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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 30, No. 1. 1967.

Unfinancial post grads

page 14

Unfinancial post grads

Chris Robertson, Past President of VUWSA and chairman of the Committee on the Reorganisation of the Administrative Structure of the Students' Association. Chris declined to comment when asked for his reaction to the Executive decision not to accept all his recommendations.

Chris Robertson, Past President of VUWSA and chairman of the Committee on the Reorganisation of the Administrative Structure of the Students' Association. Chris declined to comment when asked for his reaction to the Executive decision not to accept all his recommendations.

Over 20,000 self - financed students studying in Britain will be in dire financial straits because the British Government has abolished subsidies for overseas students.

Fees will be increased from £70 to £250; but in Oxford and Cambridge, fees will be increased to between £350 and £390 per year.

At present the New Zealand University Grants Committee (UGC) pays a postgraduate scholarship allowance of £650 per year.

This is meant to cover tui-tion costs, board, books and other sundry costs.

Even at £650 most New Zealand students in Britain, required some private financial support.

Last year the Victoria University Council pressed the UGC for an increase of £200 in the Post Graduate Scholarship.

Although the UGC has granted an increase, up to £200 for NZ Post Graduate scholars studying in Britain a spokesman for the UGC says "no general increase has been considered."

The increases are to cover the higher fees but are unlikely to be adequate for Oxford and Cambridge where fees are to be over £350.

The British National Union of students has expressed fears that foreign governments may retaliate against British students because of the action by their government.

Increase pressed

Since the fee increase was announced pressure groups have been active.

Most university senates or vice-chancellors have criticised the increase, and some student bodies have even decided to stage one-day boycotts of lectures.

The Principal of an Oxford College has called the measures "financial apartheid."

On February 1. a huge protest meeting organised by the National Union of Students (NUS) was held in London, and the next day 3500 students marched to the House of Commons to lobby MPs.

In Scotland. MPs (including Jo Grimond, former leader; of the Liberal Party) are helping the Scottish Union of Students oppose the fees increase.

The storm in Scotland is perhaps greater than anywhere else because there are more than 2.150 overseas students at Scottish universities, and about 1,850 more at other institutions.

Despite growing opposition the Minister of State for Education, Antony Crosland, is standing firm.

However the NUS is in a strong position and even had the minister to one of their Council meetings, to try and "negotiate."

The House of Commons has agreed to debate the fees increase shortly.