of Nazi-ism, so as to show the world where anti-semitism can and, to show the new generation in Germany and other countries the evils of Fascism to enable young Jewry to identify themselves with the victims.
The new generation in Israel is reported d to generally have felt shame at the apparent ease with which the Jews succumbed to the Nazis rather than sympathise with them. To arouse their sympathy in the interests of national solidarity was undoubtedly one of the prime motives for the long public trial.
One may be critical of Ben Gurion's assessment of the issues involved and of the decision to try Eichmann. However, think it is pointless to criticise a statesman in the void, for not acting like an advanced moralist or genial monk. It is quite clear anyway that this decision can not be classified as one inspired solely by the dictates of primeval revenge instincts.
As to whether Eichmann should or should not have been executed, this car, also be more meaningfully discussed : as a question of policy rather than principle. As a policy decision, the Israel: State can be criticised for it but not condemned. One may assert that it was not in the best interests of Israel to kill Eichmann.
As a matter of principle, there are several important questions to be settled before discussion can proceed. The question of capital punishment the question of free will and conditioning for instance. Most important of all, the question of bureaucratic responsibility of how far the bureaucrat's abdication of the whole can be tolerated.
These are questions which you did not attempt to raise.—Yours etc.,
Sir,—You may be Protesting against the taking of life, but the effect is that of a Protest For Eichmann—and so for anti-semitism and genocide. Then indeed his trial has "not benefited human society."
Will you Protest if Salan after all receives a death sentence? But why did you not Protest on every day of this year up till June, when every day innocent Algerians were killed by Salan's men? Without trial, without warning, counted by us only in numbers. These nameless, helpless, innocent deaths are the ones that cry for the protection of democratic opinion and human decency.
You Protest for Eichmann. Granted—we untouched people hate to look on while one small human being, shrivelled in the light of the world publicity, faces alone (or almost . . .) the stem faces of his accusers, the long list of almost incredible accusations, the shrieks and tears of bruised memories.
You are not old enough to Protest for 'the six million victims of Eichmann and the Nazi State machine. But it is absurd to think of Eichmann's death merely or mainly, as revenge. Revenge, in Itself is barren as only a contagious disease can be, Six million Eichmann still could not wipe out six millions' suffering that WAS, and is still part of older peoples' lives and memories.
What matters is the future, and the future is yours. What matters is that such millionfold tragedies should be banished from our human future, which is yours. But even while Eichmann's trial was reminding the world of this, a parallel kind of tragedy was, as you see, being enacted in Algeria. Not millionfold this time perhaps, but hundredfold and thousandfold. Would you have the right to Protest Salan's death when you have not protested those of his victims?
And the tragedy could be millionfold in your time. Eichmann's main line of defence for his efficient administration of the Nazi slaughter-machinery was that he merely obeyed orders. Today we are all of us (including Giles!) aware that this is no excuse if in your time some little human Eichmann "obeys orders" and presses the button that starts a nuclear war it is very probable that none of you will be left alive to Protest that he should live.
I am not arguing, of course, that tragedy is worse merely by reason of quantity. Each individual is precious to each of us. The more so because each of us, everywhere, must one day die. But it is just because we realise the inevitability of everyday tragedy that we struggle to prevent the huge unnecessary catastrophes that leave the living (like Eichmann) perverted, that warp men's characters and scar men's minds.
We must think our actions through to logical conclusions in human terms. Your We Protest recalls of course as you must be aware, the J'Accuse of Zola and Clemenceau and Anatole France. But Zola risked his all to rescue one small victim from bureaucracy, the bureaucracy of courts which travestied justice to protect a government's name. You are Protesting for the bureaucrat who, in the name of a ruthless government helped to encompass the deaths of millions of such small innocent Dreyfus victims—and went to his death unrepentant.—Yours etc.,
Sir,—First I must take the opportunity of congratulating you on the fine quality of your paper's Fine Arts Section, there is, indeed, some excellent criticism to be found in your columns.
However I must protest against a recent (June 5) record review by R. Maconie.
Was the heading "Clarity at All Costs" meant to be ironic?
If the subject of the review — Stravinsky — really is a model of clarity, then in Mr Maconie's own words "he would probably resent it (the article) as much as I do" Perhaps the paragraph heading "Guff" best sums up the import of the article.
"A lot of guff is written in reviews of Stravinsky," says your reviewer, and in the rest of his article he endeavours, with notable success, to continue in that tradition.
I have never read such guff in all my life as: "Low register basoon passages, punctuated by brass chords pianissimo which are so deep that one strains down with one's whole body to accommodate them."
If Mr Maconie is trying to rupture himself, I would say ho has every chance of success; at least, if he finally succeeds, we will be spared any more of such fantastic dribble.
I sincerely hope sir, that we will not be subjected again to such frenzied ramblings.
If Mr Maconie wants to indulge in such perilous physical practices in the secrecy of his own home, by all means allow him to do so; but as to the publication of such peculiar musical on forbid it, Sir. please!
Mr Maconie ought to study the style of Messrs Everard and Evans if he wishes to achieve clarity. these two critics (and it is exceptional that a University newspaper should have Arts and Cinema critics of such calibre and outside recognition as yourself and these two gentlemen) have the capacity to use their command of English to the full and delight the reader accordingly.—Yours etc.,
Sir,—In the days of progressive education there remains one ludicrous anomally. The requirement of a foreign language for an Arts degree can upset the planning of study. In a system where the average student cannot pass at least three units per year, an extra half unit can cause extra delay in attaining the degree.
Further, the so called half units often require as much work as a full unit. We may question the motives of the present system. If the idea is instilling culture, then there are other ways of achieving this.
I suggest that students be able to study Greek History, etc., if they have no interest in taking a language. Such a move might eliminate some of the failures that the authorities are sweating Over.—
Sir,—We are a number of independent students including some left-wingers who to protest at Mr Maxwell's column "View from the Left." Though we do not question Mr Maxwell's to have a column we most emphatically question his right to become the self-appointed spokesman of the left.
His odd compilation of gossip with unfounded and almost McCarthy-type assertion grossly maligns not only the left but any independents and radicals who consider there are bad defects in our societies alms and attitudes. It is a pity that Mr Maxwell does not follow his cynic's practice and introduce facts and figures into his writing. One would think that a student who has been hero on and oil since 19S1 would have a more mature approach and a greater
To quote:
1. "Persistent rumour . . . that he (Governor-General) has bought cars at factory price with overseas funds and sold them al handsome profit."
The writer then suggests that the Government should take action to squash the rumour. Perhaps the best way would be to prosecute Mr Maxwell for publishing a criminal libel.
2. What a fine bouquet of left-handed compliments ho finds for Mr Hackett.
"Colourless uninspired and unprepossessing" . . . Neither has he (Mr Hackett not Mr Maxwell) impressed thorn (Parliament). The Deputy Leader also by Implication lacks ability and intelligence
Ono hopes that his party hierarchy will not take disciplinary action against Mr Maxwell for belittling the deputy loader of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
Finally, the paragraph headed "Back Stabbing." This is more startling for the ignorance it reveals than for the information it imparts. The press reactions to Menses' and Marshall's visits and statements were at best tolerant and at worst irritated by the pair's interference and concern. At this stage it is likely that Mr Marshall can do anything more than the permanent officials are already doing In fact, it is a typical political gesture beloved of both parties, one that creates an Illusion that the government is being active and enterprising when it is mere sound and fury signifying nothing.
We cannot consider Mr Maxwell as of the "Left." It is not in talking about happenings that are far away and which we can only marginally effect but it is rather in the day to day problems of the University that we can truly see whether a person is "Led" or any kind of radical. Mr Maxwell has failed dismally here, for ho has not taken a radical line himself. But ho almost always supported in autocratic and right-wing Executive; its actions and policy.
We ask that the column be renamed so that Mr Maxwell is no longer able to suggest that he has the confidence of the Loft, or to masquerade as its spokesman.—Yours, etc.
On reply:—To paraphrase Harold Laski, we are all good leftists. Mr Dwyer in his own way, others in a leftist way.—Val Maxwell.'
Sir,—Much as I might desire the existence of a revolutionary situation "at this University at the moment," I have had sufficient experience of such occasions to appreciate that the possibility does not appear even a remote one. Although I can understand Mr Maxwell confusing revolutionary individuals with such a situation I cannot accept that he is entitled in any way to speak for the Left.
It is typical of the pseudo View from the Left" that the Communists should be represented as the extreme Left. My understanding of the Loft is a revolutionary, progressive movement battling for a new and better social order and having for its inspiration the much-abused, sadly betrayed principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity.
While it is true that the Communist Party has masqueraded under their auspices in its efforts to grasp power, It is oven more tragically apparent that, on be coming the government, the Party destroys Liberty for the individual, perverts Equality in the erection of a Now Class and substitutes a spy-infested ruthless police state for Fraternity.
Mr Maxwell's Ideology Is far from clear. But whether he speaks for the decayed Labour Party or the state capitalist Communist Party ho will still find himself in the same camp with the conservative and reactionary parties—those selfish, stupid and oppressive elements of the Right.—Yours etc.,
Sir,—I am pleased to see that Mr Dwyer has changed his mind as to whether or not a revolutionary situation exists at this university.
