Candidate for Public Relations Officer, Frances Lipson was educated at Hutt Valley High School. She has represented Wellington at fencing and is a keen squash and tennis player. Serving on Salient as News Editor in 1963 she has subsequently been active in student affairs by serving on the Public Relations Committee, and as a committee member of the Political Science Society, a School Liaison Officer for the University, and a student-rapporteur at the recent Youth Forum.

She is in her third year doing a BA, LLB degree, majoring in Political Science and International Politics. Interested especially in student accommodation, she hopes to revive interest in student activity among all sections of the community.

Public relations is this university's perennial problem. Some picture of student responsibility and enthusiasm must be impressed on the city authorities while retaining the important individuality of the students' role in the community.

Newspaper Relations

A sympathetic contact must be established with the city newspapers. Considerable damage has been done to City-University relations because of overwhelmingly bad publicity.

School-University Liaison

While touring schools this year liaising for the university, I discovered that a most inadequate liaison system is now in practice.

School students are sadly ill-informed about university life. They know alarmingly little about the possibility of study in fresh topics (eg political science, education, psychology, philosophy, etc.). They are unaware of student facilities, of the Students' Association, and of club and cultural activities. It is of great importance that Vic Liaison Officers modernise their methods, and encourage students to widen their field of education and stimulate their interest in student affairs.

Furthermore, provision for senior school groups to visit the university and gain first-hand knowledge of university and student affairs must be encouraged.

Concessions

University expenditure in the city is large. It is my plan to approach leading retailers in the city and fight for student concessions, similar to the scheme organised for the Public Service. One particular instance for which concessions should be gained is the cable car, whose volume of passengers is largely composed of students.

Charities

Last year, in excess of £250 was gathered for the Basutoland Students' Appeal in two days. If every student would voluntarily contribute 6d a month. £100 could be gathered monthly for a deserving charity in the city. Furthermore, an all-day collection during Capping is essential, and permission for this will be won. We are being bested by every other university in this field.

Club Activity

Adequate facilities must be provided for clubs' activity. Dozens of events are held every year on the campus which are of immediate interest to the public. This year every facility for advertising will be exhibited to the full.

Accommodation

Student accommodation is an immediate and pressing problem. Instant and powerful representations must be made to the Government (indeed to any authority which can provide powerful pressure groups and financial support). It seems that New Zealand students need these facilities urgently. No effort will be spared to secure any possible aid to remedy the situation.

Immigration

I should like to accept a challenge from Mr. Parsonage (Assistant Secretary of Labour) at a recent club meeting. The scheme would require the Executive to arrange accommodation and employment for an immigrant family. We are assured of entry visas. Investigations have demonstrated that this is a feasible plan, and would be of obvious advantage to Vic's public relations.