What-ho the University Red?

Elsewhere Salient gives a dazzling description of our revolutionaries, but this is essentially a lolly-pop picture. For the past few years the serious-minded socialist has been part of an active minority, vocal but unwanted in the university. It has been supplanted by a generation of smug ivory-towerists isolated from both the university as a whole and from the community. Those whose academic pursuits have not dulled their senses to the possibilities of other modes of existence have found solace in the social merry-go-round, a helter skelter of useless chit-chat shielding them from the necessity of serious thought. We wonder how far this is the product of national complacency and laissez faire. Has a benevolent Uncle Sid lulled even the student to sleep? What has become of our proud tradition?

Politics determine the conditions of our existence, from bursaries to what we cat for breakfast. The student should be the first to recognise this. This is why the Socialist Club exists. Socialists at Victoria have always been active in the campaign for better student facilities. We need a new Student Union Building, larger and brighter lecture rooms, comfortable common rooms, hot water in the cloak rooms, a new gymnasium, a new chemistry block, playing fields—but a full list of our needs would fill several issue of "Salient." It is for our readers to decide such matters. The Students' Association is your union and should be made use of at all times. Air your grievances democratically, don't moan about it over your expensive coffee in the caf.

The Socialist Club is a forum for political opinion and even if you are true "blue" come along and use us. Controversy stimulates thought and you might even convert us. The club membership ranges from delicate pinks to full-blown reds. We have no external affiliations (barring the odd cable to Moscow) but provide a nucleus for the discussion of student problems—local and International. Our national body is the New Zealand Student Labour Federation and looking further afield [unclear: support] the activities of the Inter national Union of Students. We believe that the best student conditions exist in "a Socialist society, but of course you may not agree. Come along and find out more about Socialism, don't lock yourself away in that ivory tower or bury your face in a mug of beer.

Messrs. Carrad. Braybrooke and McCreary have been appointed to the Extrav. Script Selection Committee. The closing date for scripts, formerly December 15, has been advanced to cover late entrants.