It is accepted practice to include the Communist Party in the pantheon of the Loft, although it has long forfeited this honour.
My political position should be clear to any intelligent reader of this column. Unless my wife has paid my subscription I am not a member of the "decayed Labour Party," neither am I a member of the "national capitalist Communist Party." The only political groups to which I belong are the Socialist Club and Socialist Forum.—Yours etc.
There appears to be a great amount of confusion among: students, regarding Salient. This, of course, is an inevitable consequence, arising out of the average student's ignorance about newspapers. Just what the function of a newspaper is, whose opinion represents, and who is in control; it seems, most students do not know. This is an attempt to clarify the issue — to acquaint the student with Salient policy and administration.
First of all, we must argue that Salient is a newspaper. Many students find it difficult to realise this: but Salient is not a fortnightly broadsheet composed of salacious and partisan articles. No does Salient exist, to slant the attitudes and ideals of an "irresponsible few". As a newspaper, Salient is under an obligation to report and comment. We must be fair in our opinion of others; we must be factual in our accounts of meetings and incidents.
Salient — as is the case in any newspaper — is under no obligation to print any material or correspondence that is forwarded to it. Every effort is made, naturally, to print as much as is possible contributions from outside readers, reports from staffers, correspondence, editorial opinion, all, at some stage of the game, have suffered and will continue to suffer. There are varied reasons for this. Most of the time, we find we have too much copy for the number of pages we can afford to print (Salient is in the red as it is). Other times the copy is illegible, written on both sides of the paper, libellous hopelessly out-of-date, is received after the deadline, and is irrelevant. Copy, it will be seen, must suffer. Few students have had cause to complain however. Salient has, to date, produced more issues than any other student paper in the country; it is larger, contains more news and articles.
There has been imposed no censorship this year. No articles of correspondence have been rejected because the views expressed, disagreed with those of the Editor. Some articles have had to be abridged, others rejected for reasons of libel and slander. Students must realise, that as far as the law of the land is concerned, it is the Editor who stands in the dock, should a libel action be taken out.
Just what is the Editor's job and to whom is he responsible? The Editor is appointed by the Executive and is responsible to the Association. He is responsible for producing a regular newspaper. He is not responsible to anyone for what he prints, what he does not print. He is not responsible to anyone for the opinion of the newspaper (editorial opinion is. by definition, the opinion of the newspaper). He is responsible for appointing the staff of Salient, and is responsible for their published statements. The Editor (as all editors must) favours no one person's views, no minority.
Most students assume Salient to be financed wholly by the student body, out of the Association fund. This is an incorrect assumption. An issue of Salient costs anything between £l 10 and £160 to produce. One copy of Salient therefore, costs 2/-; is sold for 6d. Readers pay one-quarter of the total cost. Our subsidy from the general Association fund accounts for another 8d. The other 10d (making up the total cost of 2/-) is accounted for by Salient staff: the staff that sells advertising, organises careers supplements, thinks up payable gimmicks. This year, Salient staff has accounted for £600 in this way. We can see now, there is a 3:4:5 ratio (sales of readers. Association subsidy, Salient staff ventures of financial assistance. Perhaps those students who believe Salient staff privileged; who believe Salient should not have a policy; who believe Salient staff have too much copy in the newspaper; who cry "Censorship!" and "Bigotry!"; perhaps these people might think again, realising that Salient staff account for more of our income than does any other one source.
Many students are of the opinion that—being paid members of the Association — they are entitled to have opinions expressed in Salient. Quite true. The columns of Salient are open to all readers. Students should demarcate between freedom of expression and physical limitations. Again, many students would like to see Salient policy determined by a majority of students. This is a ridiculous impossibility. Physically impossible for the reason: a newspaper cannot be administered by a clan of its readers. Ridiculous because, Salient would cease to be a newspaper. Who is going to decide what? Should Club X have a column each issue? Should John T. and Mary Q. and a thousand others, all have a right to decide editorial opinion?
It has been suggested, a newspaper can judge its effect and worth on the amount of rebuke and scorn received. Whether this is true or not, it must be pointed out, Salient is designed to report news and articles of importance, of interest to the reader (we say reader, not student, because many Salient correspondents and readers are not students). If, by a show of scorn, we are proving to arouse interest, then by all means, let us be scorned!
Salient is still in a formative stage; we are still settling into a proper newspaper framework. It has taken months of arduous work to get where we are now, in fact: the best (by the consent of the other centres) student newspaper in the country. It is only through the concerted efforts of a handful of (unpaid, for the most part, unpraised) students, who are willing to devote many hours a week to the paper, Salient is what it is.
It is an enormously difficult task, trying to please every student, every taste, every ideal. We do our best to find a happy compromise; to remain as neutral as the circumstances allow in student politics; to even get the newspaper out every fortnight. All this, aside from the fact that the editors and staff of Salient are not remunerated, are at University not, in the first instance, to produce a newspaper.
Sir,—It is a shame to see your able music critic refusing to apply the same standards of judgment to music outside his normal experience as he does to works with which he is more familiar. I don't agree with him that Ravi Shankar's Music of India is "one for the specialists," and I think that he is doing a disservice to people who are interested in a new form of music, even if they do not know much about its technical structure.
I would be the last to claim that I know anything about the mathematics of music beyond the most elementary rules of harmony, but I don't find that this hinders me in my appreciation of its intrinsic qualities. Although I agree that the development of taste and discretion is an important part of the proper appreciation or music, I'm afraid that I am one of those poor people who in the last analysis Judges his purchase of records by what he likes.
I have seen Ravi Shankar in person, without any previous knowledge of Indian music and he impressed me very strongly. I have played my Shankar records to other people, and have discovered that I could communicate my enthusiasm for him to them through his music. I continually replay the records and find that my experience — I can't honestly say my knowledge—broadens each time.
My total impression of the music is varied. The first thing that struck me was Shankar's incredible virtuosity. He improvises all the time except for the opening theme and several set pieces in the final section of his ragas, the classical model form of the Hindustani school of Indian music. The sitar, a sort of grown-up guitar, is complicated in its design and even more in its range of effects. Shankar claims that he has been studying the instrument for 25 years and is still not its master.
The second impression is of the care-fully induced mesmeric effect, largely established by the continuous drone of the tonic and dominant supplied by the tambour, another, considerably less complicated instrument of five strings.
The third is of the complex rhythmic structures—cycles of 16, 12, 11, 9 or 7 beats are common. Those are established and built upon by both Shankar and Chatur Lal, his virtuoso drummer, who plays the tabla, a pair of small drums which look a little bit like kettle-drum bongos. The high-pitched head of the smaller drum reinforces the tonic drone, and the larger one has an almost incredible range of pitch and tonal quality.
Shankar and Chatur Lal interweave rhythm and melody until the barriers between them seem to be broken down—or at least circumvented—perhaps by osmosis!
The fourth impression is that, despite the music's strangeness to Western ears—it has no harmonic structure and relies on quartar-tones quite a bit—it has an intense emotional effect. From the state of semi-hypnosis. If the conditions are right, one is conveyed by the music through a wide range of emotional experience.
So it's not jazz, despite the improvisation and the bluesy quarter-tones (sometimes uncannily like the blues), because it is less sardonic than genuinely and unabashedly emotional. It's not romantic either, because of the mystic quality of its effect. And it is most definitely not Western. But I labour on about its content partly because I was personally impressed by it, and partly because I was rather pleased with myself that I could honestly justify a theory that I have long held that true artistic achievement rests in the ability to communicate to any human being who want to listen.— Yours etc,
Inspired by the Government's Ombudsman Bill, a band of students is forming a club to protect student rights. The club will advocate measures to bring more democracy into students' affairs. Speaking for the group, Graham Butter-worth said: "We think that the method of appointing Exec. Committees should be one of the first things to be overhauled."
Apart from amending the Constitution, the club will press for a suggestion box and regular meetings of the Stud. Assn. It is the intention to approach the down-town Organisation for Civil Rights to parley over co-operation.
What is going on at Canterbury University? During study week Salient went down to find out. The results were astonishing.
Girls at the well known women's hostel Helen Connon Hall decided their washing facilities were inadequate. One dark night, two of them proceeded to an equally well known men's hostel to see if the baths there were any better. Throwing caution to the winds they disrobed and plunged in. Much to the chagrin of the men residents, the strip was not complete. The girls had bathing suits on underneath. Their motive in doing this is not certain. The fact that this hostel is also a theological college may have accounted for their modesty.
Bored theologians at the same hostel have resorted to water bombing for relaxation, (an occurrence not unknown at Weir). One of the bombs precipitated itself onto the head of a female member of the domestic staff. She was heard to utter a stream of profanities not at all in keeping with the traditions of the Theological College.
An institution Victoria could well emulate—The Canterbury University Men's Bathing Club. Membership is automatic upon the candidate producing evidence of having had a bath in one of the three women's hostels. This feat is by no means as difficult as it sounds, if the candidate is popular with the young ladies in the various halls. But there is one hostel that is virtually impregnable — Rosary House, the Catholic girls' hostel. Last month, however, 3 young Irishmen did it. It is understood that the Matron underwent a rather violent traumatic experience in consequence.
Each year the Bathing Club hold an annual dinner.
