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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 22, No. 7. June 20, 1959
Diversity in Unity
Diversity in Unity
Sir,—Four years ago when the plans for the Student Union Building were in a state of discussion, at least one religious club requested that a room be set aside as a quiet room or chapel for anyone who wished to use it and, at stated times, for use by the various religious clubs. At that time the Executive was exceedingly non-committal.
It was a fact that there was difference of opinion amongst members of the clubs concerning the actual name of such a room, but from the very beginning there has been unanimity on the basic plan of having a definite room put aside.
We feel that the paragraph headed "Quiet Please" in your last issue was unfortunately capable of the misinterpretation that the clubs concerned have never been able to agree on the subject.
This is completely false: even more so because a committee representative of the four main groups concerned recently forwarded for the executive's consideration a full report on the name, size and even furnishings of the envisaged room.
Non-Committal
Once again the executive's reply was non-committal, and, although they have promised to bring the matter to the notice of the authorities concerned, we very much fear that (as Salient indicated) any room we eventually may obtain will only be by gracious last-minute consideration of the Executive.
1. Never at any time has the Executive made any approach to the religious clubs, even though they have been fully aware of the requests outlined above. 2. This being so, the clubs decided to take the initiative themselves and are in agreement with one another on this matter.
We trust the expressed wish of over 200 students and the goodwill of many others will not be lightly put aside by the new executive.
—Yours, etc.,
Jean Rees,
For Anglican Society, Catholic Students' Guild, Evangelical Union, Student Christian Movement.(The original item stated "the religious clubs could not agree among themselves." The above letter insinuates it was only the mere members who could not agree, we think they are the clubs. It seems to us they could not agree.
Some members of one club even suggested that if a certain other club used the room for services they would be unable to use it at all. The same Club members also suggested the prayers of these other believers might ruin the efficacy of their prayers—unity?
The item was meant to point out that without unity no cause can succeed. "A house divided against itself . . . —Ed.).