Exec. Discusses Hostels, Bomb-tests

News Editor

With Easter Council drawing near, the Executive spent some time discussing recommendations to put forward to New Zealand University Students' Association at Massey. Remits are to be presented to the top student body for investigation and discussion.

The first remit from Cultural Affairs Officer Murray Rowlands, asked that the Council "support the Federation of Labour in its economic sanctions against the French by way of protest against their nuclear tests." Capping Controller David Baird found himself supporting Rowlands, and suggested that the students pressed the government for a break in diplomatic relations.

Treasurer Tom Robbins objected strongly to moral issues without a foundation in fact. "What effect," he asked, "will the tests have on New Zealand? Have you any scientific data?" Robin Bell (Public Relations) and Richard Smith (House Committee) promtly supplied a wealth of technical evidence which gained the remit majority support.

In the matter of increases in subsidy for hostels. Blizard felt that N.Z.U.S.A. had "considered" long enough, that "action should take the place of consideration." He pointed out that there was no subsidy for the purchase of land for Halls of Residence, which is one of the most significant cost factors, especially in Wellington and Christchurch.

Executive was reminded that both major political parlies had made election promises for subsidies. Bell concluded discussion by saying that the importance of Halls of Residence to the country's welfare should be made generally known as there was a lot of money involved.

Discussion ranged about the fact that N.Z.U.S.A. wasted too much time generally and spent too long on international affairs in particular. Baird felt that more work should be done for the New Zealand student. "Look after us first then the others". This was denied but Bell pointed to newspaper reports of meetings and the minutes of the meetings themselves.

Further criticisms were levelled at N.Z.U.S.A., chiefly that there was a tendency for Victoria to do the donkey work, as the H.Q. was in Wellington, and for the other I centres to do little more than contribute reluctant funds. N.Z.U.S.A. was failing in its main function as a mouthpiece to add force to student opinion.

Vice-President Bruce Middleton brought to the Executive's notice the fact that a Singapore girl wanting to attend V.U.W. had repeatedly been refused an entry permit into New Zealand despite inquiries from Roman Catholic authorities. Professor Buchanan and himself.

The girl has a degree at the Singapore university, which is not generally recognised, and wishes to obtain a N.Z. degree. No reason has been given for her exclusion, and it was felt that a bit of shunting could get the matter on to the Minister's desk.