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The Trouble caused by the withdrawal of the Education Department booklet, "Washday at the Pa" was most disagreeable. Disagreeable for the Maoris, the authoress, the Minister of Education, the Publications Division of the Education Department, and the public.
The booklet was prepared by a young Dutch lady, Miss Ans Westra. Containing some outstanding photography, the booklet showed a Maori family in poor surroundings but full of happiness and joie de vivre. Miss Westra claims that she wanted to portray this happiness, and the cherished values shown by the family.
Unfortunately an unseemly squabble ensued when the booklet fell into the hands of the Maori Women's Welfare League, who expressed indignation at the image it portrayed of Maori women. They heaped scorn on the idea that desirable human values came through and pointed to the scruffy hair shown in some of the photos as being derogatory.
A member of the Maori Women's Welfare League, Mrs. R. Sage, accused Miss Westra of being so ignorant of Maori customs as to photograph children violating tapu laws. The particular photograph shows some children near prepared food. In an interview, Miss Westra indicated that the family had not known of the existence of the particular law.
The emotion of those Maoris who pressed for the withdrawal of the book can be appreciated as just personal feelings, but not as just cause for pressuring the Minister.
They have a valid objection, it appears, in the name of the book. It is giving the impression that the conditions portrayed in the book are the conditions in all pas. Miss Westra noted in our interview that she did not wish to do this—but by mistake she has. The name Pa is broader than just family. However, a note qualifying the meaning of the word is made on the first page.
But none of these objections were adequate to warrant the withdrawal of the book. Even if the photos show something other than desired Western values, it is all balanced against the supreme values of love and happiness, which the Maori has to offer, and the Western world has room to accommodate. If it is argued that the book is reinforcing a stereotype view of the Maori, then the answer must be—maybe, but it is a stereotype being shown in context, being shown contrasted against cherished values! The child who sees the two together will appreciate the Maori more than if he saw the stereotype alone. Surely this is a better educational approach?
The actual steps taken by Mr. Kinsella in withdrawing the book were unsatisfactory. He, who openly admits that he liked the book, thus indicates his rejection of all the justifiable claims the Maori women may have had and in so doing emphasises its real value. He excused the withdrawal by claiming that the family concerned had been teased, and that it would create undesirable racial tensions.
A more appropriate response would have been: "The book offended the sensibilities of a particular group with its realism. As this group concerns the political managers in the National party, pacifying measures were required." The peculiar comment in the National Party monthly Freedom tends to bear this out. It was: "Withdrawal of the Education Department's booklet 'Washday at the Pa.' is a timely reminder of the dangers of exhibiting dirty linen in public."
To state that the book would cause impressionable school children, for whom it was intended, to indulge in racial discrimination is a sufficiently serious assertion to warrant more explanation than the minister gave in his bald assertion. What educational psychology does he base his assertion on?
This booklet shows the children happy like us, gay and enthused with living' to the other children. It shows someone who can get pleasure out of watching Mum cooking and Dad shearing.
For protagonists of the withdrawal to argue that the untidy surroundings should have been shown balanced with more orderly surroundings is outrageous, when one considers all the other trashy literature glamourising the Maori which is distributed, with scant regard for presenting a balanced image.
Take a look, as I did at the selection in your bookshop of publications on the Maori, and try to find one that reflects true Maoridom in transition more effectively.
Some argue that the book, if badly presented in the classroom, would do harm. It so happens that teachers are provided to present material correctly, and if we are to commence providing correcting influences for all our bad teachers, then we will be fully occupied.
A further undesirable precedent set by the incident was that of political interference in educational matters. The minister has clearly uttered a political judgement on an educational issue, displaying a lack of confidence in his department which he would have done better to restrain himself from. Such measures, if repeated, could have the most unfortunate repercussions for the principles which keep the civil service free from political bias, and the right of experts to determine in an expert way what is best for the community.
One cannot help wondering, in retrospect, whether the Maori women would have served their interests better by refraining from indulging in their unseemly display of emotion, which has left an impression of them as being a group of emotional immoderates.
In retrospect, one also wonders why such a booklet, if really considered offensive, should have got past the authorities in the first place.
The most notable point of all arising from the dispute, is the lesson it gives in Maori-pakeha relationships. Namely, that we are not quite sure where we are going. Having the best of intentions, having built up an aura of racial harmony we let the pressures swing us where they will, honing that success will flow our way. . . .
Anthony Hass
Professor Bailey of the Education Department would support the action of the Minister of Education in withdrawing the booklet "Washday at the Pa." He said this in a special interview with Salient.
"
.Childrendo tend to generalise from particulars, and it could be fairly argued that they might do so in this instance," he said. The booklet undoubtedly presented a portrait characteristic of a significant proportion of Maori families, he continued, but unless it was part of an integrated scries designed to show Maori families in a broad range of living conditions it could give the wrong impression
" On balance, I would support the Minister in this situation," said Prof. Bailey. "Washday at the Pa" was something issued within the public school system—which was a creation of the public and under public control. Any government and any Minister must be peculiarly sensitive to an expression of public sentiment in this field, he said. Decisions by Ministers of the Crown must take into account the consequences in terms of public reaction of any particular action that may be taken, particularly in areas of controversy.
The race relations issue was such an area, and Ministers were justified in exercising great conservatism on matters that they judged could lead to a heightening of tension he continued.
"
Much as I abhor what virtually amounts to censorship of a wonderful book, I feel the Minister has valid grounds for his action," the Professor concluded.
Victoria may soon have a Campus bookshop. It will cost students nothing to set up and could even mean a substantial financial gain to the Students' Association. So Salient has been told by Tom Robbins and Alister Taylor, respectively President and Secretary of the Students' Association.
Last year hopes of setting up a bookshop bogged down when it appeared that this would involve a huge financial outlay by the Students' Association and a possible price war with a well known city bookshop.
However, if current negotiations succeed Vic will get a bookshop for free, Salient was told. It will stock between 12,000 and 15,000 titles, including set texts, and provide a range of titles not generally available in New Zealand.
The revival of the bookshop plan arose from an approach made to the Executive by the Managing Director of University Books Shop Ltd. (UBS), Mr. John Griffen. Mr. Griffen. who was supported by Mr. Tony Bell. Australasian representative for Prentice Hall Publishing Co.. offered to set up a bookshop on the Campus if mutually satisfactory arrangements could be made.
UBS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Whitcombe and Tombs Ltd., but, so Salient was told, has a completely different Board of Directors, and is allowed to pursue an independent policy. It was established around
As far as Salient could find out UBS plan to charge the standard prices for books, so students will be paying over the same amount of hard cash that they would to Whitcombes. On the credit side though, Robbins and Taylor stressed that three likely gains would result if the project comes off.
The proposal to merge tertiary educational student bodies into one is an idea which will probably prove in the best interests of all concerned. There may be considerable teething troubles however, in achieving the goal.
All the bodies concerned have the same broad aims, that of ensuring that the most suitable educational facilities are provided for them, and that their internal needs are adequately ministered for. At present all the student tertiary educational bodies are fragmented, consequently they are correspondingly weaker in negotiating.
In a national union of students incorporating all these bodies, there could be a force to be reckoned with; one potentially more powerful than the present, somewhat moribund New Zealand University Students Association. The influence of the teachers colleges with their fund of what ought to be expert knowledge on educational problems will give NZUSA an asset which it needs. Student pleas would come from a broader base than at present, and thus be increased in effectiveness.
NZUSA, some would have us believe, would be swamped to the detriment of University students in this organisation. Such an argument is fundamentally emotive, and ought to be rejected accordingly. If we create a more effective organ, better able to serve our interests, then we have gained. Having a less shifting population than the teachers colleges and the other tertiary groups, we would no doubt remain the dominant force anyway.
Nevertheless, this idea which is not only currency, but reality overseas will face difficulties in translation into reality in New Zealand.
The committee of the resident executive of NZUSA which must ponder the idea, will have to work out how to decide the jurisdiction of the body. Who will pay for it? How? What activities will come under its wing? It is fairly obvious that there is little room for expansion in tournaments, which are already noticeably unwieldy. Will there be complications in having a full time NZUSA president, as projected? Will university students have to "carry" other less competent members? Teacher college organisations at the moment do not appear to be as highly developed as student associations. Will the principle of "in loco parentis" be the cause of conflict between the student body, and the solicitous training staffs? Can the idea get the support it needs from the various student bodies, or will it perish like Icarus who flew too high?
The New Zealand University Student Press Association propose publishing an editors' handbook. Such a handbook is intended to contain material of assistance to new editors of student papers, who often take over their jobs knowing little about the problems they will face. Con O'Leary, editor of the Auckland student paper, Craccum, is preparing a rough draft which will be studied at the next meeting of the Student Press Association, Easter, 1965.
At the Press Association meeting it was announced that Critic, the Otago student newspaper, had won the Student Press Contest for
Commenting on the contest the judges said: "In our view, the newspaper which seeks to give the widest coverage of university affairs, and of events in the community which are of particular interest to students, and which succeeds in editorials, features, news reports and photography, in this aim, together with reasonable literary standards and pleasing make-up, best fu'fi's the purpose of a student newspaper."
Of Salient, which the judges specially commended, they said: "This newspaper is also well produced and the make-up is of a good standard. In news reports and features it was almost the equal of Critic. Faults which detracted from its overall merit included a tendency to editorialise in what clearly purported to be straight news reports rather than the work of acknowledged contributors or columnists who, under a by-line, may properly express any opinion the editor is prepared to publish."
(The Salients considered by the Judges were edited by Bill Alexander and Dave Wright.)
At the Press Association meeting, the president of NZSPA, Rob Laking, resigned, and present Salient editor Tony Haas was elected in his place.
After the close of the meetings, the delegations attended a seminar on the editor-publisher relationship, where problems faced by editors and executives in working together were discussed. A code of ethics was drawn up by the editors, and will be incorporated in the student Press constitution.
The code, based on the International Student Press code, acknowledges that the student Press bears great responsibility to students by virtue of the power to influence student opinion, and declares that it should be mindful of these responsibilities. The code of ethics notes that the editor should realise his special responsibility to provide comprehensive information to his readers so that the social conscience of his paper s readership may be maintained and promoted.
Editors were informed of moves to set up a national student paper. This would be an independent paper, run from Auckland student paper out six times a year.
Sir.—Your heading was a good eye-catcher, but I was disappointed there was not a word about Fanny Hill or Lolita! Thank you, however, for the opportunity to reply.
If I seemed evasive to Mr. Dewhurst, it was only until I had time to ascertain the facts, after which I gave him a frank explanation and a refund which he accepted with goodwill.
The fact was that he then had at half-price a book which would normally sell at about 10/-, and as the expense involved in ordering any book under £1 entails no profit margin, we should in fact have been on the losing end, as management consultants have established that it costs about 6 to write a business letter in New Zealand.
Book Firm Replies
But I realise Mr. Dewhurst is raising bigger issues than just this oddity. If the students follow his idea of employing someone to indent special orders for them, they may be able to do so a trifle cheaper, but there are years of know-how to be built up and you will still not have what you want, a good University Bookshop, but just an indent merchant. To support a great community asset like a good bookshop requires that little bit more to cover the employment of skilled staff and a huge investment in stock. The heaviest write-off in stock in our particular business occurs in University texts because of the many changes and variable factors involved in buying two to three months away from our source of supply.
I am unable to comment on Mr. Dewhurst's last paragraph regarding the price of a series of books, as he has not been specific. It certainly does not conform to any pricing or series within my experience.
Sir,—P. G. Robb's review of Poetry Yearbook '64 is a rather poor piece of destructive criticism.
He begins with a facetious comment ("playing at Noah") which depends on mis-statement of the theme of Yearbook's introduction. Louis Johnson said it was the publishing drought that broke—and backed this up with a list of titles. The break suggests (to Mr. Johnson) that we may be due for a breakthrough—he even thinks there are signs of such a stirring in YearbooK—but he states "the past year . . . (was) not a breakthrough of new voices, but a consolidating triumph for established talents."
