They were obviously acute observers of the New Zealand scene, as was demonstrated by the haka actions. The comedian of the team, Hamid Alhadad, a political science student from Djakarta, added to some Indonesian folk music at a cocktail party in their honour.

But Hamid could be serious. He was most puzzled by New Zealand students' attitude to politics. "They don't seem to be even interested," he said. He was intrigued by this, for politics are the spice of most overseas students' organisations, particularly in Indonesia.

The reason was not hard to work out. Kwa Khay Twan, secretary of the National Union of Indonesian Students, and leader of the delegation, in a speech of thanks pointed out that the visit was worthwhile "because the students in Indonesia are thought to be the leaders of tomorrow," and this was an opportunity to meet New Zealand's future leaders. Little did he know . . .

The group was brimming with talent. They could sing, dance, discuss seriously, and laugh with the best. Even the diminutive Miss Krismartini, about knee-high to a mantis, had a personality at least three times her physical stature.

At Their Best

But they were seen at their best among the Maoris at Ngati Poneke. In no time at all they were at home with everybody. They were fascinated by the hakas and action songs, and were only too happy to perform in return.

It was a pity that more people did not get the opportunity to meet them, vacation time or not. Surely a little more forethought could have been given to arranging a larger student function than the N.Z.U.S.A.'s cocktail party.

Salient's chat with them, all too brief, was an accident of fate and had nothing to do with either the N.Z.U.S.A. or the Student Press Council. The latter, in fact, organised an evening to which anybody except the student press seemed to be welcome.

Salient hopes this type of student visit will become more frequent in future.