Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 18, No. 9. July 1, 1954

To The Editor

To The Editor

Now, Mr. Scott . . .

The Editor. "Salient."

Dear Sir,—It was startling to find your editorial "Just in Passing" dealing at once with the war in Indo-China (16 lines), the reprieve of the Niue Islanders (15 lines), and our capping celebrations (6 lines). But your manner of dealing with these question was even more startling.

If "Salient" believes "that the (Indo-China) question must be answered with some degree or (sic) urgency" why does it deal with the matter "just in passing"? Secondly. "Salient" states that "although New Zealand remains part of the 'free world' . . . this is mainly due to our fortunate geographical position. There is no guarantee that such will be the ease in future". Faith can move mountains, but to what region of the earth is "Salient" going to move New Zealand? Thirdly, "arguments . . . concerning a 'Second Korea) and 'American Interference'" cannot be refuted by saying that the defeat of the French armies "will have implications which this generation will have to face." There are similar logical and grammatical confusions in the Niue Islanders paragraph.

The most startling feature of the editorial, however, was that it so rarely attempted to justify its assertions by reasoned arguments. Even the "Evening Post" reasons in its editorials. But "Salient" seemed to abandon reason in favour of stating a private credo—the words "we believe" appeared three times, together with "we ourselves feel" once.

The conclusion is inevitable, that "Salient's" editorial, however praiseworthy in intention, was shoddy journalism. As such, the merits of any set of political ideals cannot excuse it.

Yours etc.,

D. Scott.

First of all. Mr. Scott, since when has the Editor of this paper boon denied the right of expressing his own opinion. And if he is so versatile as to actually have an opinion on three different and we admit unrelated subjects by what canon of journalism is he denied the right of expressing those opinions in an editorial, as we did in the issue of "Salient" of April 30.

We did not presume to deal with these, questions in the sense that your letter implies. "Salient" is "an organ of student opinion." The facts that are available have appeared in the newspapers and in other sources, and they are as accessible to you. Mr. Scott as to anyone else. We did nothing but assert the right of any member of the community be the Editor of "Salient" or L.D. Austin—the right to express an opinion.

Secondly, Mr. Scott, we appreciate your statistical computations which have revealed Interesting facts of which we would have otherwise remained in ignorance. We have continued your researches and we are now in a position to inform you that the editorial also contained eleven commas.

Finally, Mr. Scott, we assure you that we did, not in any way wish to write a "startling" editorial, and wo apologies for any mental stress it may have caused you.—Ed.

The Editor, "Salient."

Dear Sir,—As one who attended the recent A.G.M. of the Students Association I was justifiably shocked at the failure, at one stage, of the meeting to constitute a quorum. But more remarkable than the apathy of so called "enlightened", members of the community, was the absence of many students who had submitted their names for election. It is certainly fortunate for the College that those persons were not elected.

This is not a condemnation of those unsuccessful candidates that were present; it is a condemnation of those who stood for election and yet failed to attend the A.G.M. It is remarkable that students who before the elections were each possessed of a plausible panacea for student problems, were unable to attend the A.G.M. Some students apparently are more interested in proclaiming their personal ability through your special election issue and placing their photograph on public view, than in trying to understand the Association's problems or in finding a solution to them.

Let us hope that in future years students weigh well their motives and their qualifications before standing for election.

Yours faithfully,

Gordon N. Cruden.

(A financial member of the Students Association).

Reply to "Vic B"

The Editor, "Salient."

Dear Sir,—Your Vic B. correspondent has not appealed to your readers in vain. Partial answers to her questions are (1) A lot. especially if the house has not been painted for a long time. Say £80-£150. (2) The Swords Club meets on Wednesdays and Saturday morning. (3) On Saturday nights at public dances the dancing must finish at 12. Otherwise, not many indeed. (4) Depends what else she eats.

—Vic B. Enthusiast.

"S.M.H."—Would you please hand your name to the editor as evidence of good faith.