Mr. Robb then shows that he hasn't forgotten that this is the year when New Zealand poetry had news notoriety. For one whole column we are subjected to a rehash of the whole mess. Without yet having considered Yearbook he inflicts on us his own prejudices and judgements, phrased in emotive terms. Sometimes his generalisation becomes perilous. He judges the value of eleven volumes on the standard of one.
If Mr, Robb wants to deal with the Literary Fund question the proper place to do this is at the end, after an evaluation of the poetry. Most reviewers, and Mr. Robb is late in the field, have left the financial question alone—editor and publisher have relegated it to a brief editorial note and four sentences on the inside back cover, respectively.
When he does make bold to present the poems to us through his own eyes (after a false start when he quibbles over jacket design and binding—a quibble which ignores printing costs to criticise work which is competent, if nothing more) Mr. Robb fails to judge the poems as they are, but considers them as they might have been. Central to this section are two truisms—that some of the critical judgements are good and some bad; that some of the poems are mediocre and some are worth re-reading. This is as we might expect things to be.
Despite his introduction, it appears that there is some good poetry in the book. But then instead of evaluating the good (as we might expect) he evaluates the bad to the virtual exclusion of the good.
An anthology committed to being a survey of New Zealand poetry faces some difficulties. Obviously most of the good poetry of the year will find publication during the year—in magazines, in bound volumes. Then too, poets won't necessarily send their best work to a publication which is not a status symbol but a self-appointed catalyst of the local literary scene. Finally, to gain breadth for a survey may mean an overall lowering of standard. This editorial policy is of course open to the reviewer to criticise, but not usefully at the same time as he considers editorial content.
Sir,—I notice, with some interest, that the careers supplement carried no advertisement for secondary teaching. This is hard to reconcile with the emphasis that Dr. Sutch put on education in his foreword.
It is possible that the Education Department put forward their current advertising poster and this was neglected because it was grossly misleading. This poster, featuring Mr. Kinsella's stern visage and some salary scales, was recently the subject of an attack by the Labour Party in the House. They claimed that it was dishonest in the extreme.
If those responsible for the careers supplement did in fact, refuse the poster, let me congratulate them. A prominent college in Wellington recently made such a splendid stand. If, on the other hand, no advertisement was put forward, can this be taken as an admission that the poster was misleading, and that the National Government recruitment drive has misfired badly?
Sir,—The review of the "Private Ear" and the "Public Eye" which appeared in Salient of July 16, was little short of extraordinary. Something less than half the diatribe was devoted to the actual production, while the first half-dozen paragraphs were used by the criticaster to air his critical (or should I say hypercritical) jargon.
Jumbled together in a confused and confusing muddle were the names of Kenneth Tynan. Jimmy Porter. Claude Chabrol; and critical "U"-phrases like "theatrical inevitability" (whatever that might mean). and "mise-en-scene" (which, incidentally, was misspelt).
One choice comment read—and I quote—"These coups de theatre were really the okay thing with the nouvelle-vague film makers . . ."
No one can object to constructive intelligent criticism, but this successful Drama Club production surely doesn't warrant this type of semi-derogatory, super-intellectual, and in places grammatically dubious criticism.
Like, I mean, it's not the okay thing.
The banned poem "Hunting of a Queer" may be circulated privately by broadsheet within the next few days. It is a poem we consider all students should read.
Watch the next issue of Salient for . . .
• Vietnam Report
• The Facts about Craft
• " Beyond the Pale"—a frank discussion of the problems of the homosexual and the law.
" The Incident In Hagley Park" was the subject of a poem by Richard Packer, entitled "The Hunting Of A Queer," which Salient's printers, Truth NZ Ltd., refused to publish in Salient.
The poem referred to the acquittal several months ago of a group of youths charged with killing a man, understood to have been a homosexual, in Hagley Park, Christchurch. Considerable doubt has been expressed over the propriety of the jury in rendering an acquittal. The issue has been discussed of recent months in columns of the New Zealand Listener following an editorial by M. H. Holcroft.
Richard Packer published his poem in Christchurch's student newspaper, Canta. Salient requested and was granted, permission to reprint it.
The poem, which Salient's editor considered worth printing because of the pungency of its social comment was not allowed to go past the proof stage by Truth, who were advised by their censor not to print it. Appeal by the Editor did not change the verdict.
Consultation with other legal minds revealed doubt as to the situation of the poem regarding the law.
Several days before Salient heard that the poem was unacceptable to their printers, news was received from Christchurch that a libel case was possibly being presented by one of the jury.
A toll call to Canta's associate editor revealed that the case was not expected to come to a head, there being no legal grounds for a case in the mind of the juror s lawyer.
We regret, then, that we cannot publish the poem and tender our apologies for the libel laws to students and society.
We give, you, however, comments sought from appropriate people on the position of the homosexual in society today, an issue we feel in considerable need of examination.
Mr. Matiu Rata, Northern Maori MP, addressed a small gathering of Maori Club members in the Common Rooms last term. In doing so he had, in a sense, made history of sorts, by being to my knowledge the first Maori member of Parliament with a genuine desire to meet Maori Students. Our invitation to him was unusual in that it was at his request.
The abolition of the seats should be decided by the Maori people, and by no one else. If they jeopardised racial harmony then they should be dispensed with;—but evidence was needed to prove this—so far as could be ascertained none was available.
One of the most unfair arguments against the Maori seats was that there were "only 48,000" or so Maori voters. Electorates were created on the basis of the whole population and not on the number of electors.
They tended to be far too much politicking instead of concentrating on the needs of the Maori. Labour politicked because it had the seats, National because it did not.
One member present at the meeting stated that the presence of separate representation created confusion over integration and wondered whether the four present MP's were Justifying their position. Could not the Maori form a feasible pressure group in an integrated electorate? Rata's reply was again that far too much attention was being paid to the existence of the seats instead of to the problems of the Maori people.
As far as he was concerned there could in fact be a case for more Maori seats. While it was pleasing to see Maoris succeeding in local body elections, it was grossly unfair to expect them to represent only the Maori race. They as members of borough and or city councils were there as representatives of a number of varying interests—especially those of ratepayers and business houses. In the case of a Maori representing an integrated electorate, he felt that the same difficulties would accrue.
Then again, if there was sincerity in the claim for integrated electorates, then he would only be convinced if Maoris who stood, were successful during the elections. If this were so would then there be a case for the abolition of separate representation. Such abolition could only take place after Maoris proved successful in integrated electorates. At present he felt that it would be difficult to convince Maoris that the seats needed doing away with because they felt that this would make the future uncertain.
With regard to the statement 'religion has played too big a part in politics" Mr. Rata replied "Yes, look at the state aid to private schools." Religion always had played its part in politics. It had been said that he owed his political success to his membership of the Ratana Church, however he insisted that the majority of the voters in his electorate were non-Ratana.
If the seats were definitely removed, then this should be the last act in the name of integration. There were after all other "Maori" organisations which were also set up in the interest of the Maori people. What would the protaganists of integration do about "Maori" Affairs?, and what about the "Maori" Education Foundation? If the argument for their being continued was that they were a vital necessity, then he would use the same argument for separate Parliamentary representation.
With regard to the question as to whether the members were justifying their seats—he expounded the maxim "that a member was only as strong as the people behind him." In his opinion Maoris talked a lot but appeared to do little. Politically of course, the pakeha was better positioned because of organisations such as rate-payers association, Farmers Federation etc., although Maoris could join these groups the fact remained that they did not.
There was an occasion when he stated publicly that the Maori was very poor at letter writing. Ever since, he has been receiving a steady stream of letters from his constituents. "Perhaps", he concluded "a little occasional criticism of our people is not unwarranted."
He was concerned that of those who criticised the present Maori representatives, many had changed to the European roll. It may well be that Maori members had in years past not done as much as they could have but things are beginning to move now. Nearly 20,000 Maoris had changed to European electoral roll, because they were not satisfied with the "status quo." If this was true then their defection would only maintain the status quo, and showed too that they were only running away from the problem.
Perhaps in the near future the more (economically) advanced Maoris would be in a better position to view it.
He was not in favour of a separate Maori Battalion on the grounds that "We have enough problems without having to add a military one too." Apparently an argument advanced for it was that it would keep young Maoris out of trouble because of the discipline etc—"Well what's wrong with the present Army?" This seemed a poor excuse for it,—the only thing he could say in favour of it was the feeling of racial pride that would emerge.
"Besides" he argued, "the NZ Army in Malaya had a great reputation, partly because it was an integrated unit."
The severe criticism of these schools because of the "discriminatory" nature was unjustified.
A "Maori" school was termed such if it was administered by the Department of Education. This allowed them to employ "junior assistants." At the primary level, in order to overcome the teacher shortage. "Maori" schools only existed in rural areas with a dominant population of Maoris. All that had in effect happened when the word "Maori" was removed was that the administration was taken over by one of the Education Boards. The population of the schools was still dominantly Maori, "so where did the so-called discrimination come in the first place?"
The mixing of Maori and Pakeha in any school was a good idea—but if the population was say 90 per cent Maori as was the case in many North Auckland schools merely dropping the word Maori would not improve the situation. ("A rose by an other name . . . Rapid integration of schools was therefore only practicable in the urban areas. Although St. Stephen's Boarding School in Bombay (Auckland) was a "Maori" School approximately one-third of its roll was pakeha.
Referring to the creation of a separate "Maori" school in Pukekohe, he said that both sides were at fault here, and there had been genuine regret at the enforced separation which this had entailed.
At the conclusion of the meeting the one thing that had impressed me was the speaker's obvious sincerity. He does not speak English well but he does think well (a quality so rare amongst politicians these days).
Another unusual feature was the absence of party platform. There was no "Labour party this" and "Labour party that." The opinions were his own and he was not afraid to say what he thought.
Not since
Comment made by the Hon. Sir Eruera Tirihatene, KCMG, MP, JP, when asked his opinion of "Washday At The Pa."
" Delightful, rustic simplicity, untainted and unadulterated.
"What do I see In these pages of pictures and their simple story? A complete home unit, exhibiting the joyous spirit of togetherness and satisfaction with their home life. A good mother, loving, industrious and clean, obviously interested in seeing that her family is well fed. Children overbrimming with health, happiness and vitality—interestingly displaying initiative to fill every moment.
"I would not expect these humble children to become delinquent in adolescence. Indeed they show themselves as being susceptible to seeking education—they exhibit a healthy exploratory drive and purposefulness.
"The father and uncles are shown making their contribution to the country's economy, farming and shearing, and earning their families' daily bread.
"To my mind, these are positive values. And father has obviously saved some of his earnings towards a housing deposit. This is progressive.
"However, there must have been a sound reason behind the Maori Women's Welfare League's request that this book be withdrawn from use as a primary school bulletin. I understand that the Maori children shown in these pictures have been subjected to abuse from their pakeha counterparts. This must have been cruel and hurtful! The lesson is clearly one for the parents of such offensive children . . . But on behalf of those Maori children. I would say: " Kaua E Hohoro Ki Te Takahi, Kei Taka Ano Ko Koe, Ki Te He." (Translated: "Do not be too anxious to condemn, for you yourself may be found wanting.")
Training College students are not interested in joining NZUSA, but wanted to help form a comprehensive National Union of students, claims Stephen O'Regan.
In a special interview given to an NZSPA reporter after the Winter Council debate on the issue. Wellington Teachers College representative, O'Regan, advocated the formation of a National Union of Students on the British model. This could cover University students, Teachers College students, and students at Polytechnics. Pharmaceutical Schools and other institutions of tertiary education, said Mr. O'Regan. Groups such as nurses could perhaps have associate membership.
All students in these institutions had interests in common, Mr. O'Regan claimed, and should therefore seek to work together. At present, however, education in New Zealand was fragmented, he said, and the Government was able to play the various groups off against each other. Student unity could help put an end to this.
Asked whether a National Union of students would tend to be dominated by University students, O'Regan conceded that this might tend to be so at least at first. However, with a threeyear training course for teachers and the rapid expansion of student numbers in other tertiary institutions, the situation would arise where University students did not have it all their own way.
He who begins by loving Christianity better than truth will proceed by loving his own sect of Church better than Christianity, and end by loving himself better than all.
