Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 10, No. 4. April 23, 1947
IUS Affiliation
IUS Affiliation
The question of ratification of our affiliation to International Union of Students then came up for discussion. Extracts from the report of the Australian delegate to the last IUS meeting were read. This report is substantially the same as, but more emotive than, the report of Miss Janet Bogle to NZUSA.
Murphy (Australia): Mr. Arcus is not a completely unbiassed observer. Arcus had stated in his report that British NUS delegation was an unrepresentative, undemocratic, communist-run Union, whereas in fact NUS is very representative of English students. Although politics do play a part in the proceedings of IUS, we must remember that the European countries were less fortunate than Australia and New Zealand, and had direct contact with Fascism during the war; the result is that the students of these countries have a political and strongly anti-fascist outlook.
Morton (AUC): We are very indebted to Mr. Murphy for straightening things out, but on the basis of Miss Bogle's report AUC is alarmed at the extreme weighting of IUS by a political Eastern Bloc. OU moved, VUC seconded, that the affiliation to IUS be ratified. AUC moved, CUC seconded an amendment, that ratification be postponed, pending a full discussion by College Executives.
Taylor (VUC): We favour full cooperation with IUS, and if NZUSA disaffiliate we will send our own delegate. We suggest that the delegation be the maximum number and that they be different from last time, as one has not yet sent in a report, and the other report was sent in very late. We suggest that NZUSA endeavour to get a personal source of information in Prague.
Chair: We are fence-sitting if we stay out. We must get inside and try to improve the organization. I suggest information be collected from other countries represented at the Conference.
Morton (AUC): It will make us an insignificant fly on the nose of the Russian bear.
Dowrick (VUC): It appears that AUC think an Eastern Bloc is bad but a Western Bloc would be desirable.
Morton (AUC): We object to supporting in this organization any politics other than true liberal British policy.
Miss Brand (AUC): Mr. Morton is losing sight of the International view. I support ratification and so does Miss Garland (the other AUC delegate). However, as our delegation disagrees, I would like to see the issue deferred to allow for ratification by letter.
Taylor (VUC): This matter should have already been discussed. There has been almost a year to consider it.
The amendment was then put and lost and the motion was carried.
Moved VUC, seconded OU: That the full number of delegates be sent. That NZUSA arrange for a personal contact in Prague. That John Ziman be appointed delegate to the next IUS Council Meeting. (Only one is required.)
That the Prime Minister's Department be approached for financial aid. The motion was carried.
The meeting then considered the report presented by Mrs. Scott on her return from the Australian Conference.
VUC moved, AUC seconded, that "the Resident Executive be empowered to appoint a travel Director." It was felt that the Australian system, where all the information on travel, both at home and overseas, was in the hands of the central office, would be of considerable value in arranging Tournament travel, and also for students going overseas.
A motion was also passed thanking the Australian students for their offer to send an art exhibition to New Zealand.
The meeting then began to consider remits from the Colleges.
VUC/AUC: That the publication of "Rostrum" be discontinued. "Rostrum" has for some time been a financial failure and has never been a popular journal.