The intellectual section of Canterbury University have devised some new intellectual pursuits.
Canta, the student newspaper, challenged the Drama Society to a game of tiddley-winks. In the Interests of culture, this was changed to a contest in rugby. The match created a considerable stir in Christchurch as women were participating. Women were tackled as hard if not harder than the men involved.
Canta ran out the eventual I winners. The event did not go un-heralded in the local press, and even received TV coverage. Refreshment of a liquid variety was served after the match.
It is understood that some team members were removed by the constabulary from the hostelry, since they were under-age.
The event will be an annual one.
The House Committee Is particularly concerned at the conduct in the cafeteria of certain irresponsible and selfish students. It is seriously worried that the thoughtless acts of a small minority will irreparably damage relations with the Cafeteria caterer.
It may not be known that Mr Levenbach is badly short of staff and has suffered considerable losses through damage and theft. Rubbish tins have been provided and there is no excuse whatsoever for leaving tables littered with filth and lunch papers. Furthermore, strong objection is made to those students who insist upon needlessly wasting the salt and pepper provided on the tables. The Committee fears that if some students continue to abuse the facilities provided for them in the cafeteria, the consequences could seriously disrupt the services they are now receiving.
At the A.G.M., a motion was foreshadowed concerning Salient'S grant from the Stud. Assn. Mr N. Wattle flourished the Salient article headed "We Protest" before the meeting. He did this to contradict the statement in the Annual Report that Salient had avoided sensationalism.
He then foreshadowed a motion, "that the Salient grant be suspended on the grounds that Salient no longer represents student opinion."
Dissatisfaction was expressed to the reporter by sympathisers of the motion. They thought student affairs that should be covered by Salient are not being given fair consideration. Examples given were: No report on the Drama Club A.G.M.; and Music Society reports not being printed.
It was said that the opinions of a clique, which controlled Salient, were being pushed, while other opinions and articles were not being fairly considered,
Mr Wattie said that a drama criticism he had written, alterations to a slashed article of Mr Maconie's, and a Music Society notice, were submitted for one issue.
Claimed he: "All that appeared was a record criticism by the clique."
Mr Wattie said that he and supporters wanted to provoke discussion on Salient and the student body, rather than press their motion.
Quotes from an Education 2 Lecture (by kind permission of Mr McLaren):
"Our next topic is the influence of the Crusaders. The Crusaders did not return from their crusades clutching copies of Aristotle. And now at the risk of incurring censure from Salient, I would like to digress. I am sure you have all read how shocking we lecturers are! But I am going to digress all the same. Aristotle returned to Europe . . . ."
"Students in the Middle Ages were really well-rounded people. They would have regarded students like you as anaemic, and a newspaper like Salient—well! If they had run it, it would have had problems of censorship . . ."
"Really, my digression was on how Aristotle came into the Universities . . ."
"Commitment" was the theme Of the Student Christian Movement's Study Week Camp, Akatarawa was the site chosen. Talks by Rev. A. W, Sutton on the "Calling to a Christian Life," and study groups were held later. Formal addresses on the need for "worker" priests, and the openings for overseas service were given by Mr S. Dalziel and Mr P. Murray.
The presence of a panel to discuss the problems brought forward by various camps was greeted with enthusiasm. Indeed, the panel provided some assistance and much amusement.
Rehearsals for the International Club's Variety Concert are in full swing. A play is being prepared in the university gymnasium and it was discovered that part of this play—The Dream of the Maya—will feature the dance of the nymphs.
The Fijians are producing acts, typically Fijian, labelled "Fijians at Leisure."
From the Indonesians there will be choir items, while the Vietnamese will be presenting "The Faithful Wife," and "Nostalgia."
The concert will not however be exclusively Asian. New Zealand, England, Germany, and Spain are also represented.
There are rumours that there will be a strip tease. For the benefit of some parents, It should be noted that this item will not involve any Miss Victoria contestants. Somehow or other, a charwoman is involved in this strip tease.
The music will come from the International Club Band.
For years now, people have been trying to eliminate the "Victoria" from V.U.W. on the grounds that the link with the city was not shown clearly enough, and that the title was cumbersome.
And now, for reasons known to themselves alone, the committee that planned the merger of Victoria's branch college at Palmerston North with Massey College have picked on the prize-winning title of Massey University College of Palmerston North!
It didn't take long for Palmerston North students to point out gleefully that, if Victoria University of Wellington is currently abbreviated into VUW, then Massey University College will become abbreviated into MUC of Palmerston North.
Another objection, more serious in tone, was that Massey has been known for generations as a primarily agricultural Institution, and that keeping Massey as the key word in the title will give a wrong impression, and hold back the rapid expansion in Arts and Sciences that is planned for the new university college.
The local citizens in Palmerston North and in the Manawatu who have been talking for years of the time when the University College of Manawatu would be established have been going around with puzzled expressions on their otherwise happy faces.
Rumour has it that VUW's professors have already asked the Council at Vic to have another look at the title.
Students echo that thought in more vivid language in Palmerston North. There, the slogan is Don't Muc us About!
Ron Jarden discussed his new interest, "The Workings of the Stock Exchange," with the Commerce Faculty Club on Wednesday, July 11. He spoke and answered questions for over an hour to about 50 people, predominantly full-time students, in spite of obvious interest to part-timers.
To become a member of the stock exchange, Mr Jarden said, one must first apply to the Court. A thorough investigation of the applicant's background is made before being issued with a broker's licence. One then buys a seat on the Exchange for up to £2,000, compared with £15,000 in Sydney and $100,000 on Wall Street.
Wellington handles only 250 listed shares a day, he said, which necessitates a method of trading calls not used overseas. Elsewhere post trading is used—Sydney handles 500,000 shares each day. Mr Jarden described the types of shares and securities, debentures, preferential shares, and Government and local bodies' stock.
This talk by the most recent member of the Stock Exchange was informative, and presented in a manner that the student could easily understand.
Of interest to irate S.G.M. students, is the letter by Florence Jones to the editor of the Weekly News, vindicating herself and claiming misrepresentation.
Quote: "I am surprised to have appeared in the article as so unperturbed about them. (N.Z.U.S.A. negotiations with the Minister of Education and the University Grants Committee). I blame myself for not having made it clearer to Mrs Wiserman (the reporter concerned) though I thought to have made it clear enough at the time.
"For myself, the article has had the repercussion of a resolution by a Special General Meeting of the Victoria University Students' Association to demand my resignation from NZUSA—and has enabled Members of the House who quoted it in last Thursday night's debate to "prove" that some students, the students represented themselves, are satisfied with the fees and bursaries regulations as they stand, and to represent a split in student opinion between those who are In favour and those who are against.
"There is no such satisfaction and no such split."
The Auckland University Students' Executive carried the following motions on July 4:
"That the Executive congratulate NZUSA upon the results of their negotiations with the government on the question of increased fees."
"That the President write to the President of NZUSA stating this meeting's confidence in Miss Florence Jones, as the newspaper article in the Weekly News dated June 13, does not warrant a vote of no confidence, but that more care be taken in future over newspaper interviews."
A blow has been struck for freedom from imperialist shackles by the Anarchist Association. In the words of Dwyer, "a little loyal demonstration" was held in the Plaza Theatre, Dwyer, upheld by about 20 anarchist stalwarts, including Shanley and Butterworth, refused to stand for the Queen.
In a letter to Salient, the Secretary of the Labour Department informs that students are not exempted from military service. They have to serve the full term under the National Military Service Act passed by the National Government.
This act provides that the minister may from time to time stipulate the age group liable to register for service. Those to whom such notice applies must register within fourteen days of its publication. At present, some 20-year-olds are already in uniform.
Minister of Labour Shand's pronounced Intention is to call up 20-year-olds each year. However, until a further notice is published in the Gazette no other age group is liable to register, states the Department.
The periods of training required under the act are:—
Under the act, persons liable can apply for postponement. Grounds can include hardship. Says the Department: "Thus a person may apply for postponement to a training date more suitable to him because of his employment or studies." He may apply for indefinite postponement of his liability.
University students will generally be made available only for training camps beginning early in January each year. Special arrangements have been made by the army to enable University Students to complete their fourteen weeks training in two annual periods of seven weeks.
Those who seek postponement until the completion of their studies will have to forward their application for hearing by a Military Service Postponement Committee.
"If you want to know the party line on C.M.T. look in Hansard," said the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer.
Salient's perusal of Hansard revealed that in past debates the Labour Party has consistently condemned C.M.T. It was an inefficient method of keeping up the armed forces in relation to its cost.
R. J. Tizard, writing in the "Statesman", said: "Short term training, with recalls to camp and a fairly long period on reserve, does not meet the need for a fully prepared force."
Mr Nordmeyer declined to say what the Party would do if it came into office in the next election. "At the moment, following many internal changes, Party policy is in a state of flux. I do not feel I can say with certitude what we will do."
Asked if he had any personal comments to make, Mr Nord-Meyer became less reticent. He felt that C.M.T. had become outmoded. Events had moved rapidly, he said, and C.M.T. stood nowhere in relation to the nuclear bomb.