The form of the British National Union of students, suitably adapted for New Zealand conditions, was the pattern to be followed claimed O'Regan. It had been outstandingly successful and, for instance, had direct representation on six standing committees of the British House of Commons. However, the principle of a National Union of students was more important than the administrative details at this stage, said O'Regan. University and Training Colleges should not isolate themselves from other forms of tertiary education.
He spoke coolly, dramatically. "The shrivelled circle of magnetic fear," he said, and in the coffee-sipping semidarkness we listened, and the band got louder, tempo faster, tension higher, till with a climactic cymbal clash came resolution, and again the jazz was muted, and the reader spoke.
It was an Auckland art theatre, and it was the Arts Festival poetry and jazz session.
Attempts to mate poetry and jazz have been going on for a number of years now but so far without any significant success. The Auckland session did little to dispel the view that the coupling can only produce a worthless hybrid.
Various techniques were used. A vocal backing with chant-like intonations was used to create an air of remoteness with a poem by Walt Whitman, and an interesting effect was achieved at the end as it softened into a plaintive moan. With others, piano, bass, drums, saxophone, flute and also sax were used variously to create different effects—a mood of meditation, an air of strident assurance, a reflection of changes in tempo and perhaps repetitions of ideas in the poems.
The execution was fairly competent—though the reading and vocal backing could have been improved—but obstacles were inherent in the nature of the combination itself. In many cases, the natural rhythms of the conversational-style poetry conflicted with the more mechanical rhythms of the jazz backing. This could perhaps be overcome when music and poetry is specifically written for performance in combination, but it was only established poets—Whitman. Dylan Thomas. Tom Gunn—who were presented at Auckland.
A more serious and general criticism it seems to me is that good poetry requires intellectual alertness and concentration for its appreciation. While jazz relaxes the mind and transmits its warmth by sinking in through the senses. A mind attuned to jazz is certainly not in the critical poise that listening to poetry necessitates. So at Auckland we drank in the sound of the jazz band and the sound of reader's voice, but we could not concentrate on the poetry and at the end of a piece had only a vague idea of what it was all about In this respect, the experiment was a failure.
Recently, the Royal Society accepted an invitation from the Chinese authorities to send a small delegation on an exchange visit. The party of five that made the trip included a physiologist, a biologist, a physicist, a chemist, and a crystallographer.
The chemist of the group, Dr. Harold W. Thompson, recorded his impressions in the scientific monthly, International Science and Technology (New York,
"Broadly speaking," he begins, "we found a scientific community which still seems to be in the process of building a good foundation. These Chinese laboratories we saw are learning the use of modern methods by repeating known observations, rather than aspiring to much that is really new." Dr. Thompson emphasises, however, that among the youth of China there was always to be found "a marked keenness to learn."
"We made no inquiries about the Chinese programme in nuclear physics and nuclear energy." Dr. Thompson reports, "but it is likely that they have made considerable progress . . . perhaps with advice from the USSR."
He adds: "In this connection, I had the impression that exchange of scientists between Russia and China was a good deal less than previously. Inquiries about the whereabouts of individual scientists known to us earlier, suggested that they might be busy on important projects at special laboratories."
Dr. Thompson was told that there are 800,000 students at the university level in the whole of China. He was shown four universities which "presumably rank among the most advanced." three in Peking and one in Tientsin:
"It is risky to generalise, but my impression was that they were devoted almost entirely to teaching, with much emphasis on sociology and politics. As yet they seem to have little contact with scientific research or the frontiers of science."
Specifically, Dr. Thompson found Peking University "comprehensive, with 11,000 students and 2,000 teachers." There were said to be about 260 "graduate students," but "it was not very clear to me just what they were doing; perhaps they were junior members of the teaching staff." Here the equipment available for teaching physics "seemed good" to Dr. Thompson, "especially in electricity and optics." The laboratories for biology, however, were "oldfashioned, the main item being a museum of birds, animals, and reptiles."
The technological Tsing Hua University, Peking, is devoted to engineering (mechanical, civil, radio, electrical, and hydraulic):
"It has been reformed to a large extent on the basis of Russian advice. There are 11,000 students (which indeed seems to be regarded as a sort of norm) . . . saw a civil engineering and architectural department in which some designs by students for new buildings seemed very attractive. . . ."
The Agricultural University of Peking "is more like an agricultural college for the training of people who can go back to teach in the communes," Dr. Thompson says.
"The 3500 students, about a third of them women, are chosen by examination from all China, and many come from peasant stock. It seemed that the function of this university was to give a general training in agricultural matters, rather than to aspire to serious research. There was some work on genetics and animal breeding, but this appears not to have reached a more than elementary level."
At Tientsin, an industrial city and port, Nankai University was visited:
"The chancellor, an organic chemist trained in the United States, entertained us at lunch. Time at the university was very short . . . but the chancellor first read through an interpreter a lengthy prepared statement about the university. There are about 5000 students, a few 'postgraduates' and 800 teachers: it has been 'the mainspring of anti-American and anti-Chiang Kaishek movements.' We were hustled for a few minutes into the Physics and Chemistry departments, where there was some simple polarographic and spectroscopic equipment and apparatus for measuring absorption of gases on silica gel. There was really no signs of advanced research, and I also got the impression that as a teaching establishment it might not yet have reached a high level."
Dr. Thompson also visited research institutes of the Academia Sinica—two in Peking and three in Shanghai—and in general was more impressed with them than with the universities. He writes that the institutes "seem to be lively establishments in which many of the younger workers look very promising, although they are still feeling their way and have little contact with foreign scientists."
Interesting talks were given by Messrs. I. W. Wright and G. C. Wake, both mathematics honours students, at a recent mathematical and physical society meeting.
Mr. Wake gave the background to a recently published paper, Calorimetry of Oxidation, of which he was co-author.
The paper stemmed from the application of "high powered mathematics" to a chemical problem—that of finding the highest temperature in a body which is decaying or fermenting. This problem is relevant to spontaneous combustion in wool, hay or sawdust.
The problem was formulated mathematically in terms of differential equations and Mr. Wake described how he grappled with these to produce a result which satisfied the chemists.
The talk kept incomprehensible mathematics to a minimum and gave the audience a good insight into the development of applied mathematics in practice.
Mr. Wright gave an account of the aurora and of the basic processes involved. Briefly, he said that protons and electrons from the sun or the Van Allen belts enter the earth's atmosphere and transfer some of their energey to oxygen atoms. The atoms so excited lose this extra energy by emitting light of a specific colour—red or green for oxygen.
By mathematical interpretation of a few carefully selected experiments, Mr. Wright was able to build up our present picture of the phenomenon. As yet there is no complete picture but through this study valuable knowledge about the upper atmosphere has been gained which could lead to improved radio communications.
The lack of interest from younger students was of concern to several speakers at the annual meeting of the Mathematical and Physical Society. Only 20 members were present. Of these, 16 were honours students and four stage III students.
In an attempt to orientate activity towards younger students the meeting directed the incoming committee to investigate the formation of a junior section of the society (of particular interest to stage I and stage II students).
The new committee is headed by president Murray Boldt.
The committee was also requested to attempt to seek an address to the society by the Minister of Science. Mr. B. Talboys. or alternatively to all science societies at the university. It was asked that this be done before the end of the academic year.
Dr. Coote spoke to the meeting on aspects of atomic nuclei and solid state detectors.
He said that if a pinhead was expanded to the size of the earth, one of the atoms contained in it would be about 12 feet across and its nucleus only four thousandths of an inch in diameter. Solid state detectors were used for close investigation of the disintegration of nuclei and were a development of increasing importance.
Tune: The Admiral's song from HMS Pinafore. The song comes from the Melbourne University Labour Club's .
The new arts library block will be in operation at the opening of the 1965 academic year. The only hold-up in the building has been typical Wellington weather, but this caused no serious delay. Construction has gone ahead as planned.
The construction of the building is interesting in that the library arts block is the first large-scale prefabricated building to be built in New Zealand.
The building consists mainly of prestressed concrete beams, held together by strained wire. The lift wells, columns, and stairs are precast. Panels and partitions on the upper floors will slide into tongue and groove fittings.
This prefabrication was necessary because the small site allowed for little working space on the construction job. Also, the building has been planned to give maximum floor space, the distance between supporting columns being 53 feet.
A bridge-building technique was applied to the construction of the blocks. This required a great many mathematical calculations of stresses and strains.
The only alteration to the main plan is that the law reading room will not be placed in the new building but will occupy the present library.
The Interior floor coverings are to be of soft material except for the corridors, stairs and lift areas. The seating In the new library will vary from ordinary chairs to divans and armchairs. There will also be semi-enclosed corrals, containing shelves of specialised books, where students can study without distraction. The building will be artificially ventilated though not airconditioned.
The cost of the building will be around £800,000 and it is hoped that it will be formally opened during the May vacation,
"I feel that the S.C.M. is becoming cliquey—it's a nice little group of ex-Bible class members who are still good churchgoers—not the 50 per cent of atheists and agnostics which I would have expected,"—A speaker at the S.C.M.'s A.G.M.
Provision in the near future of postal facilities in the Student Union Building seems fairly likely. House Committee chairman Nick Bullock included this in his policy statement when standing for Executive, and he received support for his views when student submissions on SUB extensions came before Executive.
The limited postal facilities already available in the form of stamp-vending machines and a letter-box in the Student Union Building appear to be proving popular: but the main reason for pressure for full postal facilities is the evident need for a POSB.
Many students maintain accounts with the Post Office Savings Bank, but at present find these accounts make frequent trips into the city necessary. Students have had to choose between keeping large amounts of money on hand in cash and making timeconsuming trips to obtain cash.
Over the last few months the emergence of several political issues has given rise to the question: "Should Parliament sit for a longer period?"
This year the Opposition wanted the Prime Minister to recall Parliament early so that it could discuss important issues such as the increased sugar prices, the Dominion takeover bids and military aid to South-East Asia.
Some opposition MPs have complained that under the present set-up they may have to wait up to eight months before they get an opportunity to debate important issues in Parliament. The trend over the last decade has been for parliamentary sessions to open about June and end some time between October and December.
Unlike many other countries, the legislative body in Now Zealand sits only once each year. There have been minor exceptions; the sham parliaments which have been opened for about one day whenever a British monarch visited the country and the 10day session that was called by the last Labour Government, shortly after it was elected, to implement its £100 tax rebate. Except in time of national crisis there should be no need for more than one session in a year.
It has been argued that there is no need for Parliament to have longer sessions because odd committees continue to sit throughout the year and this is where Parliament really does its Job.
The traditional role of Parliament, in which debate influences legislation, has diminished in recent decades with the strengthening of two-party government in New Zealand. Now whenever the Government introduces legislation in Parliament one can usually assume that it will be passed into law since the Government commands a majority of votes.
Parliament is really a public opinion-forming body. Since proceedings are broadcast over the national radio network and have an extensive press coverage, MPs tend to use it as a public platform—not so much to influence legislation as to influence voters. They concern themselves more with explaining to the nation the merits and defects of legislation, and with discussing Government action (or inaction)
Much of the real work is done in select committees. These are usually closed to the public and as MPs have no public audience to address they are able to get down to the serious business of scrutinizing legislation.
In most cases political differences are waived, unless the legislation is of a particularly controversial nature. Members are usually less dogmatic and more willing to compromise in order to produce a good piece of legislation. It should be remembered that generally it is only the controversial differences (mainly differences of principle) that are aired at any great length in Parliament. A lot of differences of opinion on legislation are ironed out in committees.
Parliament should not have to sit any longer than it now finds necessary, but its sessions should be spread over a much longer period.
It would be better if sessions began about March and closed about November. This period of approximately eight months could be broken by three recesses, each of about two or three weeks duration. This would bring the session's length closer to five months, the average length of a present session.
If Parliament sat from March to November. MPs would still have a long recess in the summer to deal with important constituency matters—big Jobs that they can't give their full attention to when Parliament is sitting.
