The Teachers...

In a special interview given to an NZSPA reporter after the Winter Council debate on the issue. Wellington Teachers College representative, O'Regan, advocated the formation of a National Union of Students on the British model. This could cover University students, Teachers College students, and students at Polytechnics. Pharmaceutical Schools and other institutions of tertiary education, said Mr. O'Regan. Groups such as nurses could perhaps have associate membership.

All students in these institutions had interests in common, Mr. O'Regan claimed, and should therefore seek to work together. At present, however, education in New Zealand was fragmented, he said, and the Government was able to play the various groups off against each other. Student unity could help put an end to this.

Asked whether a National Union of students would tend to be dominated by University students, O'Regan conceded that this might tend to be so at least at first. However, with a threeyear training course for teachers and the rapid expansion of student numbers in other tertiary institutions, the situation would arise where University students did not have it all their own way.

The form of the British National Union of students, suitably adapted for New Zealand conditions, was the pattern to be followed claimed O'Regan. It had been outstandingly successful and, for instance, had direct representation on six standing committees of the British House of Commons. However, the principle of a National Union of students was more important than the administrative details at this stage, said O'Regan. University and Training Colleges should not isolate themselves from other forms of tertiary education.