Mr Nordmeyer emphasised that his personal feelings were naturally the same as party policy. He would not say whether this was because he subjected his own feelings to the party line, or because he had great influence in the making of the party. He felt that future party policy would follow the lines recorded in Hansard.
He would say nothing further on the subject.
On this question, the Hon. W. A. Fox, Minister of Marine in the last Labour government said:
"University students should be treated no differently from any one else." Mr Fox felt that the dispute about the requests to examine University files was purely an administrative difficulty was unnecessary, he said, and of course would not have arisen if C.M.T. had not been brought in.
Like Mr Nordmeyer, he thought that party policy on this matter would not change at the next election.
"I think university students will find their mental horizons broadened and their knowledge of life deepened by their training in the armed forces." This was the opinion of Mr D. J. Riddiford (Gov., Wellington Central). "This will be an invaluable supplement to what they have learnt at the university from books, lectures, and the university life generally."
Mr Riddiford said that he could not support the view that university students should be exempted from C.M.T. Further, said Mr Riddiford:
"I am unconvinced that the Government should give financial aid to students undergoing fourteen weeks military training. The pecuniary loss in such a short period would seldom be serious; in fact there will often be financial gain."
"It would be hard to justify aid to students while denying it to other classes of the population where financial loss could well be greater," concluded Mr Riddiford.
All committee meetings of World Affairs Council are to be open to members and other interested students. This was decided at the A.G.M. of the Council. Amongst the committee, duties are to be portioned out on a portfolio basis.
Officers elected: President: R. J. Bromby; Vice-President: J. K. Murphy; Treasurer: I. W. Hart; Overseas Secretary: T. Bulankulame; Internal Secretary: D. S. Tossman; Minutes Secretary: W. Dwyer.
History lecturer doll—you wind it up and you get a medal
Armour Mitchell doll—you wind it up and it apologizes.
Bill Dwyer doll—you wind it up and it winds up all the little pink dolls.
Peter O'Brien doll—you wind It up and it interrupts you.
VUWSA doll—you wind it up and it passes the key on to a subcommittee.
Margaret Walker's production of Chekhov's The Seagull opens on Saturday, July 21, in the S.U.B. running for seven nights. The sets and costumes have been designed to reproduce the atmosphere of rural Russia in the
Chekhov writes plays that are difficult to present since there is comparatively little action and the whole effect depends on subtle production and acting. But Margaret Walker is probably the most experienced producer of Chekhov in the country. Her productions of The Cherry Orchard for the Drama Club in The Three sisters for Unity Theatre in
The part of Mme Arkadina is played by Nicolette McKenzie, Nina, the Seagull, by Angelica Heinegg. Trigorin by Peter Sim, Konstantin by Michael Hattaway, Masha by Andra Akers. Stage manager Jeremy Parsons.
Tickets can be booked at the D.I.C.
Within three days of their affiliation the Contemporary Arts Group held a "Shoestring Concert" in the Memorial Theatre. Over two hundred were present. It was unfortunate that there were the usual flaws of an amateur concert: lack of a competent M.C., poor continuity between items and a badly planned programme which didn't end until approximately 11.15. The quality of items ranged from the I sublime to the ridiculous.
Jazz Club members contributed two short sets at the beginning and end of the concert. Compared with some of the heavier items in a I rather pretentious evening the club was a breath of fresh air.
Murphy's forceful trumpet and Gervin's refined alto—showing a slightly more masculine vigour than in previous concerts—led a small but voluble group. Bassist Tommy Tamati and drummer Dave Lawrence although failing sometimes to provide the necessary rhythmic foundation, produced some irrepressible humour, and the high spot of the evening's jazz was probably the dialogue between the two. John Scully, beautifully deadpan, introduced in his best avant-garde manner a bit of Palm Court sax calculated to confirm the "highbrow" opinions of jazz. When the boys took themselves seriously they were less successful.
Peter Bland was obviously ill at ease in the unnatural context of a stage, but he seemed to relax more when he spoke several of his poems. The first few poems combined farce with force and were technically deceptively simple. The Love Song was an aesthetically sensual poem with delicacy in the imagery. He was clearly the outstanding genuine poet of the evening.
Alistair Campbell was disappointing. His Love Song of cows and daffodils and a country lane seemed a little Wordsworthian.
Tim Eliot gave a delightful rendering of the verse of the 19th century Scottish "poet" McGonigal. He declaimed this preposterous "inspired" verse in broad and ponderous Scots burr.
Peter Varley recited Lorca's Lament. I'm afraid the audience remained unmoved to the tragedy of Ignatio's death, as the reading was a little too stylized and pompous to convey any depth of emotion.
The choreography of the dancing was satisfactory but there were flaws such as the lack of synchronisation in the Rhumba dancing and poor choice of music in the final dance by Jane Maddox. An interesting experiment was the dance improvisation by Jane Taylor to a poem read most effectively by Con O'Leary.
An Academy Award "Plasticine" film made by O'Neill of Christ-church was an excellent choice. This allegoric cartoon "A Flight to Venus" involved a novel technique using animation of grotesquely human plasticine puppets. The film begins with a campaign for recruiting spacemen. The intrepid volunteer who survives the "medical" sets off in a rocket and lands on desolate Venus. On a little plaque inscribed: "Laid by the few survivors of an atomic war who now live underground."
Underground he discovers some little green men who greet him tearfully. "Why do you cry?" he asks. The reply is: "Many years ago, life was easy. Venus was in peace. But just in case we had lots of conferences. And just in easel the Greens made Atom bombs. And just in case the Reds made Atom bombs. Then one day . . ."
... A terrifying symbolic representation of atomic explosion is followed by scenes of silent desolation. The background theme of "Pop goes the Weasel" played very slowly heightens the dramatic effect of bathos.
The spaceman invites the little creatures to return with him to Earth, but through a telescope they show him Earth with tiny mushroom-clouds popping out everywhere.
This was a technically brilliant film and deserves to be commended for its dramatic originality.
Jennifer McLeod gave a sensitive rendering of three pleasant but rather trite piano compositions by Gary Mutton. The Boulez Piano Sonata No. 1, 1st movement played brilliantly by Robin Maconie was not received seriously by the audience. This drastically impressionistic experiment (similar to electronic music) was a little long for the amused listeners and when someone began to add chirruping sound effects, Mr Maconie left abruptly in disgust.
It was a pity that the two sonnets by Charles Brasch set to music by Douglas Lilburn sung by Nelson Wattie had to be cancelled due to the lateness of the hour.
This year's Interclub A Grade Championship has seen many upsets caused by blunders and oversights by players who have had n positions. Such a one is the following:—
"Yes, I like being here at Victoria very much," said Associate Professor L. H. Palmier, Head of the Asian Studies Dept. "Vic Is a university In the true sense." He explained that this was mainly j because the place was still small, enough for one to meet people with interests in many other subjects apart from one's own.
Victoria had improved a great deal during the four and a half years Dr Palmier has lectured here.. However, he would like to see administrative performance accelerated in the future. He felt that this could be achieved by recruiting additional capable staff.
Professor Palmier spoke of an essential difference between N.Z. students and their Asian counter-parts.
"Western students are generally far more lackadaisical in their studies. In Asia, among this generation, there Is a great urge to receive the highest possible education. There is great keenness against great odds—the expense of books, the lack of studying room, and light to continue work after dark."
He told of the tremendous pressure in some subjects, for example, maths, and physics. "Staff can literally pick and choose whom they take."
The professor accounted for this desire for education. He said that because it was not free, it was valued highly. The social structure was generally aristocratic, and the aristocracies valued learning. This, he said, was the very opposite of the egalitarianism which exists in New Zealand.
This thirst for education evidently exists on a national scale. "In spite of the general poverty," said Dr Palmier, "the government grants money to the university with a liberal hand." In the new universities, there were few restrictions on expenditure. The buildings were extremely modern and Vic's Easterfield Block compared very favourably with them.
University staff in Asia were very scarce indeed. The professor told of circumstances in which it was common practice for a man to lecture at one university for a few days, then fly to another hundreds of miles away to continue teaching. Dr Palmier stressed the importance of students being interested in their courses at the University. I He thought it a great pity that many students take subjects they were taught at school, simply because they had always been taught them. "Never after University," he said, "will you get such a chance to study and find out about what interests you."
When asked about his philosophy, the Professor displayed caution. "That is a difficult question to answer," he commented. "Whatever one says is likely to be misinterpreted. And anyway, it is impossible to say anything favourable about oneself."
After some thought he continued;
"I think one retains one's mental balance by trying to forget oneself in a cause or a goal. That is best achieved if one does not insist on recognition of one's contribution to it."
"My goal has varied," said the Professor. "I feel it is double-sided 'at the moment. I want Westerners to understand the problems of Asia. I also wish to help in what way I lean, to overcome or to alleviate the problems that exist. Our society should encourage service in a cause, rather than personal achievement."
A police state can be defined as "a state in which personal liberties and the basic freedoms can be taken away from a man by the head of the policy, without any conviction or sentence by a proper court, or without any right of appeal against the decision." South Africa is a fully-fledged police state.
The National Union of South African Students (NUSAS) has appealed to all Student Associations throughout the word to protest against the "sabotage bill" drawn up by the South African government.