The idea of spreading sessions over a longer period has three main advantages:
Angola today is being run as a slave colony by the Portuguese the Angolan delegates to the International Student Conference said. In a special interview Jorge Valentim and Paul Touba told the NZUSA press delegate that the rights of the mass of the Angolan people were being suppressed. Angolans had to do forced labour within the country, while thousands were being sold into virtual slavery in the South African mines.
Officially they were contract workers but in fact the Portuguese authorities arrested many Angolans to make up the quota, and cheated them of their wages on return to Angola, since the wages were paid by the South Africans directly to the Portuguese Authorities. Angolan students were systematically denied access to higher education, and had to escape out of the country to attend universities. If they returned to Angola they faced imprisonment by the authorities.
The Portuguese claimed in international circles to have instituted reforms in Angola, but this was only a facade, said Mr. Touba. The basic situation remained one in which the mass of Angolans were being kept backward.
However, the Portuguese had done one thing which was helping Angolan national spirit, although the Portuguese did not realise it. This was the mingling together of the various indigenous groups in Angola because of the forced labour system. Out of this a national sense of unity was developing in opposition to the present regime.
The current revolt against Portuguese domination was led by the National Liberation Front of Angola, led by Holden Roberto. A provisional government had been organised, already recognised by 18 nations. The Angolans, operating from bases in the Congo, were determined to continue waging a struggle until the Portuguese conceded independence. At the moment the Portuguese refused to contemplate this, and even Portuguese liberals seemed more interested in using the Angola issue as a means for gaining power for themselves rather than seeking genuine independence for Angola.
Mr. Valentim said that the Angola delegates, together with the delegation expected to arrive from Mozambique, were after moral and material support for their cause. A resolution of solidarity was hoped for from the conference, and practical support for the Angolan cause. Mr. Valentim said that practical aid could take two main forms; assisting Angolan students to study outside Angola and putting pressure on various governments to cease aiding Portugal ulti mately with a view to imposing an economic blockade on Portugal if it still continued to prevent Angolan independence. NATO arms were being used against the Angolan people, claimed Mr. Valentim.
At present there were about 180 Angolan students studying outside Angola, mainly in Europe and the USA. said Mr. Touba, and these would be able to be used as the nucleus of technical and administrative cadres for an independent Angola. Efforts were also being made to educate refugee Angolans in schools set up in the Congo and Northern Rhodesia.
The ultimate aim of the National liberation Front in which students were intimately involved was the creation of an independent Angola in which the people would be given power to decide their own government, Messrs Valentim and Touba said. The movement also supported the Pan-African ideal and would support efforts to establish African governments in the countries to the South.
After a very shaky period two years ago the finances of the co-ordinating secretariat of the International Student Conference (Cosec) are now on a solid footing.
In a special interview, Gwyn Morgan the Associate Secretary for Finance and Martin Diamond, the Cosec Accountant, said that Cosec funds now came from a variety of sources. Contributions from National Unions were still a very large item, 120,000 Dutch Florins (about £12,000) in
However, some of the less well off unions were exempted from part of their contribution by the supervision committee. Outside donations came mainly from foundations and industrial donors, but also from international agencies, private donors and a variety of other sources.
An important difference between the types of finance was that the donations from foundations were for specified purposes whereas the contributions from National Unions were used to pay for other ISC projects for which foundation funds were not available. Unions which had not paid their contributions did not get travel grants and had outstanding debts deducted from any payments made to them.
Asked whether the use of foundation funds could lead to outside control of the ISC, Gwyn Morgan said no. The tenth International Student Conference had resolved that outside funds could only be accepted if they did not comprise in any way the policies and resolutions of the conference. While the outside donors usually specified that their donations could only be used for certain purposes, the variety of sources of funds meant that if one donor refused funds for a particular project it was often possible to obtain funds for the same project from another source.
The organisation of the Physics I second term exam just before the holidays caused some discontent among those who sat it. About half the class had an additional few minutes to complete the paper, as there was an initial shortage of papers.
Five minutes after the starting time of the exam, rooms C3 and E511 heard the muted strains of sweet renderings of that fine old song "Why are we waiting?" Ten minutes after the starting time the supervisors hurried in, to be greeted with loud catcalls and cheers.
The uproar increased when it was discovered that the supervisors did not have enough question papers for their respective rooms.
After much rushing round, more papers were procured, and the exam proceeded quietly.
It seems that the secretary of the physics department had gone out for lunch, taking the only key to the filing cabinet containing the papers. Strong men from the department brutally attacked the defenceless cabinet and had it open by the time she was located.
Unfortunately for the embarrassed supervisors, only one drawerful of papers was taken and another drawer holding the remainder was forgotten in the confusion.
So some students felt hard done by because others had seen the paper five minutes earlier, although they had not had much chance to write anything in that time; others felt hard done by because the late start meant 10 minutes less in the local hostelries that afternoon; and the supervisors . . .
Man is in Imminent Danger of losing control of his own destiny. For the man who is even half-aware of the colossal predicament caused by the bomb, the most depressing and enervating thing is the apparently complete ineffectuality of the individual.
Just what can the individual do? What can New Zealanders do about the French nuclear tests in the South Pacific?
Supposing that people could induce their elected representatives to take action, what effective actions could they take? Protests? Economic sanctions? Even breaking off diplomatic relations?
All these formalities have been played out before. They are tried and rusted. These "normal channels" are a time-honoured means of channelling off popular resentment. The individual should act, but the apparent ineffectuality of these means disheartens people and they give in to an unhappy apathy. Behind this hopelessness the small nations, and the individual citizens of all nations, harbour a dull but deep resentment towards those who have unwittingly blundered humanity into this terrible predicament.
The resentment of small nations, and of most of us as individuals, is often useless, because we are disunited, dispersed and dissonant. Something is needed to crystallise our opinion that is half-formed and unheard, so that all may stand at once and shout that they have had enough, and that mankind matters.
It has been suggested that if New Zealand threatened to declare war on any nation testing nuclear weapons in the Pacific a situation would be created that would be so astounding and extraordinary that it could achieve just this effect. Extreme as it seems at first, this suggestion does contain the kind of thing people are looking for.
The French tests concern us most at the moment because: They are next on the list; they are in the South Pacific; they are with "unclean" and unsafe bombs; there is the proximity of other Pacific peoples to consider; an indigenous population is being uprooted and its culture destroyed.
It is no argument at all to say we cannot act now because we did not when other nations held nuclear tests. We must wake up some time.
Now what would happen if the New Zealand Government sent naval ships into the test area as a passive protest; a Trafalgar Square sit-down where it matters?
What could the French possibly do? If a Government is involved, the action cannot be dismissed as the work of a few eccentrics (the stock dismissal). What conceivable means could be pursued to remove these ships, and how could they be carried out against an organised quarry determined to foil them? Any such means would have to be an act of aggression and war by France herself.
If this original action of sending ships failed to catch the imagination and support of the world, any such act of piracy by the French certainly would. The ships need not even be in territorial waters, and would not behave aggressively, but peacefully.
The French would be very eager to avoid a situation. We should strive to bring things to a head and so make the issues absolutely clear before it is too late.
Prior to the sending of the ships, a declaration of New Zealand's reasons and aims should be sent to the United Nations and the Governments and Press of all countries. Everybody must know what is happening, and know that each development and every threat or pressure will be made public. Nothing must be hushed up. The issues must be kept unclouded.
For two years the French nuclear tests in the Sahara have been one of the burning issues all over independent Africa. What have we heard about it?
Finally, it was only when action was taken by the new Algerian Government that the French decided not to test their bomb in the Sahara.
The Government should also demand that the South Pacific be a nuclear-free zone; but ultimately we want to create a situation that will lead to the end of all nuclear tests, and to disarmament. The idea could well catch the imagination of the New Zealander, who is very conscious of his own ineffectuality and his country's smallness and isolation. It would have the French, and anybody else, in a dilemma that would create a new situation and therefore force the opportunity for a new answer.
This is what we all want, and what we should struggle for.
It doesn't matter a damn to South Africa whether we buy her goods or not. That's why we in New Zealand can forget the problem of who gets hit most by a boycott and take a hard look at the principles involved.
It is a matter of principle. South Africa is the only country in the world which promotes racism as a conscious policy. To ignore this and continue dealing with South Africa as if it was just like any other country is, implicitly, to condone the system and the suffering which it causes. To go further than this, to profit from exploitation and oppression—and this is what trading with South Africa rather than other countries involves—is grossly immoral. It is to become an accessory to the crime, as culpable as buying stolen goods knowing they were stolen, or living on the earnings of prostitution.
Because it is a matter of principle we cannot plead economic expediency as justification for maintaining our trade relations. On the contrary, the greater our profit, the deeper our guilt.
We cannot trade with South Africa without compromising our integrity. That is why we, both individually and as a nation, must boycott South African goods.
The VUWSA executive finally decided after protracted discussion during three meetings to fly the ten Council delegates to Auckland. These delegates were to attend the four councils of NZUSA, NZUSU, NZAFC, NZSPA.
At the last executive meeting, John Perham. Sport's Committee Secretary, who has several years experience of student politics behind him persuaded the executive to reverse their previous decision. Previously, the ten delegates only had second class rail far's to Auckland for the Winter councils which started the following Saturday.
Perham said that the Sport's committ:e had expressed some dismay at the second class rail fares. He pointed out to the executive that their delegates would be in conference at Auckland all day Saturday, all day Sunday and most of Sunday night.
He declared that this was a most gruelling test to go through.
"As has been shown in the past the agendas get larger and larger and hence it becomes more and mors important that delegates are au fait with what is going on. They need to be clearheaded and clear-sighted at their m etings."
He suggested that it was impossible for the delegates In give any sort of justification whatsoever to the organisation that they are representing. He said that they were wasted unless they were mentally alert and they were wasting their own time and that of the other students' association delegates.
He told them their remarks from previous meetings were vague and fairly misleading. He said that the only conclusion that could be made regarding the Executive's previous decision was that they were not in complete possession of the facts.
In the face of this onslaught of rhetoric the Executive wilted, and gave the delegates which included some of their own members the required air fares.
Subsequently, at tournament, one delegate indicated his disgust to Salient that flown delegates had been at parties till 4am on Saturday morning.
Even with the air fares, two VUW delegates arrived at council an hour late!
• The following degree changes have been announced by council:
There is to be a new stage I unit in philosophy, History of Philosophy.
Three new specialist units, French III (additional) German (additional) and Russian III (additional) are to be introduced.
A new B.A. unit, General Geology, is also to be introduced.
The number of papers in pure mathematics III is reduced to two. Statistical Mathematics III is to be renamed and a further change is to be provided in that subject.
• The university council has turned down a request to waive the foreign language reading knowledge requirement in the case of science students who have received a specific mark in School Certificate French or German.
The request was made by the New Zealand Post-Primary Teachers' Association. The P.P.T.A. alternatively requested that sixth form pupils be eligible to attempt the reading knowledge exams before entering the university.
The science faculty considered the requested changes to be unsatisfactory and some members of the council felt that School Certificate was an unsatisfactory qualification.
• Professor S. N. Slater retired as dean of the faculty of Science at the end of last term and is now assistant vice-chancellor. The new dean is Professor R. H. Clark.
From a literary point of view Arts Festival was far from stimulating.
The first session, at which papers ostensibly on New Zealand literature was presented, never got beyond a state of fluent irrelevance. There were four papers: An undistinguished restatement of romantic critical technique (poetry emanates from the "dark psychic material" of the soul); a discursion into communications engineering entitled "Redundacy in Language"; a treatment of Janet Frame, which was lost on the group, most of whom had apparently never read her novels; and an outpouring from an American about New Zealand student poetry.
The chief feature of the discussion was the practical absence of critical ability; some vigorous rubbishing from Victoria's David Flude went unchallenged, and generally contributions were egotistic and irrelevant.
The panel discussion at which Dr. J. C. Reid, Charles Doyle. Ron Tamplin, Dr. C. K. Stead and K. Smithyman spoke on New Zealand literature revealed a similar lack of critical technique: Smithyman, for example, said: "I like Challis simply because he's interesting," and Stead maintained "Baxter is a real poet, an exciting poet in the way that neither Bland nor Challis are—he is sometimes a good poet, sometimes bad, but always interesting." Doyle's criteria were slightly different: "I like poetry for its honesty and clarity," he said.
