The general public calls us worthless scoundrels who waste the taxpayers money; and they are right. All we do is look like eccentrics, behave as if we owned the country, and sling off at the Government. Anyone can do that.

Intelligentsia?

Theoretically we are the intelligentsia of the future. But what do we do to prepare ourselves for that role and to deserve that title?

Young and Small

The common reply to Inquiries about the intellectual stagnation at Victoria or any New Zealand University college is the fact that New Zealand is a young and small country; that there is no scope for intellectuals and artists; that the public does not appreciate art; and lastly, that there is no talent.

Lethargy

I agree with the statement that New Zealand is a small and young country. It is decidedly a handicap. But would the student body be more inclined to wake up from its lethargy if it had some notable and illustrious predecessors? Would It not simply leave things as they are in much the name fashion as it does today?

Educate Public

As far as scope is concerned there is a simple solution. The public must be educated to appreciate art and to be proud of its students. As far as literature is concerned the last point cannot be applied so far. However progressive, indulgent and willing the public may be it can hardly feel proud of our present literary products, e.g. Cappicade. And neither can we.

Can Do Better

I have no intention of criticisiting the authors of the book as I can imagine under what conditions they have been working and how sadly they lacked support and even demonstrations of interest from the general student body. But I feel roost confident in stating that we can do better.

No Literature . . .

Let us put Capplcade aside and concentrate in literature in general. There is none at Victoria. Why?

. . . Why Not?

It cannot be that amongst 2300 students there Is no one who feels the urge to write poetry or to express himself in some other fashion! Surely not everybody thinks in terms of beer and girls only!

Impracticable

Do not say that to start a literary movement would be ridiculous and impracticable; that it would never work. Has anyone ever tried it?

VUC Another Oxford?

Why can't Victoria be another Heidelberg or Jena or Oxford? Why can't it be a place to be proud of? Why, if we are to be regarded as revolutionaries by the public, why can't it be for something worthwhile such an production of literature? Why don't we show that we can do other things besides those which people think we do?

Is there no one who shares my views? Who thinks that we should have some organ through which we could show that the education we receive bears some fruit?

Campaign

I call upon all who nurse literary ambitions to come to light with them. I dare them to come out in the open and to take part in this campaign. It will not be easy, I must warn, but if we persist we shall succeed!

—N. Hegedus.