NZ to observe IUS

NZSPA — Tony Jaques

Nzusa Will seek observer status in the Communist dominated International Union of Students (Ius) and may attend IUS Congress in the future.

Membership of the IUS will provide NZUSA with the opportunity to exchange neutral and Communist countries outside the non-Communist International Student Conference (ISC) to which NZUSA already belongs.

This decision, based on a policy motion at Easter Council and passed at Winter Council, recognises that the IUS includes many organisations which do not truly represent the students of their country, and also that policies adopted have always conformed with the official Soviet policy, but the need to actively pursue world student unity 'was considered to be above ideological considerations.

"Observer status will merely indicate that we are interested in finding out what is going on at the Congress." said International Affairs Commission Chairman David Shand. "But we do not intend pursuing higher status as this would involve ratification of the IUS charter."

John McGrath, who was unable to accept an invitation to visit the IUS Headquarters in Prague during his recent trip to Russia said. "They are interested in NZUSA. but not interested enough to make a financial grant as I believe they have made to other countries applying for observer status."

Speaking strongly in favour of the proposal, he said. It will be an important step towards further decreasing the chance of prejudice and ignorance between student bodies."

There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about and that is not being talked about—Wilde.

Property has its duties as well as its rights—Thomas Drummond.