The panel agreed that poetry in New Zealand was at present in a ferment, without distinctive characteristics, but was divided as to whether anything new, original or important was likely to spring out of this.
Another session at which university literary magazines were discussed seldom got further than superficial comments or futile arguments as to whether writing in foreign languages should be included.
A Martin Dawson survey made at the opening of the Vietnam Crisis.
Student Opinion was wide-ranging on the question of participation in the Vietnamese War, and it was difficult to indicate a dominant trend. Many of the views, however, were typical of a particular school of thought.
As One Student put it, the "Chinese had nothing to lose in Vietnam, and the fulfilment of Lenin's policy to gain." It was felt here that it would be preferable to stop the Chinese menace before it achieved nuclear status and altered the balance of power. "The farther from New Zealand's shores the peril is brought to a halt, the better." was another, similar view.
A Fairly large number of students would accept conscription but would not go otherwise, for a variety of reasons. Some confessed to an inborn cowardice, many felt that "it's none of our business. It's the Americans' affair, and they should sort it out themselves."
This attitude was criticised by others as "insular." "Anything to do with South-East Asia is New Zealand's concern," they said.
A surprising proportion of the "yes" students were prepared to go "for the hell of it." or would "do anything to get out of this place." Many were motivated by the desire for adventure, or to avoid the prospect of a life lacking a basic conflict.
A strong body of opinion was against resistance to Chinese aggression until New Zealand herself was actually set upon. It was thought that any resistance before this point was reached could start a thermonuclear exchange, and that it was clearly and unequivocally not worth the risk of total destruction.
Another student felt that we had an obligation to America because she "saved New Zealand during the last war." The same student considered that the country was too vulnerable to be defended unless well in advance. This view was qualified thus: "I would only go if my participation in the war would help prevent a Communist advance to Australasia."
One student said, "I would not be forced into Vietnam." Asked why not, he replied. "Why?" The opinion was held by another that USA interference infringed the interests of international justice.
Asked to comment on these opinions, a veteran of the last war said. "They'll all be going when war is declared because all the decent guys will go, irrespective of any soul-searching they may have indulged beforehand, and they wouldn't like to stay home with what's left."
Victoria is still committed to holding Arts Festival
A compromise agreement reached after a late night session of NZUSA council allows Otago to take over Arts Festival if the OUSA Executive agrees.
Victoria President Tom Robins claimed that his University would be unable to find billets for all if the joint Tournament-Arts Festival was held as planned. He said that Wellington had special accommodation problems and that its Students' Association lacked the experienced administrators to run such a large-scale undertaking. Victoria thus wanted Tournament and Arts Festival split.
Victoria's stand was supported by Sports Union President. Gordon Hewitt, who said that Victoria's
Auckland's Tournament Controller, Doug Arcus, also supported the separation of Arts Festival and the Sports Tournament, asserting that the administrative load had grown too much for one man or one committee to handle.
Otago President David More refused to accept the claim that Victoria had a special billeting problem. The Hutt Valley alone had more people than Dunedin, said More, and suggested that the rest of the country should not suffer from Victoria's internal problems.
Upon Robins re-asserting the claim the Otago President moved the resolution, " That NZUSA strongly recommend to VUWSA that it takes immediate steps to improve relationships between VUWSA and the Wellington community."
Despite strenuous protests from the Victoria delegation, the motion was passed 6-4. This brought Victoria delegate Alister Taylor to his feet. In an angry outburst, he suggested that Victoria should tell Auckland how to run its libel suits, and then moved "That NZUSA investigate the private lives of the Otago delegates, and report its findings back to Easter Council." Otago promptly seconded the motion, claiming that its members' lives were above reproach. However, the motion was not passed.
Later in the evening, tempers appeared to cool down and the Victoria and Otago delegations reached the compromise agreement referred to previously. Council then rescinded the motion which had called on Victoria to improve its public relations.
Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom. It is the argument of tyrants; it is the creed of slaves.
In an attempt to point out to sixth-form students the dangers in accepting bonded bursaries, NZUSA has issued an attractive four-page pamphlet ("Beware of the Bond").
The pamphlet briefly presents a point by point statement on the obligations of studentships, their financial value, and on other ways in which a university education may be financed.
"As a prospective university student." the pamphlet states, "you will find a studentship financially irresistible. At this stage of your career, teaching Is one of the few professions you know much about, and the alternative to a studentship is a Fees and Allowance Bursary at less than half the monetary value. We believe, however, that there are compelling reasons why you should be wary of accepting a studentship."
The pamphlet then emphasises that a student leaving secondary school is in a poor position to choose his vocation in life before he has commenced on a university education, and proceeds to consider the Parry Report recommendations on the abolition of bonded bursaries.
Itemising the repayments required if a bursary is forfeited, and the emancipating effect which university life has on student interests, the pamphlet emphasises that with increases in fees and allowance bursaries the extra money required to be found by students is not too great for it to be earned during the long vacation.
"With personal sacrifice in the long vacations you can remain free to choose a career of your choice," the pamphlet emphasises, and warns against being misled by suggestions of teaching jobs available at the student's old school. It also suggests that students may find Training College an anti-climax, or even a stultifying influence, after the free atmosphere of university.
The effect of the pamphlet, which expresses views long held by students but previously little publicised will be interesting. It should appeal to most secondary school students, who may well finally do what the pamphlet does not in fact suggest—spend one year at university on fees and allowance bursary before deciding whether or not to accept a bonded bursary.
Craccum. one of Auckland's two student newspapers, has possibly another libel case on its hands.
It has just escaped from one pressed by a firm of architects following the publication of an article in Craccum by former lecturer in the history of art, Mr. Kurt von Meier, on the quality of the Elam School of Fine Arts.
The new case arises from an article in which aspersions are cast on two pop singers in an article, "Sexual Psychopathology in the modern Pop song," written by students Bruce Babbington' and Rosalind Hurst house.
An apology has been published in Craccum noting that any misrepresentation ' was unintentional.
No writ had been served as at the first week of the holidays.
The New Zealand University Students' Association has adopted the Charter of the 11th International Student Conference.
By a unanimous resolution the delegate to Winter Council at Auckland formally ratified the actions of the New Zealand delegation in acceding to the charter.
The charter sets forward the ideals and objectives of a Free University in a Free Society, and denounces concepts such as colonialism, neo colonialism, and militarism. It also calls for more social responsibility and social action by students.
Speaking on the charter. New Zealand delegate. Bill Falconer. NZUSA External Vice-President, said that New Zealand students should not forget how real the issues in the charter were to studants in other lands where basic freedoms such as those enjoyed in New Zealand did not exist.
Looking at the list of "isms" denounced, New Zealand students might feel like saying "you name it, we're against it," but this was the wrong way to look at it, he said.
One idea of the charter, Falconer continued, was to set up a standard against which ISC members could be measured. A requirement of full membership would be adherence to the ideals of the charter.
The recent panel discussion on censorship was notable for the contrast it provided between the clarity of the ideas of the various members.
It quickly became apparent that Dennis Glover was the humourist of the panel, who looked at the subject from its ridiculous side. Being opposed to any form of censorship, he made his point by comparing underwear adverts with photos of models in the latest topless. The undie adverts, however erotic, are always decent, while the topless is indecent to many. He thought that the stock market reports were even more indecent. Life was one gross indecency.
By contrast, Crown prosecutor W. R. Birks had little to say that had not been said ad nauseam in the House of Representatives, during last year's Indecent Publication's Act debate. He talked of adversely affecting the young mind, of leading people to commit acts of sexual violence.
Roy Parsons. Wellington bookseller, had a fresh, and in my opinion very valid approach. His argument that we were obsessed with the sexual matters, while the gross indecencies, the way men treated each other (here he referred to Nazi concentration camps) went unnoticed. Until we could take this indecency on, and decide what we should do about it, we were getting our ideas out of perspective by concentrating on sex.
Rev. Dr. Ian Fraser defended the bible from the attacks of Dennis Glover, who claimed that the old testament was grossly indecent. He also had to answer criticisms that the churches had no right to set the moral standards of the community.
I have left till last the comments of W. J. Scott. Principal of the Wellington Teachers College, and Chairman of the socalled New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties. Mr. Scott opened the evening by giving a general discussion of the topic and its implications, describing how difficult it was to know what was indecent, stating that there was no evidence that literature had ever corrupted anyone, and then, with supreme illogic, emphasising that he still thought censorship to be a good idea. Mr. Scott's views have been reported in Salient at least once before, prior to the Indecent Publications Act, when he said, as he did last night, that censorship was necessary to prevent people exploiting sexual desires in order to make money.
Mr. Scott's organisation, the NZCCL. seems to be nothing more than a resting place for confused ideas about censorship. Their life's work seems to be the present Act (which they made recommendations towards, and which Mr. Scott once told me had been largely accepted) and getting Lolita into the country. They have not protested against the abuses of the present Act practised by the Customs department—in fact, Mr. Scott has written to the Evening Post defending the present situation. It is difficult, to see what claim they have to be a civil liberties organisation—by any comparison with the highly active American Civil Liberties Union or the UK National Council for Civil Liberties, they are a dead loss. There is a lot of truth in the quip that the Constitutional Society has done more for liberty in NZ than the Civil Liberties Union.
Mr. Scott said at the panel discussion, that the
To give Mr. Scott his due, we must remember that the Act had never been tested in the Courts, and was not until
When I finally get around to writing my book "The Decline of Liberty in New Zealand," you can be sure that the New Zealand Council for Civil Liberties will figure prominently in it.
Not content with banishing the figure with the "sack," fashion designers and their female flocks have gone to the other extreme and revealed the lot. However, this is a change I welcome, but not for the reasons you think.
Ain't no pervert in me matey. I don't get a great drooling thrill out of bare nipples bracing themselves against the breeze. No! Quite the reverse. It leaves me quite cold sexually. And being a healthy young man in the most puritan of western societies this is a relief.
Up till now the sight of a firm and partly-revealed bust does all the adverts hint it'll do to me, and so countless energy, time and money is expended on the chase, so profitable to our economic system, but not so profitable to me there being the usual sadness afterwards and all that.
Now that there is a possibility of the sheep shearing themselves, I will at last have comparative peace for all the suggestion, all the mystery, all that exciting, charming, essential femininity is to be revealed. My imagination will go to sleep and all those little stimulations will grind to a standstill (as will most of our society). You disagree? You think that they will be as exciting charming, and sexually stimulating as ever, even more so?
It's as simple as this. The naked female body is not sexually stimulating to the male! But little suggestions, low necklines, slits up the sides of dresses to reveal a bit of thigh—all these set the old glands going. I realize of course that various virgins or those who make love with the light out will disagree, but that's their problem. All I can do is to point to a nudist camp. All those bare female bodies and not one male reacting physically.
Yes. Without a doubt by exposing the breast, females are committing mass suicide. This might add weight to the hypothesis that was being aired at the time of the "sack" (that dress designers are homosexuals who secretly hate women and want to destroy their attractiveness to men). It will also eliminate one category from the eternal question of "who do women dress for? Other women, themselves, or men?"
It is interesting to note that this regression to the primitive had its origin in America. Oscar Wilde's famous description of that land of promises (the only country to pass from barbarism to decadence without the intervention of civilisation) would therefore seem to be still relevant today.
So, women of the western world (particularly those in this little bourgeois backwater of it)—disrobe and you destroy! Bare your breasts and there will be a lot of males boozing on, oblivious to your existence (after the initial shock of course). I certainly will be peacefully pursuing other pastures at last free from the punch of my gonads. Hopefully I await the summer. Exited: Left to start writing "The Decline and Fall of the Western World").
Radio Club member. Michael Burch, outlined his club's offer to the Students' Association to provide an intercom and sound system for the Memorial Theatre and the Second floor when he spoke at the last Executive meeting in July.
A preliminary estimate of £100. based on current retail prices, was put forward by the club. Executive noted that a rental charge of £2/10/- per night was at present made for a hired sound system for the Memorial Theatre and called for a report on all aspects of the matter by August 12.
