Backroom Bargain

Otago Reporter

What really did happen in that smoke-filled back room in Christ-church early on Easter Monday morning?

When Auckland President Tony Katavich led his delegation out and resigned from NZUSA at 2am because the other universities wouldn't trim the £3249 budget by another £1000, it seemed NZUSA would fall to pieces.

Yet, two hours later, Auckland came back and submitted like a lamb for no apparent reason.

What tumbled Katavich was an offer of help.

Informed sources told this reporter that three other universities, because Auckland had said it could not pay its full share, offered to lend her the difference between the budgeted levy and what Katavich was prepared to pay.

This was, however, apparently too much for "mighty" Auckland. Katavich went back to the meeting and agreed to pay.