by Frances Lipson

Your president, Armour Mitchell, is a man of many talents. Twenty-four-year-old son of a Hastings minister, atheist, title-holder of the N.Z.U. drinking horn, Mitch has completed a B.Sc. degree in Maths. He is now studying commerce. "I took six years to complete the degree," he said with a grimace.

His interests have now turned to commerce, and he will pursue them. To Armour Mitchell any knowledge is useful.

His energies are mainly centred around university affairs. But he finds an outlet in reading science fiction, and occasionally, a Carter Brown. In answer to my raised eyebrows, he explained, almost apologetically, that he reads merely for relaxation.

His musical taste inclines towards Dave Brubeck.

On controversial matters, Mitchell was cautious. Politically he has no leanings. He Is neither strongly Labour or National, rather—"in the middle". However, to my question, he answered that he thought extremist opinions amongst students desirable. They afforded opportunity for discussion, helped the indifferent student to become politically conscious, and to form his own opinions. When asked about his future, Mitch spoke of having political ambitions, but "in-the-middle Mitch" will have to decide which party is worthy of his support (or maybe which one would give him a better chance). He would not say anything else on the subject, except that there was scarcely any correlation between ambition and fate. He is a fatalist, and does not believe in God.

Mitch a Conformist?

When asked whether he considered himself a conformist, or allowed his actions to be swayed by public opinion, Mitchell became visibly more cautious. On smaller issues, where principles were not of paramount importance, he would do his utmost to keep harmonious relationships. It was important to retain a distinction between pride and principles — but whenever he felt strongly enough about any matter, public opinion would never affect his actions. Casually, almost parenthetically, he mentioned that the element of surprise often gained him a decided advantage.

Armour Mitchell is not standing for reflection to the presidency of the V.U.W. Students' Association. He said that he had enjoyed the administrative work and meeting people. Now he felt that he should give way to a younger student.

It was the impression of this reporter that Mitch just might have his weather-eye open for bigger things. The V.U.W.S.A. presidency had been a challenging position itself, but was it merely a stepping stone?

Advice to Freshers

Mitchell had some sound advice to offer freshers. "Look out for that apparent leisure." Elaborating, he said he thought that first year students were deceived by the amount of time they had to themselves, and crashed in examinations, having failed to utilise that time effectively.

For several years Mitch was a prominent if somewhat unstable member of that venerable male institution Weir House. His stunts at capping week were known far and wide. The most memorable one involved a smoke bomb explosion in one or the city's more pretentious picture houses. Mitch's expertise in the art of drinking is a result of his early tutoring at Weir, according to some.

His Philosophy

The answer to my last question took long in coming, and it was typical of the man sitting opposite me. It was careful diplomatic and although not startling or even particularly original, it was, I thought, wise.

"I try to do what is rationally correct under the circumstances. I realise one cannot rationalise everything In life, but one must have a regular guide on which to pattern one's behaviour. One of my greatest principles is to serve those who employ me to the best of my ability. If a job is to be done, it must be done well."

My question? "What is your philosophy of life?"