This Bill (the "General Law Amendment Bill") is probably the most vicious piece of legislation ever to have been introduced into any country in time of peace, apart from Nazi Germany. It was drawn up by the Minister of Justice, a Nazi who was interned during World War II for Nazi sympathies and activities, and it reflects the pattern of legislation of the Hitler regime.
The Bill gives this man complete powers With No Appeal. to a Court of Law:
These are only a few provisions of the Bill which will directly affect student organisations and their leadership.
Students have been demonstrating throughout South Africa. In Natal a mass protest march took place. In Johnannesburg some 2,000 students joined a protest march of 6,000 on the City Hall which the police broke up with tear gas. In Cape Town students formed the main contingent in another mass protest. Mass student gatherings have been held at the Universities of the Witwatersrand, Cape Town, the two sections of the University of Natal in Durban and at the Pietermaritzburg section.
Students are working actively with various civil defence committees to manifest radical opposition to the Bill and have participated in mass marches which have been attacked by fascist thugs.
In response to the international appeal of NUSAS the following cable was sent to the Prime Minister of South Africa:
"The New Zealand University Students' Association Joins with Nusas in their Unequivocal Opposition to the Provisions in the General Law Amendment Bill which can Remove the Personal Liberties and Basic Freedoms of the People of South' Africa."
If the job of the Exec. is to look after the interests of the students then it is time it took a look at the wages paid to students who work in the cafeteria. Five shillings an hour for females and six for males seems a trifle low at any time, particularly for Saturday and Sunday work.
The signs seem to indicate that strife may again return to Algeria. When a people take to the sword to win independence it gets to be a habit and the tendency is to solve subsequent differences by familiar means.
Mr A. B. Grant's description of the Arbitration Court as the "socio-economic contraceptive which frustrates full play between the worker and his employer" is certainly a gem.
Things in Cuba must be improving. The only news we hear in our papers are of failures and un-savoury doings. No news, we can take it is good news.
The wonderful egotism of L.D.A. was delightfully illustrated by his welcoming remarks delivered to Mr Khruschev upon Mr K's joining L.D.A's campaign against Jazz; "the major evil of our time".
N.Z's acceptance of fifty orphans from Hong Kong shows true Kiwi generosity. It is an act of Christian charity.
The amendments made by the Government to overcome some of the anomalies in the changed fee system, instituted last year are welcome but inadequate. The main attack on existing conditions was the shortening of the terms of bursaries. The price of failure is too high, the rewards of success too low.
The refusal of the Hong Kong authorities to accept illegal immigrants from China has been criticised. The particularly vociferous objections of the Australians, whose chief claim to fame is their White Australia Policy, must have rankled.
In his budget Mr Lake has failed to face up to the fundamental problem affecting the country today. We can no longer afford to subsidise the incomes of the farmer at the present unrealistically high level.
Rimbaud writes of the dark beauty of death and destruction. Today death and destruction have assumed a brighter more beautiful form.
"If winter comes can next winter be far behind."
"Most people regard me as un-principled." This surprising remark came from Dr. S. G. "Doc" Culliford, Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor, and honorary lecturer in English. There came a hasty cone Hon and elaboration. "This is slightly wilder than I intended. If there is something that I think is right, I will endeavour to get it done, regardless of other
Questioned on his position and powers of administration, he explained that the administration was accomplished by the complex relationship of the Professorial Board and the Council. Although the university did not really have any feudal structure, the Council did hold the ultimate authority. Dr. Culliford's tasks: "I do all the dirty jobs." However, the doctor finds his work in the university rewarding as well as demanding. "I have no complaints."
These "dirty jobs" leave no time for indulgence for any interest in, for example, music or T.V. However, since his days in Scots' College First XV, Dr. Culliford still retains a great enthusiasm for rugby, and is, at present, coaching a team of former Weir House boys.
When reminded of his prowess in reciting the notorious lines of "Eskimo Nell", Dr. Culliford responded with a delightful, reminiscent grin of amusement. "In my opinion, it is a piece of folk literature, which deserves to be remembered." It is well known amongst a number of students, that Dr. Culliford has the ability to recite the verses of this "epic" in their entirety—apparently even more magnificently when he is slightly "reinforced."
However, it is unfair to label the doctor as a partyman. As well as a brilliant academic career—M.A. (University College of London), Dip. Ed. (Victoria), and Ph. D. (London), he has a remarkably distinguished war record.
Having earned the D.S.O., his most famous exploit was honoured by the Polish government, who awarded him the Virtuti Militari, their highest decoration—equivalent to the V.C. A member of the R.N.Z.A.F. from
"There was nothing very extra-ordinary about it," said Dr Culliford. "The most difficult moment occurred when we realized that the plane had got stuck in the mud, and that we would have to dig ourselves out. With the Germans closing in, this was quite nerve-wracking."
There was a further point — the plane was unarmed.
Dr. Culliford's advice to students was short and succinct. "You are here to gain an education—get stuck in and do it."
"I should talk," he said with a rueful smile, "I failed every unit in my first year."
Dr. Culliford was born in Napier in
He lectured in English at Victoria from
He has written one book — "An Introduction to Shakespeare's Texts."
In its '62 report to the Students' Association, Exec labelled the present bursary scheme as "most unsatisfactory." The scheme, said the report, is "a basically short-sighted attempt to train and channel graduates into certain understaffed sectors of the economy." The present bursary system made it difficult for students to pursue the more general courses, and made joint degrees "prohibitively expensive.'
An appendix details the negotiations with the Government about bursaries. Resolutions passed at the N.Z.U.S.A. Council, Easter,
Direct negotiations with the Minister in the fall of
Vic's own Exec asserts that it is ("very concerned that tuition fees were increased so suddenly and drastically," but claimed that it would be "exceedingly difficult to 'make an effective protest against the new system unless it could be shown that hardship was being caused." In response to a Salient ad. only two people came forward to admit they suffered hardship from the increased fees. Exec .members considered it "more expedient" and "consistent with our overall policy" to concentrate on increased bursary assistance rather than fighting for fees cuts.
Stud Ass. publications met with varying success .the report said. "Salient" is still running at a considerable loss, but circulation reached an all-time high of
The main trouble with the Public Relations portfolio, the report said, was "to find a defined and useful set of duties to fall under this heading" The P.R.O. mentioned such duties as the arrangement of secondary school tours, regular articles in daily newspapers, an annual Open House Week, the provision of outside advertising for suitable student events and publicity for some of the more interesting academic work being done at Vic. Future plans include talks over the air or to town organizations. Little comment was made about the Rubbish Stunt and the report 'claimed that removal of public prejudice about students was "more a matter of individual contacts" than of official action by the Association.
The House Committee mentioned the extensive damage to S.U.B. I facilities, particularly in the Common Room.
About half-way along Willis Street. Very smooth-flowing silent wool for knitting during lectures. Muffled needles sold. Seriously though, specialists, with the bait range of plys and colours in town.
At 102 Lambton Quay, Phone 43-910. Religious books of all descriptions, e.g., theological, devotional, church history — and children's.
54 The Terhace, Carry a Complete Range of Student Books in Commerce and Law.
Price Lists Available on Request.
(University Booksellers and Stationers) Lambton Quay, Wellington.
For the moat complete range of Text Books. Discounts available to Students for Text Book Purchases.
Half-way along Willis Street. The bulk of the stock Penguins, plus selected American educational titles—probably the best representation in town of really good paper-backs. Useful references in Pelican, especially for English, History, Philosophy, Psychology.
Comes a degree. Comes a wife, child and bank account. Oat In early with a BNZ cheque account. Pay by cheque. Get the record of your statement. Control your spending.
A network covered by trams, diesel buses and trolley buses, will taka you anywhere In the City. Timetables can be procured at the Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place Terminals at 6d. per copy. The sight-feeing tours ere truly remarkable and will make you familiar with the terrain of Wellington. Telephone 42-719 for further information.
(Witcombe & Caldwell)
Half-way along Willis Street. Long-standing connection with University sport. Every one of Vic's twenty-four sports catered for here All contingencies provided for.
Nearest to the University, on the corner of Willis and Manners Streets. Many like the Back Bar. Never too crowded and comfortably twilit. Handy to eating places. Red Band Draught, drawn from a refrigerated tank room.
In the T. & G. Building, opp. Cable Car Lana A most handy shop with the usual range of soaps, cosmetics, ointments and soothing balms. Prompt prescription service.
At No. 3 Ballance Street, in the Maritime Building. Wholesale wine and spirit people. Vintners to Students' Assn. Especially of interest are their sweet and dry sherry sold in flagons, which go well at a party. Also rod and white dry table wines at 6/-. Minimum order 2 gallons.
Three recent one-man exhibitions provide material for an interesting essay in contrast and comparison. There is, on the one hand, the work of an Auckland artist, Nelson Thompson, to consider.
In sharp contrast to the work essayed by Mr Thompson, we have a showing at the so-called "Cultural Centre Art Gallery", by Gordon Brown, a curiously introverted artist, whose work stands out in vivid contrast to that of Barry Brown and Don Driver, exhibited in the Centre Gallery.
Thompson is, essentially, a water-colourist, and a very good one; Brown, on the other hand, contrives at various media-gouaches, contes, water-colours and oils—but in none does he achieve the effect obtained by Thompson. Brown and Driver showed mostly oil paintings.