An Exhibition displaying some of the many works by Toss Woollaston was held at the Centre Gallery recently.
Toss Woollaston was born in
A great deal can be said of his paintings and the exhibition shows his versatility in the field of fine art. There are 83 works in the exhibition ranging from his earlier works of
Of his subjects much variance is apparent. He has painted landscapes, figures and portraits and even made his own impressions after great European painters such as Corot, Poussin, Bellini and others. "Rodney G" has been a great source of inspiration and the four paintings of this subject rank amongst the better works.
Although painted in
Woolleston's work is largely expressionism—a movement started around the turn of the century by French and German painters in search for expressiveness of style by means of exaggerations and distortions of line and colour in order to create a more emotional impact. He has developed in this mode of artistic expression a monumental sophisticated simplicity which remains individual and distinct from the mainstream of New Zealand Art.
Delegates to the 11th ISC expressed strong disapproval of social injustice by Australia to her Aborigines. They noted that the Australian Government has seriously neglected the social, political and economic welfare of the original inhabitants of the country. This neglect, they say, receives sanction from certain provisions of the Commonwealth's Constitution.
A demand for an immediate end to these unnecessary and intolerable injustices was made, and a call made for the repeal of the relevant provisions of the Constitution. Complete solidarity with the National Union of Australian Students over this issue was also expressed.
An article by M. R. Dickson, former editor of Otago Student Paper Critic, now studying at the Australian National University.
Australia has recently fallen into disrepute over her handling of the "Aboriginal Problem." The problem, which involves the social and economic advancement of people having a vastly different, and by our standards, impoverished culture, with the attempts being made to solve it, is worthy of attention.
When the first party of European settlers sailed into Botany Bay in 1788 there were 300,000 Aborigines. As a people, they were nomadic hunters with very few material possessions. They had a stone age culture; one which was greatly concerned with a magic ritual.
There were clashes over possession of the land. The natives accepted the crops and animals of the settlers as his for the taking, as he had always accepted produce of the land.
Pacification by force became the recognised policy for discouraging pilfering of this kind, often by Indiscriminate shooting.
The Aborigines lacked the Maoris' genius in battle, and despite the murder of the odd station hand the settlers took over native foraging grounds without treaty or recompense.
European diseases such as measles, smallpox, gonorrhoea and tuberculosis caused the deaths of thousands, as their only medication was incantation.
Under such severe competition, the numbers dwindled to the present day total of some 80,000.
Although greatly reduced in strength, the race Is not dying out, as once thought. The Aboriginal cannot be ignored on the grounds that he will just go away. What should be done about him?
It would be possible to leave him alone, as a unique anthropological curiosity.
Colonel L. Rose, chairman of the Social Welfare Select Committee of the Northern Territory Legislative Council, spoke thus in introducing reformative legislation.
"Aborigines are a unique people, and this legislation aims to destroy all this and make them one with us. I would love to see them left alone for decades—for ever—but I am forced to agree with this bill."
Ideas such as this are often found in the general European population. Many still imagine that all that remains to be done for the aboriginal is to "smooth his dying pillow" as the race nears extinction.
Others consider that a biological inferiority exists which will limit the advancement of the Aborigines. Both ideas are wrong.
The alternative, adopted by the Commonwealth Government as the only acceptable solution, is to bring their standard of living up to ours and give them equality before law.
There is an enormous gap to be bridged.
The Aboriginal way of life involved little property, no money and no permanent house. They were free and nomadic.
Today there is still a reluctance among some to accept our way of life as better than theirs. Recently an Aboriginal told an interviewer that although he could get good regular employment, he still liked to feel free to go into the bush when he wished.
This tendency has been regarded as indicating inability to take the responsibility of a steady job.
In addition, there is some distrust of the European—welldeserved, on his past record. This serves to bind Aborigines together, to strengthen racial loyalties and make them resist imposed changes.
Although some may be too distrustful or too little advanced to accept the idea of equality, there are others, particularly in the cities, who resent the differences that exist.
Equal pay is the most important of the equalities to these people. It means more material benefits, more incentive for education, and the means to obtain it.
The states which make up the Commonwealth have implemented the Federal government's policy at different rates, so that some have a more "enlightened" attitude than others.
Early legislators established statutes which shielded Aborigines from most social responsibilities. These statutes, regarded as necessary to prevent aboriginal irresponsibility with alcohol and money on their first contact, must be removed as a first step in Aboriginal emancipation.
Another institution which is most important is the settlement system. The settlements run by church missions or the government are intended to be clearing houses for nomads, who after staving some while and being trained in some trade and taught social skills, can leave to take a responsible place in the community.
Too often these have turned into centres for repression of responsibility. They are also an ideal method for keeping Aborigines under the thumb of restrictive legislation.
Queensland is the least progressive state. The native is treated as an irresponsible child, neglecting all his potential for economic and social advancement.
A Queensland Aboriginal may not:—
Choose his employer;Keep his own earnings—these are banked for him, and he has no free access to the account;Move out of a prescribed area without permission;Marry without permission;Obtain liquor;Vote in state elections (he may vote in Federal elections).
In addition, the state becomes the guardian of his children; mail into and out of settlements may be censored; he pays two types of tax—normal income tax as well as five to 10 per cent of his gross income, which is paid into a common welfare fund.
Entry to a native settlement is restricted. Even a member of the Federal Parliament must have official sanction for a visit. The maximum penalty for illegal entry is a fine of £50 or six months.
In court an aboriginal may only be represented by his "protector," usually the settlement superintendent or the local policeman, the very people he would be likely to wish to take action against.
In New South Wales restrictive legislation has been removed. Aborigines are paid award wages, their welfare board has native representatives on it, they vote in State and Federal elections, and where people are poor and have no wish to go to the cities they are encouraged to start their own co-operatives.
The Northern Territory has just had its legislation amended to grant Aborigines there similar freedoms.
Further positive policies adopted by the Federal Government in 1963 include extension of settlement schemes with good health schemes and welfare services to encourage nomadic natives to take advantage of them, vocational training and education to be made generally available to the highest level possible, improvement in housing schemes and welfare work to assist Aborigines settling into town, and further research into special welfare problems.
These are all Federal policies, and until assimilation becomes a matter under Federal control, the states may act on them or not as their consciences allow.
Fortunately the states appear willing to shed their responsibilities. Aboriginal welfare is expensive and those States with the lowest populations have the highest proportion of Aborigines, so that the burden is unevenly distributed.
The Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines is petitioning for the appropriate amendments to the constitution making welfare the business of the Commonwealth Government, and seems to be getting widespread support.
This is the theory underlying assimilation. How is assimilation proceeding in practice?
In the first place, the chance of complete intermingling of the two populations is much less than it is in New Zealand.
The Aborigines have a long way to go before they are, as a whole, on an economic par with the Europeans. There are only four Aborigines at University, for example.
The task of bringing the whole population to a state of educational, social, legal and economic equality is tremendous, especially if it is borne in mind that some groups exist that have seldom seen a European, and these must be brought from the Stone Age into the Atomic Age.
If blame must be apportioned for the neglect of the Aborigines, most of it belongs to previous generations, who delayed the start of such a large work for so long, and less to those who are working on it today.
In earlier days, casual charity in the form of outback station handouts and determined charity born of zeal for religious conversion, did much to remove Aboriginal self respect.
One culture has been destroyed, and only very inadequately replaced by another.
The missions are trying, in their own way to substitute Christianity for the age old traditions of magic and ritual which have their origins in times far earlier than the birth of Christ. Judging from interviews I have heard with converts, they are succeeding in turning out a rather confused parrot, rather than a reborn man.
Even if Aborigines greatly desire to be exactly like us (as if there were no better ambition) the process of replacing their values with ours will be a lengthy one.
Although there has been much general apathy or well meaning ignorance, although procrastination has magnified the task, and although the European population itself requires much teaching before it understands the situation properly, both races are learning to live together.
Who is the key man in the Cook Islands, the politician who will lead the Islands into self-government next year? There is now little doubt that the man is Albert Henry, leader of the only political party in the Islands and until last March an expatriate In New Zealand. A Salient interviewer spoke to him during his recent visit to Wellington.
Asked to explain how he became involved in Cook Islands politics, he said that there had been considerable misunderstanding and ignorance about the new Constitution, due to come into effect after the April elections in
HIS Cook Islands' Party had a membership of 2300 in Raratonga alone when he left, and it could well be 3000 by now, he said. "I would say it had the support of at least 75 per cent of the population."
There is a snag. Under a
As leader of a Cook IslandsNew Zealand Society deputation to the New Zealand Parliament Select Committee on Island Territories. Which was to consider the draft Constitution, he would be petitioning for the removal of the clause. In Raratonga at present, he said, a petition with 2000 signatures was being presented to the Assembly asking for the repeal of the three-year regulation. Should these fail. Henry indicated, his party had a stooge standing by who would fill in for him until the party had removed the clause from the draft Constitution after the April elections. The stooge would then resign, forcing a by-election at which Henry would be eligible to stand.
He agreed with the view that the Cook Islanders as a whole were not ready for self-government. But he pointed out that the new Constitution had generated tremendous enthusiasm and that many good people who had previously not offered their services were now coming forward.
What place would arikis have in the government if his party came to power? "The place of the ariki is in his tribe, on his marae." said Henry. "We do not approve of arikis being in parliament purely through their position. If they want to stand, that is all right; but no arikis will stand because that would mean climbing down."
As Albert Henry saw it the most pressing problem facing the Islands was that of land tenure. Economic development was being held up because of interminable legal squabbles over the land titles. The policy of his party was to reconstruct Polynesian society within the settlement or tribe in an effort gradually to straighten out land ownership problems. Mangaia, he said, was the only island that had maintained the traditional structure of society, and it had never had land trouble. At present a big pineapple planting scheme was being carried out there, without the bickering over titles and claims which marked other attempts at agricultural development.
It was a policy of putting the ariki back on his marae, of reestablishing the traditional structure of society and communal property holdings in an effort to bring order back to the tribe and settlement and to make economic development possible. It was something, said Henry, that legal-minded people would not understand. "The present system is making the Islander an individualist," he said: "because of that, they are poor."
Other policy points he mentioned were:
Planning—"Economic and agricultural development must be based on good planning—and it has not been like that in the past. Planning must go side by side with a solution to the land tenure problem."
Marketing—"I am not against enterprises, I am not against trade, but I am against monopolising trade as at present."
Entry restrictions—"Our party is opposed to restrictions on entry for political reasons. We will have nothing to hide. The New Zealand Government gives every Cook Islander freedom to come to New Zealand, and I see no reason why the Cook Islands' Government should not do the same." Education—"It has reached a high standard but I consider it is one-sided at present. In 5-10 years time under the present system the Cook Islands would be full of clerks and schoolteachers. I would like to see agricultural and technical schools opened right away."
NZ Government subsidy—"The subsidy has increased in the past 20 years from less than £40,000 to more than £lm. The party wants to work to reduce it, to make the Islands an asset rather than a liability."
Employment—"There is no unemployment. But at present it is easier to work for a store or the Government than to work on a plantation, so the land is being neglected. It is the plan of the party to encourage people to go back on the land and re-establish themselves."
Albert Henry spoke also of the type of people who were leading the Cook Islands Party. The Deputy Leader, he said, was a doctor, the Secretary a primary school headmaster, and one of the executive members held an MA in economics, while women members included the President of the Women's Institute. At present, he said, all prospective candidates were Maoris, but there were many European members in the party and "one or two we would like to see as candidates."
And the ultimate goal of his party? "The time will come when we will have to choose between gradual integration and gradual full independence—but we do not know at present. The first three years will give an indication of how we are going."
The New Zealand University Students Association has made a policy stand against apartheid. This is apparent from the resolutions passed at the recent meeting of NZUSA in Auckland over tournament.. They have implicitly indicated their opposition to New Zealand receiving the 1965 South African Rugby Football team as one representative of the Republic.
