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What's Going on?

Mr. President Interviewed

In reply to a question as to town gown relations, the President [unclear: rcfcriru] to the recent meeting of members of the Association with the city P.R.O. (see elsewhere in this issue for a report of this meeting). The meeting had been enthusiastic and co-operative. in the recent rumpus over the Cable Car the Exce. immediately issued statements to the press pointing out the gross exaggerations of reports, and later decided itself to accept responsibility for the actions. It paid the city council account and [unclear: rcimbutscd] itself from the culprits, flits prompt action helped mitigate the unfavourable publicity received. And the Professorial Board, by upholding the Executive's decision, obviously gave their stamp of approval. The P.R.O. has established contacts with the Senior Reporters of both dailies, and recently, at his invitation, a reponer attended an Exec. meeting.

Asked about student facilities the President pointed out the progress made in recent months. Particularly the work of the House Committee, which has provided a large reading rack, ordered papers, hired pictures, and ordered curtains for the Common Room all at the Association's expense. At the Exec's request the college council, recently had the Common Room and Cafeteria repainted, provided new chairs for the Room, and had the plumbing attended to and new equipment provided for the caf. The Association also bought new crockery, while Miss Rosie, the manageress, herself bought table cloths. Although the Association constitutionally "conducts and manages" the caf. a brief experiment last year proved too costly and troublesome, and the task was passed on to Miss Rosie. The Exce. has by contract set a ceiling to caf prices. While Miss Rosie does not like to allow clubs to use the caf. she is willing to allow its use for Association functions.

Asked whether the Exec. had made any moves to provide a 100m for late club meetings, Mr. Marchant confessed that "no particular step has been taken." although the Exce. Room is opened, and freely used for club committee meetings. However, he pointed out that the Association at present is harbouring its money for the coming Student Union Building. Hence also the fact that nothing, other than persuading the Council to provide new lighting, has been done to the gymn.

But the President stated that the Union Building was proceeding according to time. Cabinet at the beginning of the year agreed to pay £100,000 subsidy and a further subsidy of £1 for £2 up to £15,000 on a public loan. The working drawings are virtually complete, and as soon as the final financial details are approved, tenders will be called. He expects there to be some very definite signs of activity by the end of the year. "I can see nothing that could hold things up." Finance will be helped by a grand gala opening of Extrav next year, with two guinea seats, the Governor-General and all.

While the tennis courts will be lost as a result of the new building the Tennis Club has made temporary arrangements meantime, and it is definitely determined to have new courts laid down.

"Nothing has been done" about providing new telephones. Mr. Marchant said, but last year a new out-line was laid on, and he had no doubt that shortly another application will be made. Drinking fountains are being arranged by the House Committee. It is also, in conjunction with Mr. Dawnson, clerk of exams, seeing to having a door erected to make the women's cloakroom and conveniences less public.

The Exee, has negotiated with Miss Kelly of the Park Store for her to sell crested stationery.

For club suppers the Exec. has bought new crockery, pots, and a £60 hot water system for the kitchen in the gymnasium. However, the President stated that nothing has been done to have supper facilities nearer meeting rooms.

Following the decision of a General Meeting last year, more money has been allotted to cultural clubs than in the past, when often only a token grant was made. Much objection had been made to the Exec's apparent refusal to help clubs bring speakers from other centres. The present policy is that clubs are asked to take advantage of such speakers who are already visiting Wellington, but where that is not possible they are willing to help the clubs. Club grants have increased in roughly the same proportion as the increase in Stud. Ass. fee for general purposes at the S.G.M. last year. Salient has benefited by far more, from £300 to £420, showing the importance the Exce. attaches to Salient as an aspect of student life.

When Salient reporter pointed out the criticisms recently made of the Exce. for being too much out of touch with the students. Mr. Marchant replied that the new House Committee had been specifically instructed to listen to comments and suggestions. The committee has been most successful in establishing such liaison. The Assistant to the Secretary has been assigned the task of seeing that students are adequately informed of all Exce. decisions. He ensured that the Exec, notice board, and the board outside' the caf were kept properly posted. Many students, said Mr. Marchant, who complained at lack of information confessed to not even noticing the posters displayed. The Exec, meetings are always open to students. However, the new Union Building will do much to impune student relations by centralising activity in the one area.

In an endeavour 10 improve still more our relations with Wellington Training College, last Monday representatives of V.U.C. and the T.C. had most successful discussions. Al present T.C. students use our tennis courts each Thursday, free of charge. And in the general protest against city transport fare increase. a joint V.U.C.-T.C. delegation approached the Mayor. They were invited to submit detailed proposals for a possible student concision on the cable car. but unfortunately Training College and V.U.C. ceased acting together and the scheme died away.

Salient reporter asked about provisions for general student welfare. While the Exce. has not been campaigning for welfare officers, it would welcome them, and is in fact at present discussing with the Council the possibility of a Dean of Women students. This would doubtless lead on to similar provision for men. The Exec, are strongly opposed to any type of "warden" whose duties would be of a disciplinary and policing nature. To that we assent.

The new International Affairs Committee will amongst other things be responsible for looking after the welfare of overseas students. The Exec. also, earlier in the year, held a most successful afternoon tea for these students and staff.

The Exce. has also backed the N.Z. U.S.A. in its campaign for Maori Studies at the Universities.

Generally speaking the Exce. leaves national student concerns to the N.Z. U.S.A.. expressing its views at the twice-yearly Council meeting and supporting [unclear: U.S.A.] where can. Last year N.Z.U.S.A. succeeded in having bursaries raised. So far it has failed to gain Senate representation for students, but increasing support is apparent amongst senators. Recently a V.U.C. S.A. Exce. member had discussions with and put the student case to several Senators in Wellington.

V.U.C.S.A. participated in last year's fund raising to bring a South East Asian student here for one or two years. It also has supported the new post graduate exchange scheme with Indonesia. Much of the task of raising money and providing books for S.E. Asian students is undertaken by the local V.U.C. W.U.S. committee, which does a grand job.

There is little that can be done for students persecuted in other countries. However, the Exce. wrote to the Premier of Queensland and the President of the National Union of Australian University Students when academic freedom was under attack there earlier this year. It also supported N.Z.U.S.A. in its protest to the South African Government over developments there. As far as the President knew, however, nothing had been done about the student persecution in South America and elsewhere.

Our reporter was interested in the V.U.C.S.A. attitude to I.U.S. and other organisations whose chief support comes from communist countries. Vic. has tended to have a more liberal and wider view on such matters than other colleges. At the Easter N.Z.U.S.A. Council meeting our delegates unsuccessfully brought forward a remit that New Zealand send observers where possible to communist organised student meetings. (Similar attempts to establish student press links with Iron Curtain countries failed at the New Zealand University Student Press Council meeting). "We may not agree with their political views but we cannot deny their existence." the President declared. "We acknowledge the fact that they are students and have something in common." V.U.C.S.A. sent greetings to the Moscow youth festival, which, as it was. pointed out was attended by many anti-communists as well as fellow-travellers.

—G.A.W.