Space Filler

(Lines written on hearing that the annual universities' arts festival is to be held at Massey Agricultural College.

dedicated to e. e. cummings.] even the, farmers (so it seems) are, goingaw] cultur(e)d these. days

Mark Young.

"Evasive Answers"

Sir,—I am sure many of us admired the recent Russian students who visited New Zealand—their knowledge of history, their love of democracy, etc., is astounding. But why did they give such evasive replies when I asked them about Hungary?

One question was: "If the Soviet is so peace-loving and democratic as you claim it to be, how was it possible that Russian troops were sent against the Hungarian Revolutionary Government in 1956, which government was headed by a veteran member of the Communist Party, Ymre Nagy? This government received its power from the previous Communist Prime Minister—Erno Gero—and was thus the only legal government at the time. This government declared its intention to be independent of both the Western and the Eastern blocks and to seek neutrality. It received its power through the will of the majority."

In answer to these questions, there were many evasive answers reference to the Warsaw Pact. Facists, etc. But did they answer my questions? They did not, because they could not. Even if these other "revolutionary governments" of the West were wrong and illegal, it does not mean that the Russian interference was Justified.—I am, etc.,

Not Impressed.

(Abridged.)

Library too Victorian

Sir,—I would like to see the furious energy of students directed to more important issues than the obtaining of fruit in the Cafeteria. The most serious defect of the University at present is its insufficient number of books and lack of up-to-date material. Our library may be an antique dealer's dream; it does not do justice to modern research or scholarship. I am, etc.,

Frustrated Students.

Modesty Keen

Sir, If perverted male is so keen on modesty why the hell doesn't he move to another table. I am, etc.,

Uninhibited.

Thighs

Sir-I like them. Ought I to go any deeper?. I am, etc.,

Heh! Heh!

Sir,—If "Perverted Male" so desires he may borrow my high-powered binoculars, with "zoom" lenses. Anyway, I'm not ashamed of being a woman.—I am, etc.

"Thigh High."

Sir,—Why spoil the fun? If "Perverted Male" objects to what he sees then let him shut his eyes. I shan't. I consider that the girls of V.U.W. have wonderful thighs. I should know. This last term I've been able to undertake a most rewarding and fascinating study of their beauty and quality thanks to those lovely, lovely short skirts.

The sight makes us feel as Drake or any other explorer must have felt when, having climbed a tree, he gazed in rapture on a wondrous fair and virgin (?) territory. Why deny us this? Are we not encouraged by the Governor-General himself, to take our pioneering spirit into new fields of endeavour and exploration?

Life has few pleasures at this time of the year with exams pressing close. Don't spoil the fun.—I am, etc.

Jack-the-Ripper.

The Ladies Answer

Sir,—If "Perverted Male" of Salient 13 can please take his lecherous eyes off my thighs to read this letter I shall attempt to justify my attire. Firstly, has how ever tried walking around Welling ton's windy city in a full or circular shirt and remained modest. Secondly, does he not realise the saving in material in a short tight skirt. Thirdly, has he ever thought of how cold it is with Wellington's breezes whistling between one's thighs and the saving in food by the greater closeness of the insulating.

Anyway, I think, "Perverted Male" is not perverted at all but that his ego is suffering under the onslaught of his super ego due to the feelings of attraction which I hope he is feeling. I am, etc.,

Not Yet Perverted Female.

Meditation and Prayer?

Sir,—In connection with the Quiet Room some people seem to think that the only people who are interested in prayer and thought are Christian people. This is very flattering to them, out hardly true.

It was to meet the wishes of a large number of students, "Christian" and "non-Christian." that the Quiet Room was set aside as a place where they can go either Individually or in Groups for a few minutes peace. Some of them may want a time of meditation and prayer. Some may just want to get away from the atmosphere of study and swot for a while.

Any Individual or Group in the University is entitled to use the room. The Religious Clubs have no more or no Less Right than any other group. The room is just as available to all students as the Common Common Room is. Not all students will want to use it, but then not all students want to use the gymnasium, and no one seems very disturbed about that.

It is hard to see why the freedom of those who want to use this room, on an Individual and group basis, for quiet and meditation away from the atmosphere of swot, should be violated by those who want to turn this place into just another room for study.—I am, etc.,

Bob Stewart.