The resolutions included:
1. The setting up of scholarships to enable Africans from South Africa to obtain higher education, in spite of the apartheid system. NZUSA hopes to start a fund raising campaign to support the scholarship.
During the discussion at the external sub-committee level, Mr. Falconer. International vicepresident, told delegates that when the day came for apartheid to go the Africans in South Africa would need an educated work force. He said that NZUSA should help to educate the Africans by providing these scholarships. One of the uses of the scholarship he explained, would be to educate African teachers.
To raise tunds, it was suggested that NZUSA should appeal to nongovernmental organizations, such as trade unions and Federated Farmers. Bruce Middleton suggested that a nation wide appeal be made on March 21, Shapeville commemoration day.
2. NZUSA expressed its full support for NUSAS (National Union of South African Students), other organisations opposed to apartheid and the vast majority of the people of South Africa in their struggle for the destruction of apartheid.
It was suggested that NZUSA should believe in a world-wide economic boycott of South Africa as the only hope left for bringing about a peaceful change of the political situation in South Africa. This was opposed by Massey. Mr. Rimmer of Massey said. "Simple economics tells me that a world-wide economic boycott of South Africa will not bring about a peaceful change of the political situation there. If we institute an economic boycott of South Africa, the first person to suffer will be the black South African who is the worker. Everything will be passed down to him and I cannot see that this will bring about a peaceful change."
As several other delegations were opposed to a world wide economic boycott, it was resolved that the boycott should be on a personal level. In support of this idea Mr. Cole, a Nigerian student studying at Otago said. "I do believe that in a question like apartheid which concerns, which should concern the majority of people here, it is right to make a little personal sacrifice."
A majority of the delegations were in support of the idea that the boycott should come from within each individual student and that it should be an expression of the student's personal opposition to apartheid. It was realised that this would not be an economic boycott but a boycott due to the individual students personal conviction of the inhumanity of apartheid.
3. The following motion was passed at Winter Council:
"That this council of NZUSA in accordance with the recommendation to the national unions from the 11th I.S.C. calls upon the New Zealand government, all organisations and the people of New Zealand to desist from implicit or explicit support for apartheid in the belief that a united front will give strength to individuals in South Africa opposing their system and in particular calls for the nonrecognition of any teams or bodies purporting to represent the Republic of South Africa when the criterion of selection has involved the concept of race and they are in fact representing only the white population."
One interpretation that has been placed on this motion is that of Mr. Middleton. an External officer of NZUSA. "This decision will mean that NZUSA is opposed to recognition by the New Zealand Government and the Rugby Union of the
We are educating far too many for pointless, aimless, uncritical living.
Professor Oliver said this in a memorial lecture, on May 1, 1963, in memory of Donald M. Andersen.
In his lecture, recently published by Pauls. Professor Oliver noted the inadequacy of the university in New Zealand, the "tolerably work shy undergraduate", the university teacher with a "slavery to statistical pass rates, a deification of the examination system a contempt for our disciplines and our pupils, a timidity amounting to cowardice which encourages us to place niggling research and administration above the more exacting primary task of teaching", and the lack in New Zealand of a School of Pacific Studies, of an adequate Asian studies centre; of the facilities to enable us to obtain a deep awareness of man's condition. He like Dr. Sutch, spoke of the lack of the 'quality of life' in New Zealand.
Dr. Oliver has in this invaluable lecture a reminder to the present day student to sense the value of his studies, a reminder to university staff to be deeper and to reapply (or apply) themselves to the understanding of man's condition, to the politician a reminder that education is the 'heart of the matter', and must be treated so, and to the community a reminder of the need to exercise restraint today, so that tomorrow may be secure.
Pauls are to be congratulated in publishing this lecture. May it be only one example of a more intensive effort to retain the rare pearls of wisdom that emanate from our universities.
Seven short plays in two nights of Arts Festival Drama failed to present anything exceptional other than a fine performance of Harold Pinter's "The Lover," by Otago. The somewhat static nature of most of the plays chosen required a higher standard of acting and production than was forthcoming.
Originally for television, "The Lover" examines aspects of the idea of universality in marriage and explores the dichotomy between the feelings of lust and admiration, of sensual excitement and the dreariness of routine existence. The eternal triangle is startlingly twisted with one actor playing the two roles of husband and lover, resolution coming at the end as the roles are confused and the dual personality merged.
Victoria's entry in the competition was "Sotaba Komachi," a translated and modernised Japanese "Noh" play. The play was concerned with the death of a poet (Paul Maunder) when he recognises beauty in old age. Kristin Strickland, who played the old woman, carried the show. It is hard enough for a nonagenerian to portray a ninetv-nine-year-old let alone a student. Miss Strickland was never ludicrous, always effective.
Murray Rowlands, the producer, did not choose to stick to the traditional stylised presentation; instead it was a mixture, losing something in its indecision. A ballroom sequence with clumsy dancing on a small set would be far more effective if presented stylistically without any pretensions to reality. At times the voice of the old woman changed from young to old without any apparent reason. Paul Maunder's movements were slightly stiff and clumsy, but he played his part sincerely and thus effectively.
Victoria's Contemporary Arts group staged "Santa Claus." by E. E. Cummings. Its production was weak. Nigel Roberts and David Mitchell slouched around the stage as Santa Claus and Death respectively, the former strangely effective, reminiscent of an introverted hippopotamus imitating Marlon Brando. David Mitchell had one hand movement which he practised constantly, and the crowd scenes were lacking in vitality and production.
The play showed the corrupting influence of society on the virtues embodied in Santa Claus. Finally. Santa Claus becomes evil. The play itself had the potential to be most amusing and effective, but opportunities for imaginative production to capitalise on the lines and the useful rostrum set were not taken. Movement especially was bad.
Although the standard this year was higher than last year, and the plays more interesting, the production although competent, lacked real imagination and bold and meaningful use of movement especially.
The opportunity for societies to send a three-act play next year should provide a greater stimulus to producers and actors as well as making available a larger range of suitable plays.
There were several notable performances in Victoria's contribution to Arts Festival. On the opening night the choir sang a selection of madrigals. They turned on some fine singing in Upon a bank of roses by John Ward, and Draw on sweet night by John Wilbye.
The two madrigals by Monteverdi were not so successful. The slight lack of balance in the choir's tone due to a scarcity of tenors was more noticeable in these pieces. The difficulty of the music sapped much of the life from the singing. Conductor Robert Oliver tended to exaggerate entries at the beginning of sustained notes. These occasional explosions of sound in the midst of the calm progress of Monteverdi (especially in Non Si leva ancor) seemed as out of place as squibs at a coronation. Firm but not exaggerated entries are necessary.
In the final concert. Rosemary Barnes's playing of Bach's Chromatic Fantasia and Fugue was deservedly well received. Her rendering was a big improvement on an earlier performance given in one of the Music Club's lunch hour concerts. She played with assurance and vigour, balancing the grace of melody in the work against its passages of technical turbulence.
Organist Anthony Jennings gave sensitive, well executed performances of three of Bach's Chorale Preludes in the St. Matthew's Church concert. His playing of the Prelude and Fugue in G minor by Buxtehude and the Toccata in B minor by Gigout was likewise noteworthy for its clarity and power. Mention must also be made of Alan Simpson's playing, especially in Nun Komm by J. S. Bach and Unto Us Has Come Salvation (Anon.).
Also at this concert the choir, together with a combined Victoria and Auckland orchestra, performed O Sing Unto The Lord by Purcell and Magnificat by Buxtehude. In a building well suited to sound of this music, the choir and orchestra gave both these pieces plenty of life. It was good to hear the soloists this time, since in the previous performance of these works at Wellington's new Anglican Cathedral the soloists, with a single exception, had been either inaudible or unintelligible.
Other Victoria participants in the Festival included Nelson Wattie (bass), who did not seem to be in quite as good a voice as usual. He sang some songs by Schubert and Douglas Lilburn. Theodora Hill played Scriabin's Nocturne for Left Hand, and played it well. But not even a Richter or a Rubenstein could conceal the poverty of the music. A new piece by Britten, the Night Piece (
A word now about the final concert of the Festival which was given in the Auckland Town Hall Concert Chamber. This concert saw the first performance of a cantata by Ronald Tremain, commissioned by the Auckland University Music Society. The cantata Tenere Juventa (Tender Youth) was for choir and two pianos. The best that can be said of this work is that it is harmless. No doubt the singers enjoyed singing it, but I doubt if we will ever hear it again. The text (in Latin) was taken from the Carmina Burana, a collection of mediaeval Latin songs, which has provided Karl Orff with material for his composition Carmina Burana.
In fact, Mr. Tremain's music seemed to be heavily under the thumb of Karl Orff's style, in a pallid sort of way, of course. The cantata was performed twice and did not improve with acquaintance.
The most interesting feature of this concert was the presentation of several works by Anton Webern. At one time the least noticed of the Viennese trio of Webern, Berg and Schoenberg, Webern now seems to be eclipsing the other two. Yet even among a supposedly sophisticated audience such as was at the Concert Chamber, his music drew titters from a few.
The Auckland contingent are to be congratulated on tackling this difficult music. It was especially interesting to hear the Symphony played by the Auckland University Chamber Orchestra conducted by Michael Wieck. This work, like all of Webern's music, packs a lot into a few notes and a small stretch of time. Despite its modem sound and the fact that it is written in the twelve tone system the music retains a surprising number of more "orthodox" characteristics.
The repetition, inversion, development, etc., of themes are readily recognisable at first hearing; the overall form is orthodox. Webern's music teaches a sound lesson in the effective and economical use of the orchestra.
In this concert, also, the Auckland University Chamber Orchestra played Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 5. Michael Wieck seems more successful as a violinist than as a conductor. The playing in this and other works the orchestra did was too often mechanical and wooden. Sound consisted of loud and soft with little in between, and a limited range of timbre.
While in the past Otago students had been quietly aware of inadequacies in the realm of student accommodation, only this year had there been action towards improving: the situation, said Otago student Rhys Harding in Wellington.
Medical student Harding was the co-author of a series of articles on accommodation in Otago's student paper, Critic. These articles appeared in the last four or five Issues.
The concept that 'big brother would look after us" is harmful on two counts; firstly, because government action would always come too late, and secondly, and more importantly, because students were losing their most valuable asset—power over their own affairs.
Mr. Harding outlined the efforts being made by the Otago students. At the end of the first term a team of students drawn from a newly formed and independent club undertook a survey of student flats in the North Dunedin area. About half the total number of student flats were visited, giving a reasonably representative sample.
Study of the results showed that the demand for student flats was increasing and that subdivision and rent-hiking were already in progress. Rent per head was found to be just under £2.
It was considered that 30 per cent of the flats visited fell short of the ideal (a living room plus individual bed-sitting room, hot water, adequate power points, most heavy furniture, washing machine and perhaps refrigerator all supplied).
He said that it was difficult to get a flat in central Wellington for less than £3 per room.
When demand exceeded supply prices soared, subdivision frequently occurred and overcrowding was Inevitable in order to keep the per capita rent at a reasonable level.
Otago's newly elected executive had set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the possibility of OUSA owning student flats. Alternative measures of solving the accommodation problem had been briefly considered. They included building a multistory hostel or two smaller selfcontained units. Mr. Harding commented that the major drawback to these schemes was their high cost.
The committee was still investigating aspects of the "house-a-year" scheme. Administration by students did not seem to be a problem, rather finance for the protected scheme seemed to be the
One foolproof argument for the desirability of student-owned flats, he said, was that no landlord was
Asked whether he thought the outlay was warranted in view of
The OUSA committee's findings tentatively showed that, with an initial outlay of £5000 from OUSA funds, five houses, each costing about £3000, could have been bought. The remainder of the money would come, as a table mortgage at 5 per cent, from an outside source. Rent per student would be fixed at £90 per year. With all expenses accounted for, including £50 per year renovation costs on each home, £1000 would come back as profit into the OUSA coffers within a year. This would enable the purchase of another house; thus a house a year could be not only a slogan, but a reality.
The aim of the scheme, he said, would be to acquire enough houses
Mr. Harding did note, however, that cheaper land values made such projects easier in Dunedin.
