For the information of posterity, "Salient" presents the history of the Victoria University College Society for the Discussion of Peace, War, and Civil Liberties.

Believe it or not, that is now the name of the newly- formed. Peace Society.

The Peace Society was formed about two months ago, and at two preliminary meetings, the aims and objects of the Society, and its constitution, were decided upon. An application for affiliation to the Students' Association Executive was refused by that body, and the Executive of the Peace Society called upon the Students' Association to hold a Special General Meeting of students to discuss the matter.

After a long and full discussion before a large body of students, it was decided that affiliation should be granted to the Peace Society, by 74 votes to 22.

The Special Meeting.

Credit must be given to the Chairman, Mr. Ron Corkill, for his impartial handling of the meeting. After several questions proposed by Mr. Lewin had been dealt with, the mover of the motion that affiliation of the Society should be granted, was called upon.

He endeavoured to prove logically that no reasonable Exec could have relied on any of these four reasons, and therefore deduced that the Society had been banned for no reason at all.

Mr. Heine than read a list of reasons compiled by the Exec for the refusal to affiliate the Society. The main reasons wore that other societies already existed which would deal adequately with the topics to be discussed, that it was undesirable that student energies should be diffused in a number of small clubs, that on an important matter like this the students should decide, and that the College would be brought into disrepute by the existence of the Society.

Speakers from the floor then commenced activities, the balance between left and right being fairly evenly distributed. Mr. Ongley, speaking against the motion, attacked the logic of the mover of the motion, and managed to knock a few holes in the amour of his Reason No.1. Mr. Lewin, in a forceful speech, appealed to the page break students to uphold what little academic freedom they did possess.

It would be useless to detail the various speeches. Left versus right, absolute freedom versus restricted freedom, boldness versus compromise - these were the main issues raised. Miss Ball's sincere speech should be noted, however, and Miss Hutchinson's equally sincere counter to it.

Every side of the matter was thoroughly thrashed out. The large majority by which the motion was carried demonstrated conclusively the will of the students. Undoubtedly this was the most important decision made by New Zealand university students for many years: the result will hearten all those who believe in absolute free speech, and those who believe that discussion should be restricted in war time may revise their views now they have seen the weight of opinion against them.

Further Trials.

The Peace Society was all ready to commence its activities. Another meeting had to be held in order to elect the officers of the Society, in accordance with the constitution. Permission was given by Professor Gould for a room in the College to be used for this meeting, but the Principal, Sir Thomas Hunter, on hearing of the matter, revoked this permission.

In an interview with the interim committee, he stated that he was fully in sympathy with the aims of the society - to promote interest in, and discussion of, problems relating to peace, war, and civil liberties - but he was afraid that the town might think from the name that the Society was a propagandist body. He asked if it would be possible to have the name of the Society changed to one reflecting more accurately the aims and objects.

The interim committee promised to bring a motion before a special meeting to change the name to "The V. U. C. Society for the Discussion of Peace, War, and Civil Liberties".

Still Another Meeting.

The motion to alter the constitution by changing the name was carried unanimously.

Meetings of the Society will commence early next term.

M.L.R.

Postscript.

After "Salient" had gone to press, a letter was received from Sir Thomas Hunter wishing the Society a successful season. He regretted being unable to accept the Presidency of the Society, as he would not be able to spend the time necessary to take an active part.

Interviews.

When interviewed by a Salient reporter as to what he thought of the aims of the Society, Professor Wood said that he was all in favour of people thinking deeply on these subjects, emphasizing, however, that though discussion will be very good, it must not be allowed to degenerate into mere propaganda for opposing points of view. "We are in danger of losing our civil liberties", he said, "unless we keep our eyes open. Good luck to the Society if it can promote discussion on a more or less scientific basis". When asked whether he thought the Society would serve a useful purpose, Professor Wood suggested that the need might have been met by existing societies, more especially the Free Discussions Club, although the subject is one of such size and importance that perhaps it does merit a separate Society.

Professor Gould when interviewed said: "Discussion is necessary in time of war, but if it proves to be from a propagandist angle, such an organisation would be better non-existent. Provided that it is in the pursuit of truth I have no objection to the Society, but propaganda must be avoided".

Professor Wood stated further that he thought danger might be implicit in any attempt to get speakers from outside the college. "Any topic is a fit topic for discussion, and out of the clash of views truth will arise" he said, "but when such clubs are used by outside persons to further their own aims, such a club ceases to be of value".

W. E-S.