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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 7. 1966.

• General Affairs

General Affairs

Following an appeal lodged by the previous executive against the raise in transport fares by the City Council the association was successful in having the price of concession fares on the cable car reduced. This was a benefit to all Wellington residents, and the subsequent operating profit on the cable car for the last financial year, in spite of the reduction of passengers, showed that the reduction was well justified. Students at varsity and training college still continue to be major users of the cable car and queues at peak hours tend to indicate a necessity for some modernisation.

Charity Appeals

Students have in appeals round the university this year contributed to the Foundation for the Blind. South Africa student bursary fund and the Indian Famine Relief Fund to the extent of Just on £600. Very creditable was the £380 raised for the Famine appeal.

Orientation

This was organised on a much larger scale this year, and the success of the additional activities was pleasing to those who spent so much time on detailed planning over many months.

ID Cards

Administrative problems plus the tendency for false information to be used caused the discontinuing of the photo ID cards. With the introduction of the addressograph library cards by the library, the association made representations to have this made a general ID card. This has occurred, and the one card plus the addition of a year sticker after 1966 will be valid for a student's full term at varsity.

Concessions

Following a rather hesitant start, progress has been made in this field, and an increasing list of concessions to students is now available.

Forum

This safety valve of university life has contiuued to function effectively, and there are current moves afoot to provide a permanent constitutional basis.

Election inquiry

Following irregularities in this year's presidential elections the executive set up an autonomous commission of inquiry, to report back on the result and to make suggestions for changes in election procedure. Considering the inadequacies of the constitution it is somewhat of a marvel that any executive has been elected in recent years.

Reorganisation of administration

Preliminary ground work has been carried out with a major overhaul of the financial side of the association, which though not yet complete has at least made some progress towards a more efficient administration of funds. Current proposals under consideration include a two-tiered association structure with the introduction of a student representative council, the main aim being to spread the work load of running the association and to provide an adequate training ground for future student leaders. Once the broad policy basis has been decided on, then the executive will be in a position to have the constitution redrafted. This is a very big project which has taken time to get moving, but if major plans ar to be considered it is only right that all possible aspects should have been considered and weighed as to their relevant merits within our own ways of life.

Old Members Association

Again, a major plan for the future which has gained favour within the executive and past members of the association. It is hoped that when future association structure is considered that this aspect can be incorporated to the overall benefit of students, past and present.

NZUSA

The national organisation has had a very busy year. However, at the moment under its first full-time president, programmes have had to be cut back due to the unfortunate financial position which eventuated during the past year. A great deal of time was spent by your executive in discussing some of the major changes which have eventuated. It is unfortunate that some of the results foreseen have arisen through lack of consultation, preparation and organisation.

As a result Victoria's contribution for the current year to national student organisations, will rise to over 6/- per head. This is not the place to discuss the why's and wherefores of NZUSA, but it is felt that unless some consolidation takes place soon, the national organisation is in danger of becoming more of a liability than an asset to students. All credit must go to Mr. Mountain, the new president, for his reconstruction to date. The damage done is not irreparable, but the severe loss in confidence will take some years of hard work and much revaluation to remove. Once again members of the association gave little encouragement and guidance to their executive on such matters, as was illustrated st the SGM last year when an opportunity was given for students to voice their views on the proposed full-time presidency. As students do vou really want an NZUSA? What do you want from NZUSA? If you want NZUSA how much are you prepared to pay for its services? Only when these Questions are answered will your executive really know what is needed and in what way long - term planning should be directed.