This Salient was edited by Anthony Haas. It's associate editor is Steve Chadwick, its chief subeditor Penn Pattisson, and the political editor Russell Campbell. George Quinn is fine arts co-editor, and Geoff Rashbrooke is sports corresspondent. Martin Dawson organises the opinion surveys, and Dick Shorter reports executive. He, and Frances Lipson and Dave Preston are on the resident executive of NZSPA, and are responsible for NZUSA reports. Pat Norris is fine arts editor. Contributors to this issue included Dave Wright, Hugh Rennie, Murray Rowlands, Jim Ansell. Graham Lees. Mary Hurst. Steve Whitehouse, Pat Caughley, Boyd Anderson.
John Harlow is advertising manager, and often leaps into répertoriai shoes, Don Laing is our photographer and Margaret Cooper is our layout assistant. Ian Galloway is business manager and John Llewellyn and Robyn Lee distribute Salient, not only on the campus, but at the training college and in ever-more shops downtown.
Our administration officer, Trevor Crawford has left us to take over the chairmanship of the accommodation subcommittee. Thanks for your labours, Trevor!
Once Again Winter Tournament has been and gone, but despite certain gloomy prognostications, Victoria athletes sported quite friskily and although the hosts, Auckland, behaved in a most hostile fashion by collecting nearly twice as many points as any other university, the Victorians are close on the heels of Otago and Canterbury with only the skiing results to come in. Auckland weather over the tournament was a bit hard on those that wanted to do some sun-bathing; mostly grey skies and showers. All Wellingtonians never failed to comment on this and used to refer to the beautiful weather back down in the Capital—not the way to win friends and influence people.
A Lot of shilly-shallying around has been going on over the topic of where next year's tournament is to be held, but it appears tournament is still going to be here at Victoria. After seeing the magnificent way that Auckland organised everything, there's going to be one helluva lot of work to be done to do as well. So give some thought, hey fellas? Hey Fellas? Well durn me I thought I had an audience a minute ago!
♦♣ Defending Champions in this event, Victoria had to be content to share the men's indoor basketball title with Auckland. The competition was so close that after three rounds Victoria, Otago, Auckland and Canterbury had each won two games and lost one, poor Massey having lest all four games. Victoria cleaned up the Cantabrians to take six points.
Outstanding for the Greens was Graeme Hellberg, who notched up 67 points over the series, and as well was one of the stars of the NZU 'A' team that narrowly beat Auckland 'A'. Also playing for NZU 'A' was Bob Ryerson while Paul Stannard and Roger Booth gave Victoria representation in the NZU 'B' side. Stannard looked like winning the game by himself until he became fouled-up and fouled-off.
Victoria beat Auckland 57-56, Canterbury 71-66, Massey 68-45, lost to Otago 52-69.
♣ An Apology is due to the Victoria judoka; they must have been mixing saki in with their rice because they made hash of a suggestion that they didn't have the strength to do well at tournament. In actual fact all the four universities that entered teams were of such an even standard that there was a three-way tie for second place. As a university sport, judo seems to be on the up-and-up, with a coaching team coming over from Australian Universities in the near future, and such close competition at tournament.
Otago 22, 1; Auckland, Victoria, Canterbury, 19, 2.
♣ The Team did very well and came very close to relieving Canterbury of the ICI Shield which they have held continuously since
Final ICI Shield totals were: Canterbury, 2368, first; Victoria, 2362, second; Lincoln, 2302, third.
♣ Faced With an almost impossible draw Victoria performed very creditably. Monday morning they drew 8-all with last year's winners, Otago, but lost 18-19 on games. Then on Monday afternoon they played eventual winners, Auckland, who had a bye that morning and were thus completely fresh. Undoubtedly this was not deliberate; however it was both stupid and unfair. Strong words, but this happened to Victoria last year too.
Victoria's top player. Lim Ee Chlat, was No. 1 for the NZU t am and playing with Gaynor Simpson came close to upsetting the top Auckland pair Richard Purser and Heather Robson in the mixed doubles section of the NZU match against Auckland. Also in the NZU team were Jane Mowatt as the women's No. 3 and Seow Bin Gay as a reserve.
Victoria beat Canterbury 11-5, Massey 15-1, lost to Auckland 5-11, Otago 8-8 (18-19).
♥ The Victoria golfers hit their little white calls with some expertise to get within 18 strokes or an Auckland team playing on their home course. Although no detailed results were available, Victoria's P. Rankin appears to have been the best golfer in the tournament and to have been largely responsible for his team's second placing.
Auckland, 954, 1; Victoria, 972, 2; Canterbury, 990, 3; Lincoln, 1033, 4; Otago, 1063, 5.
♣♦ The Table Tennis was won rather unexpectedly by Auckland but Victoria were breathing down their necks—a difficult thing to do from the other side of a table-tennis table. The Victoria men were the strongest at the tournament, but the women just couldn't match the ability of the Aucklanders.
Barry Cross and Harrison Waterhouse fought out the men's singles final, won by Cross, and combined well to take the doubles final to add nine points to Victoria's total. Both were automatic selections for the NZU side that played Auckland province.
Auckland 16½, 1; Victoria 14, 2; Lincoln 1½, 3.
♦ Victoria Fencers slashed their opposition to ribbons and left bloodied swordsmen all over the place—or would have if lethal-type weapons had been in use. It was really magnificent to watch a Victoria team completely dominate a sport—they won the men's foil, epee and sabre and came third in the women's foil, quite a performance.
David Lind-Mitchell, Zoltan Apathi and David Hurley took three of the four places in the NZU side that went down to Auckland 3-13, not too bad when it is remembered that Auckland has some of the country's finest fencers. Helen Schwarz was the outstanding female fencer of the tournament, dropping two games through carelessness only, and fought for the NZU women s team.
♣ Unheralded and unsung, the Victoria smallbore shooters surprised a lot of people by taking second place behind Canterbury. In fact, the team nearly caused one of the biggest upsets of tournament, finishing only five points in arrears.
Victoria had four representatives in the twelve-man NZU side, M. Borch, P. Whitmore, B. Ward, and G. Harvie. Definitely a heartening effort from a team that did much better than expected, probably the only one to do so at that.
Canterbury 2367-162, 1; Victoria 2362-152, 2; Lincoln 2302125, 3.
♣ As Expected, Auckland won the Association Football, although they had a close call against Otago. The Victoria team could only manage third equal with Canterbury after a surprise loss to Lincoln on a muddy ground that made the playing of good football nigh-on impossible. Goalie Rod Bustard and backs Max Bognuda and Bill Arcus showed how to do it throughout and Bognuda was unlucky not to make the NZU team.
Victoria beat Massey 3-0, Canterbury 2-1, lost to Auckland 1-5, Otago 1-2, Lincoln 1-4.
♣ Ably Led by Brian Christie, the squash team came a good third and nearly defeated Otago for second place. Canterbury were too good for the others and won fairly easily. Christie as No. 3 for the NZU team won their only game when they played Auckland and all in all the Victoria team did as well as could be expected.
Victoria beat Auckland 3-0, Massey 3-0, lost to Canterbury 0-3, Otago 1-2.
♠ When a Club sends a team to tournament that is a mix ture of its first, second and third teams, because most of the regular first team members are ineligible for tournament, then the club is going to fail rather horribly, particularly if tactics are built around a few star players who become unavailable. The Victoria men's hockey administration were obviously unaware of this with the result Victoria came last equal with Otago and Massey.
Victoria beat Massey 2-1, lost to Otago 1-2, Auckland 0-7, Canterbury 1-6. Auckland won the title when they defeated Canterbury 1-0.
♠ The Women Indoor bas ketballers as a whole did not have the experience, fitness and general ability required to do well in a tournament of this nature—or indeed, of any nature. Even so, Mary Hurst and Judy Coveny were above the average standard, the whole team kept on trying, and as consolation they beat Massey.
Victoria beat Massey 24-13, lost to Otago 7-46, Auckland 14-52, Canterbury 8-23. Otago won the title for this year.
♠♠ Otago's Peter Welsh made this year's cross country field look silly by taking off and winning by about 300 yards. The Auckland team made the race even sillier by getting seven men in the first nine. As expected. Victoria came fifth and last in the team's event, but this rather sordid performance seems to have shaken up the club to such an extent that an improvement next year is highly likely. The main problem is attracting young runners to the club, because let's face it, Vic harriers haven't much to offer at the moment.
??? There is nothing much one can say about the performance of the women's hockey team, except to express the wish that if a team is sent next year, they compete as an independent side and keep the good name of Victoria untouched. We won't say we hope they enjoyed the parties, we know they did!
Victoria lost to Auckland 0-12, Otago 1-7, Canterbury 0-8, Massey 1-5. OUCH!
Hello listeners . . . I'm standing in the great hall of the Ponsonby Hotel and what a magnificent sight is before me. What a colourful cavalcade of costumes and neck scarves of a multitude of hues. And, right in front of me, gathered around the sacrificial bench of the Inn, which dates back to the winter of nineteen fiftynine, is a vast congregation, waiting with excited, yet patient, anticipation for the ceremony to begin.
The initiates are looking towards a white-coated figure whose vestments are in stark contrast with the almost universal, hooded habits of the congregation. Now, one can see light filtering down from the fluorescent tubing and shining on the young uplifted faces. A most moving spectacle. . . . And while we're waiting for the ceremony proper to begin, the congregation is preparing itself, with gaily-coloured scarves fluttering, much as the banners of Henry V at Agincourt must have fluttered. Individuals are leaving the great hall at intervals to seek spiritual relief in the private antechambers. An essential part of the ceremony.
Yes ... I think . . . yes! And now they're ready! The principal white-gowned figure has raised his hand for silence. He is moving between the sacrificial benches, above which are hung simple containers of manycoloured liquids. His voice is blurred. Blurred. I suspect, with a sense of pageantry—and spirit:
". . . and on my left, with five years of drinking, two blues and three convictions . . ." As he finishes speaking, the most important part of the traditional libatory ceremony is about to begin. I can see the initiates moving their heads quite near to their chalices which have been filled with the customary amber fluid. This is a sight that very few of us here today will be able to forget. The gathering is hushed. Silence . . .
♦♣ Only Just!
♣ Well-battled!
♥ Valiant they be tho' vanquished . . .
♣♦ Not Quite!
♦ Victory!
♠ A spade's a spade, dammit!
"Hands on the table! Ready . . . Drink!"
There is a sudden flurry of activity. The initiates are lifting the chalices to their mouths and attempting to imbibe the amber draught as quickly as possible Now the congregation are chanting traditional responses—"Spillage! Re-Drink! Elbow Action, Elbow Action!"
The initiates are completing the ritual, gaining, it appears, as much by skin absorption and beard osmosis, as by direct libation . . I can't quite see . . . but they appear to have finished. Yes! I think they have. Assistants are moving behind the sacrificial benches retopping the chalices of the congregation who banter the initiates with time-honoured jocund comments. ... I can't quite hear above the crowd, but . . . the white-coated leader is announcing that the team to his left has performed the rite quickest, and is therefore the winner!
Oh! and while the winning initiates are being congratulated, one member of the opposing team is being assisted to a private ante-chamber . . . pardon? Oh . . . I've just been informed that in the excitement during his part of the ritual, he neglected to open his mouth. There's tremendous activity around the benches and the sounds of merriment echo from the high, vaulted, hardboard roof. . . . And there's a stir at the back of the room . . . some disturbance. And yes, Yes! Walking with ponderous authority are bluehabited and helmeted, traditional symbols of evil and warning. This is the moment many have been waiting for.
The congregation are registering mature expressions or attempting to avert their faces. As this stately, yet sinister procession moves towards the broadcasting position members of the crowd move with humble discretion towards the egresses, almost. It might seem, as if a heavy hand had fallen on their shoulder and said ... oh.
". . . could I see your driving licence, sir?" Get your . . . un . . .Oh! And now I return you from the great hall at Ponsonby back to the . . .
Click.
Printed by Truth (NZ.) United, 23-27 Garrett Street, Wellington, for the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association.
Every New Zealand University Student Is Asked To Boycott South African Goods