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Your Salient Staff Meeting

On Monday, May 26, there was a meeting of the people concerned and interested in "Salient." Since we are now operating "under new management," the following report of, the proceedings is published, in the hope that those who may not agree with policy, opinions and decisions may possibly be spurred into telling us so. Two or three interesting points were made during the course of the meeting and this is as good a time to give them a little publicity.

The first item of business was to appoint staff, and deal out duties. This was duly done, with the results which can be seen under the Editorial on the first page. Under the chairmanship of the new editor (Mr. T. H. Hill) the meeting then proceeded to a consideration of "Salient" policy. It would appear that this is not the first time this vexed question has been debated: aside from the more obvious "political affinity" argument, which is nowadays, as far as "Salient" is concerned, somewhat of a "dead duck," surely there is the question of whether the larger proportion of space should be devoted to affairs of local and college interest, or to a broader discussion of international affairs. Difficult as it is to reach a decision on policy, everyone was decided that as an organ of Student Opinion. "Salient" should be devoted to student opinion, and by logical inference, to student affairs. After all, the majority of our opinions concern our own affairs. That is not to say that there will be no room at all for the discussion of outside affairs. But until someone convinces us that the college as a whole is more interested in international arguments than in its own internal affairs, then we shall devote the larger part of the available space to local events, contributions of local interest, etc.

Next to come up for discussion was the forthcoming Literary Edition of "Salient." At the moment we can not say very much about this except to mention that it is well under control, and is going to be a production of quite a high standard. Some of the most prominent writers in Wellington have already given us contributions and more have been promised. In form, of course, the Literary Salient is going to be something rather different from the usual paper you have been accustomed to read; in appearance also there will be a big difference.

Harking back for a moment to the discussion of "Salient" policy. A suggestion was made that the various clubs around the College (All of them!) should receive more publicity. We are well aware that clubs are an important, perhaps major, part of the college. We cannot, however, appoint an editor in charge of clubs, and expect him to go out and attend meetings of every one of the thirty-odd clubs, find out what they do, when they are going to do it, and where. At least half the students appear to be completely ignorant of the existence of most of the clubs. Surely, there is no club that is so packed, or so exclusive, that it would not welcome a few more members? And surely, many students would welcome an opportunity to find out about a lot of the clubs? A notice board with meetings listed on it is a cold and heartless thing.

So, club secretaries, what about letting "Salient" know a little bit about what your club does, and when it does it. There may be a lot of prospective members who don't even know you exist yet. If you will give us a few regular notes about your activities, we will give you the space.

Finally, the subject of exchanges was discussed. Exchanges, for the uninitiated, are college magazines and newspapers similar to "Salient," sent to us in the expectation that we will reciprocate. Of course, we do. Unfortunately, a number of the exchanges we receive are in Rumanian, Russian, and other foreign (very) languages. The only French language paper we are sent is published in Greece! Moreover, there seem to be decided gaps in our English exchanges. This position will be rectified very shortly.

And so, there you are. That is a broad outline of "Salient's" intentions for the coming series of issues. Emphasis on local and college affairs, though not to the exclusion of interesting discussion of international and political affairs. Any opinion on the latter will be welcome, and we shall do our best not to present any one side of a question without trying to preserve a reasonable balance in the form of an answer or opinion from the other. We would also like to report and publicise adequately all the various clubs, both specialised and of general interest, that flourish in dark corners of the college—but remember, we cannot do that by ourselves. We must have help, especially from the secretaries, committees and members of the clubs concerned. And finally, we are building up our overseas exchanges, and so hope to bring you all the unusual, amusing, interesting, or just plain typical things that go on in other universities.

We hope that this report may be the first of many. In future, you will be able to read of what goes on at the "Salient" meetings; and if you don't like it, or have any suggestions, write and tell us!

R.E.H.