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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 27, No. 11. 1964.

Teachers' Colleges To Join NZUSA?

Teachers' Colleges To Join NZUSA?

NZSPA: At the latest meeting of the Resident Executive M. J. Moriarty, NZUSA President, said he hoped to raise the matter of Teacher College inclusion in NZUSA with members of the existing council privately before the August meeting was held. Moriarty first raised the question of Training Colleges being incorporated in NZUSA's structure at the last President's meeting. Since then, there has been a reaction from Otago criticising the move. It is understood that Canterbury is also likely to be opposed, when the issue comes into the open at NZUSA Winter Council. He mentioned that there seemed to be an irrational prejudice between university and teacher college students, and he did not want the subject defeated at Council, before a worthwhile discussion developed.

Ex-Victoria President Blizard pointed out that by increasing the size of NZUSA, its political and pressure power would be increased, which would be of great advantage, for example, when making representations to the Government concerning Halls of Residence.

Resident Executive member, Pitchforth, who was dubbed by the meeting "devil's advocate," was opposed to the suggestion. He maintained that it would be wiser to keep the university student body separate, and suggested that a new body be formed, with membership from every school of tertiary education, to which university students could subscribe as well. Pitchforth feared that with the inclusion of Teacher trainees Council and Executive meetings would be disproportionately taken up with their problems.

President Moriarty spoke strongly against these objections. He claimed that student interests in general would not be distinguished in this way. There were many more problems common to all higher education students than 99 per cent of university students realised. Although many university students considered they had little in common with teacher trainees. This was merely prejudice. NZUSA needed to broaden its interests and its sphere of activity. Moriarty pointed out that as there were 5000 T.C. students and 20.000 university students, there need be little fear that university delegates would be dominated by T.C. delegates.

He stated further that the setting up of a separate body would add greatly to expenses of duplication in facilities and activities.

Most important, this separate body, being more representative than NZUSA. would provide the delegates to ISC, would send volunteers to work-camps. NZUSA would lose all its status. However, if these branches joined NZUSA, the organisation would be much strengthened. Moriarty said his opinion was confirmed after observing the activities of National Unions overseas.