The Reason why

Sir,—As the member of the House Committee responsible for placing the contentious notice In the Quiet Room, I wish to comment on the letter from N. Lewis in the last "Salient."

The draft regulations for the use of the Quiet Room were drawn up by the House Committee and subsequently approved by Exec. The regulations took into account the use contemplated for the room during the planning of the S.U.B., various resolutions passed by previous Executives, and submissions of religious societies regarding the provision for and use of a quiet room.

Delegated with the duty of general oversight of the Quiet Room, I had to inform students of the purpose of the room. The notice, a purely temporary arrangement, was the result. It was designed mainly to catch the eye and to inform people what the room was not to be used for. I make no apology, either for the placing of the notice, or for its wording, which was never intended to set aside the room exclusively for prayer or for the religious clubs. Judging by the vocal efforts of some individuals at the S.G.M., the notice has been much misunderstood, but I feel that a common-sense perusal of the draft regulations contained in the minutes of the House Committee would clear the whole matter up, and the regulations would be seen I to be in the best interests of a majority.

The Christian Viewpoint

I would like to add my own comments as an inividual Christian. The Quiet Room is for quiet, prayer and thought. Quiet reading as distinct from studying is not forbid den. If I wish to go in and pray or read the Bible, I shall do so, and I will perfectly happy to have Mr Dwyer alongside me reading the life of Kropotkin in preparation for an attack on Exec. The banning of studying is an extremely sensible provision. The Quiet Room is designed as a place of refuge from the activities of the rest of the university—to permit people to study would be to nullify the unique value of the room. As a room allowing study, it would be open to abuse—a personal swot hole for a favoured few. As a Quiet Room, it is available to all I who wish to drop in for peace and quiet.

I would emphasie that the room is not for the exclusive use of the religious societies. The provision allowing for the booking of the room is thoroughly reasonable and will not interfere to any extent with individual use, especially as most such group bookings would be in the early morning or in the evening.— I am, etc..

Neil M. Robertson.

(Abridged.)

Quiet Room Again

Sir,—In reply to "Law-is Livid," might I suggest that Mr Lewis and I all others concerned in this con troversy, acquaint themselves with the history of the "Quiet Reading Room" and the regulations governing its use. This should clear up the present misunderstanding and prevent unnecessary ill-reeling.—I am, etc.,

Fair Go.

Christian Walk Out

Sir,—Criticism has been made that the Christians walked out of the S.G.M. when the Quiet Room issue arose. I am one of the Christians (including members of S.C.M., E.U. and C.S.G) who "walked out," not because I am a Christian, but because I am a student, and expect the Association to protect the rights of all its members.

No attempt had been made to give sufficient notice of the motion moved by Mr Lewis. Many would have been present had they been aware that the Quiet Room Issue would come up. Also the lateness of the hour and the general state of mind of those present at that time would not have permitted a fair consideration of the motion.

It Is unfortunate that most of those who "walked out" did not realise that the motion could (and should) have been ruled out on a point of order. Under the circumstances, the most appropriate action was to "walk out" and remove the quorum. These are the reasons for the exit of so many at the S.G.M. I am. etc.,

"Point of Order."

The not very Quiet Room

Digging through various musty archives and files, Salient's reporter found the Quiet Room History had followed something of this pattern.

1954. Stud. Assn. proposed "... a quiet reading room of approximately 250 square feet. This room could also be used for meetings of the Religious Clubs."

1954-58. Various moves by clubs and individuals to get a commitment for a Quiet Room or a Devotions Room, or Chapel. Various non-committal and confusing statements by Exec. Salient Controversy develops.

1959. Joint letter to Students' Association by the Religious Clubs to 'secure a "Devotions Room."

1960. Exec. recommends to Student Union and Planning and Management Committees the provision of a Quiet Room for "Prayer, Devotion, and Study by Clubs and Individual Students." Quiet Reading Room suggested for this purpose.

1961. Further letter to Students' Association. Quiet Reading Room declared by House Committee to be for "Quiet, Prayer, and Thought." Also declared that room "... will be open for use by all individuals and groups who wish to use the room for the purposes outlined." Quiet Room committee formalised. Time limit of one hour declared for booking.

August, 1961. Someone sticks a restrictive notice on the Quiet Room Door. Wording not as approved by Exec. Mr Lewis objects.

September, 1961. S.G.M. Notice disappears.

Current Set-up

—D.P.