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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 25, No. 9. 1962.

Kicked Out

Kicked Out

Clash of Opinion at A.G.M.

Clash of Opinion at A.G.M.

Peter O'Brien, immediate past Vice-President of V.U.W.S.A. holds head in amazement at the antics at the A.G.M. O'Brien, and next to him, former President Armour Mitchell, opposed vigorously the idea of "official" demonstrations.

Next on the cards was the motion, moved Magnusson, seconded Bromby:

That the Association has no-confidence in the Exec. Mr Magnusson and others spoke at length on the "subversive activities" of the Executive, of its "impudence", labelling it a "powerful but corrupt elite". In the minds of Mr Magnusson, and a number of others, the only worthwhile place for an Exec. of this calibre was "in the gutter".

Some students did not agree. Mr Peter O'Brien, Vice-President of V.U.W.S.A. tried to voice his opinion, was howled from the stage. Vowed O'Brien, "it's the last time I speak before a student body". President Mitchell, on rising, was greeted with hisses and boos, and in one half-hour on the stage, managed to utter about 10 coherent sentences. A usually successful swayer of student sympathies, Mitchell could not fight against this vociferous throng. The motion was ultimately put, and carried (to the accompaniment of tremendous applause).

So for the first time in 14 years, the Exec. has been ousted. Whether tactics and strategy on the part of the Exec. could have saved the day, is open to conjecture. It appears doubtful, however; for in the minds of a majority of students, the Exec. had to go, come what may. The action on the part of students at the S.G.M. has been designated "mob-like". Perhaps this is a little too strong. Nevertheless, it must be said, the majority of students went along to the meeting with their minds made up. The majority could not have cared less about demonstrating, fees, directives or words; It was there to railroad the issues, it was there not to think but to threaten.—Editor.