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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol 7, No. 5 June 21, 1944
Exam Fee Challenge Taken — Student Compaign Initiated
Exam Fee Challenge Taken
Student Compaign Initiated
The meeting of protect against increased examination fees which was held in the Gym. on Wednesday last was a serious affair. Our students are not often aroused; many matters which concern them vitally pass unnoticed; once out of their torpor, however, they mean business. We feel that the campaign, initiated by the Progressive Club, deserves your support; its importance demands our space.
The meeting opened at 8.15, with Mr. Fowler in the chair. A brief report of the meeting on Friday, 9th June (see p. 4) at which the Examination Fee Committee was set up, and of its activity to date, was presented from the chair. Little time had been wasted, it seemed, N.Z.U.S.A. had been contacted, details of their actions so far ascertained and their co-operation assured; publicity had been arranged and a petition circulated—350 signatures had been obtained by the time of the meeting. The Accountancy Students' Society had been approached and were engaged in collecting signatures to a similar petition. Letters had been drafted to University and Training College Executives asking that similar petitions be organised and forwarded to N.Z.U.S.A. Letters salting for resolutions of support had been prepared for despatch to the following organisations: Public Service Association, P. T. Officers' Guild, Bank Officers" Guild, Shipping Officers' Guild, N.Z. Educational Institute, Secondary School Teachers' Association, Federation of Labour, Trades Council, Education Board, and Junior Chamber of Commerce.
N.Z.U.S.A. Co-operates
Mr. J. B. C. Taylor, president of N.Z.U.S.A., gave proof of his co-operation by presenting the schedule and statement drawn up by N.Z.U.S.A. for presentation to the Director of Stabilisation. These documents, giving full details of the changes in fees and of the effects on students, had been referred to the Price Tribunal, said Mr. Taylor. The Price Tribunal, which nominally governs charges made for goods and services, is at present seeking a decision from the Solicitor-General as to whether this covers examination fees.
Mr. Taylor stressed the desirability of having some active student organisation which could act as a link between the individual student and the Executive. At present the apathy of the students has allowed a trend in University affairs which permits certain governing bodies of this institution to treat the students as secondary school pupils.
Mr. Campbell then presented for the committee a detailed plan of campaign.
Plan of Campaign
| 1. | Copies of petitions, schedule, statement and resolution of protest to go before individual College Councils via Exec. representatives or otherwise. For V.U.C. all material must be ready before Friday night. Representative to report reactions. |
| 2. | Above material from all Colleges, together with resolutions of support ing bodies, to be presented to Senate by N.Z.U.S.A. with a request for a definite date of decision. |
| 3. | At the same time (a) N.Z.U.S.A. will be working through Stabilisation and (b) it is most probable that the Trades Council will ask Mr. McLagan to speak direct to Mr. Mason, Minister of Education. Thus the Senate may be approached on three sides at once—by the Minister, by our petition, and by Stabilisation. |
| 4. | If the Senate and Councils do not accede to our petitions, all the material and supporting resolutions will be presented to the Minister for Education and, if necessary, to the Prime Minister. At the same time a full report of our activities will be given to as many dailies and weeklies as will accept it. |
| 5. | If these actions fail, which is unlikely, plans will be formulated for taking the matter to Court. |
Resolution of Protest
"That this meeting of students of Victoria University College wishes to make the strongest possible protest against the raising of examination fees by the New Zealand University Senate and that we deplore the fact that no Effort was made to consult any student bodies whatsoever concerning the proposed increase. We feel that in a country which boasts free education and in a period in which University education is a necessity and not a luxury, the raising of these fees becomes extremely burdensome to the students. We feel that should any increase in the revenue of the New Zealand University become necessary, it should be sought from other sources, and that the burden should not be placed upon the students, who are one of the less well-paid sections of the community."
"That this meeting approve of the plan of campaign presented by the committee and pledges full support and assistance," the chairman threw the meeting open for discussion.
Mr. MacCaskill, in his own inimitable vein, indicated the extremely careful approach required in the matter of publicity. He urged that stress be placed on the breach of faith committed by the Senate in bringing in a new increase in fees without consultation by the student body or their representatives and with a certain studied lack of publicity, rather than an appeal on the grounds of hardship, which might scarcely impress the public of Wellington. After some further discussion an amendment was introduced and passed to this effect. The motion was then carried.
A final motion was brought forward by the committee: "That this meeting desires and requests that the Executive give authority to the Examination Fee Committee to make those communications to outside bodies necessary to their campaign, subject to the provision that material for publication by the Press be first presented to the Executive for their discussion, and if necessary for their amendment." This was amended on a motion by Mr. Walton, who added the provision: "That letters be drafted in conjunction with or with the approval of the secretary of the Executive," and carried.
This protest against the imposition of increased examination fees was initiated by the sponsors of the Progressive Club, and following the reading of the proposed constitution of the club those persons present who were interested in the formation of such a club were invited to sign a request for affiliation.