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Salient. The Newspaper of Victoria University College. Vol. 20, No. 1. March 22, 1956

Munz v Ward at AGM of new Historical Soc

Munz v Ward at AGM of new Historical Soc.

Describing the activity of the club in the previous year as "an outstanding failure," and naming certain meetings as "complete debacles," Alan Ward in the chair at the AGM of the Historical Society, March 13, called for a new and more positive approach to the Society's activities,

He asked the meeting to reject "over specialized, academic and uninspiring arty indulgence in 'dead' affairs of the past" and to concentrate on "live, social, economic and political history."

Certain objections were raised to this point of view. Dr. Munz said that while he agreed that last year's club was not exciting if what Mr. Ward proposed was adopted they might as well rename the society the "Current Affairs Club" or (worse) hand it over to the Psychology Department. "I have always thought that history was the affairs of the past, and I have never considered its study to be an 'arty indulgence'," he said.

Later, chairman Ward admitted that his remarks may have been "a little exaggerated," and there was general agreement about a course of action. The constitution which was adopted (the previous one had been lost, together with all Society records!) provided for "discussions, symposia, forums, film evenings, addresses ... on historical subjects of wide interest and importance, to cater for . . . students of all faculties."