The work of these two young artists, Brown and Driver, is very experimental; lacking in any Indication as to either aims or future development, and, while some interesting effects are achieved, is generally of little import. I feel these two painters have a very long way to go yet. However, at least these two are moving somewhere; Brown gives one the impression that a sharp prod is needed to wake him up; his work is extremely repetitious in theme, design and effect.
Peculiarly animated work, vividly projected thought processes, as it were, are thrown at the viewer, who is rather at a loss to classify the author in terms of accepted cinteria.
Is Brown a futurist? Is he, as his titles lead one to suspect, having a go at social realism as well? Obviously he has been profoundly affected by contemporary European influences and trends In painting—as have, for that matter, Brown and Driver. All three, however, lean too heavily upon their masters.
In "Jacob's Ladder" and "First Breath of October," Brown shows us that he can combine a particular mood with freshness and cartoon-like vitality. In other work he is quite dead.
I visited, by the way, the so-called "Museum of Contemporary Art." I was amazed (with the exception of a Judy Cassals) to see so much down-right junk and spurious effusion. I'm afraid such works as "Interlobular Spaces," "X Mas (sic) in Hell," "Jan Uskopf," and "Spaceman" don't appeal to me. Neither does the price of 150 guineas asked for junk by the Director, tickle my fancy.
Just what exactly is the N.Z.B.C. trying to do with "Arts Review"? Is it trying to equate the Arts with an exclusively feminine viewpoint?
Opening these days with a few pretentious guitar strummings, capably backed by the acid dry monotone of Peter Bland, the show invites the listener to re-assess recent activities In the Arts with the aid of critics whose views he already knows. Owen Jensen may be a fine critic; Russell Bond's views we can read each morning, but as much as we may like or dislike reading reviews from them both, must we be subjected yet again to the same ideas?
Surely, the old panel discussion—with all its limitations—was more effective in bringing out differing points of view. Perhaps the present policy caters for illiterate critics?
The Galleries have been conspicuous for their absence on recent programmes or, more exactly, for their one totally inadequate and ludicrous appearance under the "Woman's Hour." Twice now, we have had interviews of Arts personalities (no doubt a value to the ladies), by Robin King. I feel Nelson Thompson was done a serious injustice; the re-broadcast "Woman's Hour" interview between himself and Robin King, over "Arts Review" was just plain silly. Why was there no criticism, no discussion of his works by critics?
One hopes that the N.Z.B.C. will wake its ideas up! To have whole editions devoted to discussion of Drama in New Zealand, or of the Theatre (with such eminent critics as B. Crump, Esq.) at a time when Wellington has a surfeit of musical and other events, Is nothing better than crazy planning.
The whole trouble with the old panel discussion, of course, was the difficulty in getting critics qualified to speak on the various arts—music, ballet, drama and the fine arts. We had music critics saying, "Well, I'm no expert on painting, but here goes . . ."(!)
However, we did get more than one man's opinion which is always refreshing. After all, a critic can only give his bona fide opinion to be "taken or left" by the listener. When we get several persons' opinions, then we have more opportunity to test them against our own reactions.
Unfortunately in New Zealand, there is an unhealthy public reaction towards a critic's opinion. If people disagree with the critic they immediately abuse him, taking his views as a personal Insult to their integrity. An Interesting illustration of this was manifested recently, when Roger Savage—who later appeared in an "Arts Review" edition—made a scathing criticism of one of the performances of the visiting Hungarian String Quartet. Who is to doubt his sincerity? There is no reason in the world; yet members of the National Orchestra—as though their professional status contained an implied right, ex officio, to abuse critics—leapt to the fray, pouring critically Invalid, ill-deserved vindictiveness at "R.S." But, it was noticeable, No constructive analysis of the particular performance was forthcoming.
It was most interesting to hear Savage's re-evaluation of the Quartet's playing. I rather think most listeners, and discriminating readers, would have taken "R.S.'s" opponents' childish jabberings at their face value.
Recently, the Brazilian National Union of Students started a campaign to recruit young men to fight in Cuba. An appeal was made to support any movement which would bolster the Fidel government.
Students joined with Industrial workers to hold demonstrations supporting the Cuban regime.
Customs officers in Wellington have banned the importation of another large consignment of books.
Included in the bannings are: "Treasure Island," by R. L. Stevenson (an obscene reference to buried chests.)
"Fun in Bed," by Enid Blyton (a book of parlour games for sick children.)
The Fifth Symphony by Beethoven ("outrageous symbolism.)
Officials have sent "Jane's All the World's Ships" back to the publishers. They were told to delete all reference to naval.
(The last article in the series on film censorship in New Zealand, by Arthur Everard)
An oft aired cri de Coeur (in the correspondence columns of Salient a few weeks back, for instance), is for the right of the artist to have his work seen untouched by profane hands. It is felt, by some people, that the results of creative artistic effort are holy works, not to be altered in any way, and to be regarded as sacred relics.
Or the point of view is taken that as right thinking individuels in a freedom loving democracy, we should have the right to see what we want to without being dictated to by others.
With both these claims I am in hearty agreement—almost.
I am the first to complain when a film Is projected on the wrong size screen for instance, as I regard this as contravening the director's intentions as much as any excision ever did. I also dislike being told what I may see or not see by others, especially when I might have a desire to look through my neighbour's window.
No, like all airy fairy idealistic generalisations, they can be shot full of holes by a determined opponent—Individual cases have to be examined In terms of a self contained autonomy and not by comparison with a sweeping hold-all yard stick approach.
Anyway, who is an "artist" and who is not? If a sensationalist tries to make a fast pile of money with a nasty quickie, on the one hand, or a blockbuster spectacular on the other, Is he not just as much an "artist" as anyone else who makes a film "seriously" or "sincerely"?
It's rather reminiscent of the way that some of the first newspapers to cry Freedom of the Press when admonished for undue emphasis on the lurid aspects of crime are those that mistake freedom for licence.
Then again, there is the case of the film with sober intentions whose effect may be completely different from what is expected by its maker and whose lesson may be misapplied.
After Rebel Without A Cause was screened, we had an outbreak of "chicken" behaviour which led directly to fatalities and accidents. This can be traced directly to the Nicholas Ray film, even though the director certainly never intended to glamourise or condone such behaviour. (The reviewer can legiti-mately claim also that he didn't do much to dissect out or explain the reasons for it either.) Similarly, if The Wild One, a film directed by Laslo Benedek and a serious study of the roots of violence in adolescence, were shown here one could predict that there would be a trail of wrecked motorcyclists across the country in its wake—made up of morons who saw only the surface phenomena of motorcycle boots, black leather jackets and fast motorcycles as a justification of their own vandalism.
When it comes to the art film proper, i.e., what we would call Hiroshima Mon Amour, Shadows or Wild Strawberries, it is the censor's job to decide if the explicit scenes of violence or sex fit into the general standard (or context) of the film. The nude scenes in One Summer of Happiness, Extase, Adam and Eve and Hiroshima Mon Amour all have different meanings and are invested with emotional climates as different from one another as they all are from some scenes of nudity in burlesque and strip tease films.
This question of intent and context is usually the one that starts the argument about censorship' being bigoted and stultifying. We cannot develop the question of the ethnos of censorship in general, we can only note that the censor Is made necessary by the shortcomings of an industry which either can not or will not develop Its own standards of suitability, J and that he has a difficult job which isn't going to keep everybody happy all the time. Censorship In New Zealand is far more liberal and sympathetic than that in most overseas countries.
As he himself has pointed out, his job consists primarily of classification and then mainly of defending one section of the public from another—justifying himself in face of such questions as "Why didn't you cut the swear words out of Saturday night And Sunday Morning, or the sex from Hiroshima Mon Amour? Why do you let those silly advertising films be shown?"
A couple of factors of which we take too little notice are, firstly, that there is no cutting in New Zealand on ideological or political grounds. This is more than can be said even for Great Britain. Secondly, even though the Censor can remove specific sections of offensive or obscene material, who can alter a film which portrays a completely false or negative set of values as its reference frame; for example, On The Waterfront or The Hustler?
From the numerous queries raised by readers of the preceding articles in this series, I culled some of the more interesting and presented them to the Censor and Registrar of Films (Mr McIntosh) for his comments. These questions, with his answers, follow below:
How is commentary deleted—does it necessitate removing a harmless accompanying image, or is it wiped and the soundtrack left blank?
In practice, both image and sound are taken (commentary is not usually "harmful" with a "harmless" image.) A lot of sound can accompany only a couple of frames of film.
Is political censorship practised in New Zealand?
As such, definitely not. If the material were offensive in itself it would be removed, but not just because of ideological reasons.
Just which films are exempt from censorship?
Scientific films (including natural history), religious, educational, medical and surgical, cultural, sporting and any other films which, in the Censor's opinion, are used mainly for education or instruction or for cultural purposes.
Why was The Blue Angel (Jannings and Dietrich version) banned? It seems pretty innocuous now.
In the audience climate of that period of the twenties, this film of a man's degradation was much stronger than anything hitherto seen. It was pretty strong meat for most film goers.
Do you think then, that audiences are becoming more discriminating In their appreciation?
Definitely, but not all, of course.
