Government Subsidy

In July, 1946, Salient reported that the Government had just decided to support the fund with a subsidy of £2 for £1 with a limit of £40,000. a distinctly heartening piece of news, particularly since in the issue before, Salient had voiced the general opinion in stating that the main body of students didn't know what was happening as regards the building fund anyway, and that the only time they ever heard anything about It was at the Annual General Meeting (probably very poorly attended) and when drives for funds (few and far between) were in progress. Salient then urged greater co-ordination between Executive and students to provoke a more live interest, and stated that information about the plan would be welcomed and willingly published.

In a 1947 number Mr. Warner reminded us in his letter than two years before, the Executive had prepared a list of past students of the college in order to approach them for individual contributions to the fund, but nothing more was done, even though the letter was given a prominent place and the idea itself was sanctioned by the Principal. This scheme would certainly provide another method of raising funds, and is one adopted not only by Universities in other countries but by all kinds of institutions and should at least be given a try.

If we are to get our Student Union Building before the harbour waves are lapping at the site (see N.Z. Year Book for rate of submergence), then we must have other means of raising money than Extrav, and Cappi-cade profits—they won't always be as high as they were last year—and it remains to be seen if Mr. Daniell's suggestion that we raffle the old gym will have to be carried out. Meanwhile it is the business of every student to see that the Student Union Building does not degenerate into a mythical ivory tower but becomes an actuality—soon.