What is the Censor's attitude to nudist films?
No set one—each treated on its merits and intent of material.
Striptease sequences were cut from The World By Night on the grounds that striptease is not legal in New Zealand. Neither is drug taking or murder. Why pick on striptease then when other offensive actions are shown—even glamourised.
They were excised not or grounds of legality especially, but mainly because of intent. Anyway, in striptease performances the audience is guilty of an offence also, but not in watching murder.
Do you regard films as an art form?
Are all pictures "Art" or all writing "Literature"? Some are, some aren't!
Held together by a knowledgeable and amusing commentary by Mr Roger Savage, the somewhat "bitty" concert held by the Music Society on July 27th, in honour of Igor Stravinsky's eightieth birthday, proved to be an interesting and stimulating evening for the large audience and performers alike.
The high standard usually achieved by the students at Music 'Society concerts was fulfilled on this occasion. There was a professional touch with guest artists Honour McKellar (contralto), Frank Gurr, Alan Gold, Ronald Weatherburn (clarinets) and Margaret Nielsen (piano).
Miss McKellar, accompanied by Messrs Gurr, Gold and Weather-burn, gave a delightful performance of Stravinsky's "Berceuses du Chat". The four pieces have the conciseness of a set of aphorisms and Stravinsky with an unusual trio of clarinets (E flat, clarinet in A, and bass clarinet) produces an impression in sound of the physical characteristics of the cat: lithe and sinuous, serene and stealthy. The polished performance by the artists fully realised the intention of the work.
The "Serenade in A" which ended the programme was apparently written with the gramophone in mind. None of the four movements is longer than three and a half minutes in order to fit on 78's.
The work is an example of what Stravinsky calls "polar tonality" and "extended tonality", as it is entirely constructed round the note A, which acts as the tonal centre to which all the sounds have reference. This work is considered by many to be Stravinsky's best composition for the piano and Margaret Nielsen's authoritative performance certainly presented it at its best.
Stravinsky's fondness for early music was given a fitting tribute by the Clifton Singers (conductor, Peter Zwartz) who sang a group of 16th century English Madrigals. This choir is only recently formed but the standard of the performance, with excellent balance of sound and good intonation, was very high.
The work is stimulating and very interesting but I must confess that I find music with occasional "bumps" preferable to "bumps" with occasional bits of music. However, I did occasionally manage to pick out the "Theme" which Mr Maconie kindly played for us before he started the work.
Other contributions, all of Stravinsky's works, included a well-played performance of the "Double Canon", by a string quartet led by Jim Hessell, a lively and most spirited presentation of "five easy duets" for piano by Jenny McLeod and Murray Brown, a sincere performance of two of the three "Liturgical Pieces".
The Music Society is to be congratulated for providing concerts of this type which, judging by the large number of students present, play a very important role in the cultural life of the University
As the number of both imported and locally pressed classical records is gradually growing less and less with each month that passes, the highbrow collector is thrown more and more into the arms of any specialist source who has a trickle of the overseas issues still arriving or must depend on the twin sisters of World Record Club and The Record Society. While all their discs are usually well engineered, I wish the Record Society would adopt a more exciting packaging for their product instead of the present grey sleeve.
Bruckner. Symphony No 8, in C Minor. The Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan. World Record RZ 603½ (Mono and Stereo).
The first thing one notices about this set Is the superlative playing by The Berlin Philharmonic and the happy way in which the balance of loud to soft passages and the internal balance of the orchestra as well has been managed b> the engineers.
Karajan's interpretation is one in which he tends to linger a bit, something that is fatal in Bruckner ("who always tends to sag anyway," do I hear the comment?) He emphasises the "noble" aspects at the expense of liveliness—especially in the Scherzo, which could be a lot more exciting, but the overall effect is magnificent.
Bruckner addicts should not hesitate to rush this issue, not only because the Eighth was the composer's own favourite, but because out of all the recorded versions (admittedly few) It uses as nearly the original edition as possible, so that there are no cuts as in the later revised edition. It is not likely t that such a fine performance will be matched for quite a long time; the sleeve note is excellent.
(The stereo version is not available yet; a pity, for Bruckner is the one composer above all who needs it.)
Silhouettes. A Selection played by Virgil Fox (Organ), The Swan (Saint-Saens), Elegie (Massenet), To Spring (Grieg), Evening Star (Wagner), etc. World Record TZ 168 (Mono and Stereo).
A fine demonstration disc for low organ notes—guaranteed to startle even the most blase woofer—but the whole selection is played at such a funeral pace that saturation point is soon reached and the treacly mixture (at the best of times) cloys.
Concert Waltzes. Naila Waltz (Delibes), Fete Polonaise (Chabrier), Various waltzes by Tchaikovsky, etc. The Philharmonia Promenade Orchestra conducted by Henry Krips. World Record AZ 51 (Mono and Stereo.)
After having had the misfortune of attending a National Orchestra promenade concert at which Krips made an ass of himself and a mess of the music, I didn't approach this record with much enthusiasm. The faults displayed at the concert are repeated here — the overemphasis on rhythm, lack of subtlety and no delicacy of phrasing. On the credit side, however, there is gusto and vitality and fine recording.
If you want the selection, it is good of its kind and the sleeve is nicely designed.
Opera Intermezzi. Barcarole from Tales of Hoffman, Prelude to Act 3 of La Traviata, Intermezzi from Manon Lescaut, Cavalleria Rusticana, I Pagliacci, L'Amico Fritz, inter alia. The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Herbert von Karajan. World Record AZ 52 (Mono only).
Karajan makes a judicious selection of familiar and lesser known pieces for this collection and they are all well played and recorded, though I would question the slowness of the Entr'acte to Act 4 of Khovantschina. It sounds far more exciting on the old Stokowski black labelled HMV 78 even than here
An interesting oddity is that the late Dennis Brain plays the organ in the Intermezzo from Cav.
Brahms. Symphony No. 3, In F Major, Variations on The Saint Anthony Chorale, Op. 56a. The Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by Erich Leinsdorf. World Record TZ 167 (Mono and Stereo).
A disappointing issue. From the very opening chords the performance of the Third is devoid of any kind of nervous excitement or energy and in the later movements things bog down miserably. The fillup is a lot better, even if there is still nothing to excite, and the recorded sound of both sides is adequate. But who would have expected the Philharmonia to have such an off day?
Bach Organ Works (Volume One of a Three Volume Set): Four Preludes and Fugues; A Minor (BWV 543), B Minor (BWV 514), C Major (BWV 547), C Minor (BWV 546). Fernando Germani on the organ of St. Laurens Church, Alkmaar, Holland. Record Society RZ 6031 (Mono only).
What a magnificent instrument the Schnitzer organ that Germani uses is. Built originally when Bach was still alive, it still has superb tone with a welcome absence of incidental mechanical noises. (It has been overhauled a few times since then, of course.)
This selection contains works that surely must belong in the top rank of those for organ. Germani has beautifully rhythmic control and the music surges forward smoothly and without pomposity on the one hand, or over-sentimentality on the other. BWV 546 and 547 are particularly well done, but the whole disc is well played and cleanly recorded. I am hoping that the next two records of the set are as well presented as this one. (Special credit should be given for the excellently Informative sleeve note.)
In congratulating the women's Indoor Basketball unbeaten Senior B team I would like to point to the club's strength in that they also have another team in the same grade which is doing quite well. The general standard of play within the club has improved considerably with more regular practises in the new gymnasium under the direction of Bill Landreth, who is also assisted by Vic's Texan, Joe Arden. who is the pivot man in the men's senior A team.
A new recruit to the women's team this season is Lillian Betts (younger sister of another Senior A team member, Peter) and an ex-Taranaki A-grade representative.
With Rosalie Erikson, Lillian will provide Vic's representation in the provincial team to play in the North Island B grade champs at Newtown Stadium in mid-July.
Other club members are included in another provincial team to compete at a tournament in Levin on the following weekend.
They are: Bridget Kerr, Lesley Hastings, Sandra Nicholson, and Christine Bridgeman.
From these two squads the final provincial team to play at the N.Z. B grade champs in Nelson during August will be selected. While it is gratifying to see so many club members in the rep squads, the unavoidable clash with Winter Tournament (to be held at the same time as nationals) is unfortunate and the Vic tournament team will be weakened with the loss of at least Lillian Betts, and possibly other key members as well.
Although not as numerous as in previous years the club is very active. Club days are enthusiastically supported and provide good opportunity for Varsity golfers to get together. However, the committee will probably have to give serious thought to the continuing use of Tui Glen course at Wainui-omata. For, although the Tui Glen members have been very kind in allowing the Varsity club to use their course, the distance is proving too far for most students and interest in these club days has definitely waned.
A recent club day at Manor Park was quite well supported and future club activities may be held in the more central courses. At the recent club day the top scorer was the consistent Peter Rankin (78). Other scores included Tony White (82) Dave McKegg (84) and Richard Tuckey (84).
Although the club days provide good fellowship, the club's leading golfers seek competition on a higher plane by competing for local club teams in the Arthur Duncan competition. They are Stewart Crombie (Heretaunga), Tom Gault (Paraparaumu) Peter Rankin (Miramar). Rankin recently achieved distinction by returning the best score of all the players and. with Stewart Crombie he was selected for the Wellington provincial team which played Hawke's Bay last week-end. Amongst a rather mediocre team effort their records were most impressive and this reflects a pleasingly high standard of golf at Vic at the moment, a fact which is borne out by Vic's tournament record in recent years. The last three teams competitions have been won by Vic and the individual title has gone to Slew Crombie (
An added attraction at this year's tournament will be the appearance of an Aussie University team, who will be later touring N.Z. and are due to play a match against Vic in the late August holidays.
In congratulating the Men's Hockey Club on its excellent record this season "Salient" would Like to point out that Karori and Wellington College Old Boys have held a firm grip on the title for some years now and the achievement of the Varsity team in defeating both teams this season while remaining undefeated themselves is a very commendable effort
The team played convincingly in defeating the Old Boys team. 4-2. and also in defeating Karori, 2-1.
Those responsible for this very (me record include the club's two Wellington representatives, Dennis Padget and Wilf Haskell. Padget, in particular, is having a very good season and has several times received more than favourable comment in the local hockey write-ups. However, he would be the first to admit that the excellent record which the senior team has built up is due to a fine team spirit and solid team work.
We congratulate the Hockey team and wish them well in the remaining matches of the season. We look forward to seeing this team capturing the Tournament Hockey Shield in August at Christ-church.
The Badminton Club is faring quite well this season in the local C-grade champs. There are two teams entered and the top players in the "A" team are as yet unbeaten. Safri Zaidell, John Rees and Zul Hamid have all been playing well and should fare well in the Wellington championships to be held in September.
Several young members have replaced the annual loss of several older players and these should see the Badminton club to the fore in the tournament competition in August.
The club has one of the most numerous and active memberships of all Varsity sports clubs, but there is still plenty of opportunity for new members wanting to increase their badminton skills or merely to play a social game.
Club nights are held in the Gym each Friday evening from 7 p.m. onwards.
In
Peter Snell was not very highly rated, even in N.Z., except by a few optimists and a highly confident coach. Since this very fine win Snell has achieved added distinction in the establishment of a string of world records in the early months of this year.
Just what did Snell's gold medal and his world records do for N.Z. athletics in general?
In the first place it gained for his coach, Arthur Lydiard a worldwide reputation as the foremost middle-distance coach of the present day. His coaching and training methods have been implemented, adapted and modified over much of the United States, in England, Australia and other isolated parts of the world. The influence of Lydiard in the emergence of N.Z. and Commonwealth athletics has been recognised in the awarding to him of an O.B.E. and several leading overseas sports journals have awarded him their "Coach of the Year" honour.
Secondly, with this growing recognition came offers of tours for N.Z's top athletes—Snell, Murray Halberg and Barry Magee. These tours have added more to N.Z's reputation and have led to reciprocal tours from American and British athletes, and these tours have helped to awaken the public's Interest in N.Z. athletics. Although the recent crop of athletes were not over-impressive they did help to encourage the rising N.Z. athletes—showing them that there were more athletes in N.Z. equally capable of holding their own in international athletics.
This was recognised by the. N.Z.A.A.A. who arranged a trip to] the U.S.A. recently for John Davies, who appears to be capable of a sub four-minute mile. The prospects of Davies and Snell clashing in middle-distance events in N.Z. next season should again attract the large crowds which flocked to see the sponsored tours during the past two seasons.
While on the subject of overseas tours I would like to congratulate the N.Z.A.A.A. on their attitude to the proposals made by the Norwegian association. The N.Z. council recognised that athletics was an individual sport and that the proposed tour was too demanding on the athletes concerned. At no stage did the N.Z.A.A.A. exert any pressure on the athletes although this would have meant that two other N.Z. athletes would have had an overseas trip.
These internal tours have added much valuable revenue to the coffers of the N.Z.A.A.A. and to the individual centres. The Wellington Centre has purchased new equipment and invested a considerable sum of money towards the construction of a new all-weather track from the proceeds of these sponsored meetings. The West Coast (N.I.) centre, who organised the meeting at which Snell set his world one-mile record in January, have also set aside a sum for the purpose of building an all-weather track.
The Otago Centre raised the money required for their track by a public appeal, and surely some of this interest must have stemmed from the exploits of Snell and his colleagues. Auckland, as was to be expected, was the first centre off the mark in the development of an all-weather track, but in their haste they failed to consult some of the leading coaches who could have helped them, and in consequence the track proved to be too hard and required considerable modification before it was suitable for general use. This mistake led to a more watchful approach to the development of these tracks and thus other clubs in Auckland are at present progressing towards the construction of these tracks. Thus Auckland, which is already dominant in N.Z. athletics is taking a further step ahead with the development of several of these tracks.
Another result of Snell's achievements is the re-awakening of an interest among officials and sponsors alike. They both realise the enormous possibilities in the promoting of athletics in N.Z., and the West Coast (N.I.) Centre is a very good example (outside the Auckland centre) of what could be done in the promoting of athletics.
They have brought the pole-vault (one of the "Cinderella" events in N.Z. athletics) from the back fields and empty sides of the athletics field and staged them in front of the crowd, who have been quick to appreciate the great skill and strength required in this event, The pole-vaulters too have responded to this recognition and the West Coast centre has the best group of vaulters as well as two very promising juniors in this event in N.Z.
First Orpington, then Stockton, now West Derbyshire. In all the by-elections in Britain there has been one outstanding feature—the Liberal Party is on the move again. In 1945, 16,000 people voted Labour at Orpington. What has happened to them since?.
Over the past few months declines in the votes accorded the Conservatives and Labour have been matched by an increase in the Liberal poll. In Orpington that party captured the seat, in Stockton it replaced the Tories in second slot, in West Derbyshire the Socialists. In the last case, it was the first time the Liberals had contested the seat since
To the entrenched politicians of the major parties, the Liberal spectre is frightening. Jo Grimond has intimated that the party will enter sufficient candidates at the General Election to form a government. This is a little optimistic. However, there is a possibility of them splitting the anti-Labour poll, so giving the victory to Transport House. The Tories are not the only ones that are worried. The Labour party, led by Hugh Gaitskell, Is concerned at being pushed to the bottom of the poll. This does not augur well for the General Election.
Opinions vary as to whether or not the resurgence is a "flash in the pan". During the
On the other hand, never has the Liberal increase matched the present upsurge. At recent local body elections the Liberals gained 305 seats with the loss of 15.
Jo Grimond, Liberal leader, sums up the situation as follows: "The Tory colossus, which has dominated the country for so long, has finally had its feet cut from under it.
"The Labour Humpty Dumpty clings terrified to the top of the fence, knowing full well that, if it made a move either on the Common Market or industrial relations, it would be shattered into pieces which could never be put together again.
"We must not forget the aim of victory in the excitement of fighting the battle. It was on the way to the summit of their ideals that the Labour Party got lost".
Apart from the Liberals, Gaitskell is having troubles with the Left Wing of his party. The rebels are worried at the rightward drift of the Labour leadership. Already six M.P's have been expelled. Another 41 voted against Gaitskell's instructions when the Commons voted on the Christmas Island tests.
The left has a point. According to Frank Alluan, M.P., the Liberals stood at Orpington on a more radical policy than Labour. Liberal candidate Lubbock backed: no independent nuclear deterrent, no more H-tests, no nuclear arms for . West Germany, no American bases in England. The Liberals stood themselves as "left of Labour".
A recent Gallup Poll discovered that 48 per cent of the British public wanted a neutral Britain. Only 34 per cent wanted the U.K. aligned with the U.S. So it would seem that as long as Gaitskell, Wilson and others press Labour to the right, the Liberals will continue to pick up the Socialist as well as the dissatisfied Tory votes. The Liberals have managed to retain a capitalist economic policy that is attractive to the right. Nobody quite knows what this policy is yet, but from speeches by Grimond it seems not far different from the Conservative Party.
A good example of Labour Party decline is Orpington, Kent. In
Orpington can be divided into two distinct areas. The middle class area where the Tories formerly held all the local body wards and the working class area, where, of course, the Socialists held sway.
In the
The Liberals captured the Conservative wards, plus some of Labour's wards. Today, the Tories are still in control, with the Liberals needing only four seats to take over. Labour has only two wards.
Trouble did not end there. Labour candidate Jinkinson followed the party line in his campaign and stood against unilateralism. He never once mentioned the word "socialism". Left-wing activists had long left to join the CND. Thousands of Tory voters turned to the Liberals to vent their displeasure of the Government Traditional Labour voters watched their own party fail to present any radical alternative to the Conservatives. Some of them considered Socialism dead, and they too voted Liberal.
The position today makes prediction of the General Election difficult. There are the Conservatives, who have a year to pull themselves out of the economic fire and stop the flow to the Liberals. There are the Labourites, who have little policy and have forced out their vibrant left-wing. There are the Liberals who are every by-election taking large blocs of votes away from the two major groups.
There seems little likelihood of the Labour Party winning the General Election. The only way it could do so is by standing candidates who follow Michael Foot rather than Hugh Gaitskell. The Conservatives will probably remain in power, but with a substantially reduced majority. The Liberals will increase their number of M.P's (at present: 7) and may even hold the balance of power.
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