Issue of racism revived

Sir—I write more in the name of justice than having been offended ad an African, This is with reference to Mr. Rujaya Abhakorn's letter under the heading of 'no sympathy' published in the Salient of 30/7/68. Mr Abhakorn has been reasonably critical of Mr Kellys articles on Asian and Indian students. It is presumed that Kelly in his research (note well Abhakorn that study is made up of research) has observed the Asia and African students but he made no comments on the latter, Are we to infer that Kelly connot distinguish betwen and brown? Abhakorn deplored Kelly 's inability to express himself precisely but he so misunderstood Kelly as to accuse him of keeping the African "in the depth of human existence". The point at issue for Abhakorn as an Asian was to admit or refute Kelly's views about the Asian Indian students. In order to tow the Asian side it is dismally unbecoming to cast aspersion on the African.

Let us take the most absurd and illogical part of Abhakorn's letter—"Again and again we hear these moans over African in gratitude coming from European conservatives who still regret the hey-days (hay days) of white imperialism. Mr Kelly obviously doesn't want to repeat their mistake, so he determines to keep the inferior races where he thinks they rightly belong "in the depth of human existence". It can be asked by what power or force or according to what criterion has the African been consigned in the depth of human existence. Could the African alone be ungrateful to the European conservatives when one is reminded of the fact than an Asian has also been under white imperialism? Abhakorn has lost the right to criticise Kelly because he has fallen into a deeper racial hatred than Kelly whom he accused of being a Wallace or at best a Powell. Haven't we learnt that those who live in glass houses should not throw stones? The bigoted insinuation of Abhakon of the inferior races is enough to justify Kelly's use of the word arrogance as regards him. For what in the name of fairness to the African must Abhakorn write thus? Does he not remember that neither the Asian nor the African is "rich, powerful and creator of civilisation", to quote a sociologist whose name I am unable to remember. In the name of honesty the Asian and the African are fellow travellers in the depth of human existence and it is assumed that the African can be treading on the Asian in the abyss of human existence.

May I state that I am not the least bothered by racial superiority or inferiority for every race is somehow superior even on a modest scale in their loyalty. So dear Abhakorn you can term me by whatever name that satisfies your blatantly sophisticated racial inclinations. But be warned and very well too that racialism is one of the evil challanges of our times and it behoves on all men and women of understanding and breadth of vision to suppress the evil forces and advance the good ones. You have ignorantly perpetuated the reverse and therefore I pity you.

I am etc.,

David Komma,

The Gambia, West Africa.

N.B. Regrets to my many Asian acquaintances.—D.K.

Is God moral?

Sir—It is unfortunate that Mrs Belding, in her critique of the Death of God movement, has only considered the most extreme positions that have been taken in the controversy. Is it really impossible that one can deny the existence of God and still claim that the human condition creates its own morality? Is it contradictory that one can believe in the existence of God as creator and life-force and yet reject the moral doctrines of organised religion?

Mrs Belding admits that "man … is intrinsically and inescapably a moral creature", but clearly she prefers to view God rather than man as the source of our moral condition. The only reasonable validity in such a claim would be thai it is more convenient to accept religious standards of 'authenticity' than those of society or those of philosophical creation.

Surely it is human effort, both religious and secular, that has been responsible for the development of the traditional ethical and moral system under which man may live peacefully and fruitfully with his neighbours. Whether the builders of our commonly accepted moral foundations believed themselves to be guided by God is irrelevant in this context— what must be admitted is that rationally, morality,. freedom and meanig all exist for man and by dint of human creation. This isn't to deny the existence of God— to my mind this is contiguous with the existence of life Nevertheless, it is a long hop from theism to the divinity and inescapability of religious morality, and one which Mrs Belding would do well to reconsider before affirming it as a logical necessity.

Yours etc.,

Mike Silver.

Kedgley found unappealing

Sir—If it had not been for Sue Kedgley's face printed large on the Women's Page of the Evening Post, Sept, 4, I would never have known that she had once again expressed her−so touching— community conscience. Wonder and amazement struck me as I read the exposition of scribbled nonsense printed beneath the photo.

In order to raise money for the Halls of Residence appeal it was necessary to "dispel the illusion" existing in the public consciousness that "the student community" consists of nothing but those terrible types who demonstrated their discontent with the government, unemployment, the Vietnam war etc, outside Parliament on July 26. Indeed, these students are but a "small section", not much more than 400. Just to prove that the minority is always wrong, Miss Kedgley has organised another group of no less than 100 students to assist in house to house collection for the Appeal. Pitiful indeed is the response of those students who "care", it is a wretched nothing compared with the spontaneous demonstration of student militancy that took place on July 26. I can only wonder what prompts Miss Kedgley and the 100 other dressed-up individuals that she has enlisted to imagine that they represent "the student community" any more than do the 400 militants.

Perhaps it is Miss Kedgley's appeal to conscience, humanity and reason. "We do care [oh, how much we care!] and we do want those halls of residence," she said. We care, and we want. We care for our image, and we want our halls of residence. We even care for our image "apart from wanting to raise money," she explained, altruistically.

But don't worry Miss Kedgley, the public won't need to be given any good reasons. All that is required is what you and no doubt your camel-haired troopers as well, can so ably provide. Just present the facile, grinning, cretinism that our charity-conscious bourgeois citizenry so deeply craves, and you will most surely get all the money you want.

Yours sincerely,

Wedder bitten

Sir—Allow me to join the pack of "mongrel dogs yapping around the heels of a thoroughbred horse" P. J. Wedderspoon.

Undoubtedly the unbalanced flailings of our comic friend scarcely warrant consideration, let alone the effort of reply: however, when one's intelligence in constantly assailed by barrages of blatant lies, the need to protest becomes strongly felt. To this end, I would like to take issue with the four points P. J. W. makes in his letter of last Salient: It is time that the vicious nature of his references, and the stream of constant lies, were challenged.

1. On a number of occasions early this year, Wedderspoon claimed in front of a number of witnesses that the National Party did financially assist his campagin in Palmerston North.

2. At a number of forums in 1967, he referred to his imoginary court-martial, and constantly told tales of his mythical incarceration. (These interspersed with stories of his legendary adventures with the army in Malaya.)

3. Throughout '67 he had decided difficulty in remembering whether he was a Jew, or indeed a Catholic. On occasions he laid claim to both.

4. When the Minister for Defence (Thomson) spoke at Varsity in '67, Wedderspoon was shouted down (even by the lefties) following an abusive question. He did, however, clearly get across the phrase, "sabrerattling fascists" (directed at Thomson).

One must feel sorry for Paul: he is not worth the controversy he provokes. I feel sure that if he would moderate his blatant lying and his vicious attacks on others, the community would accept him in his true role as political jester, and tolerate (perhaps with interest) what promises to be an amusingly colourful career.

Yours,

King-size balls

Sir—With mention to an ad in Salient 10/9/68, concerning catering for balls, my company, Most Unusual Products Ltd., cater to all styles and tastes. We invite all students to inspect the selection of top quality lines just arrived in our showrooms. In addition to the ever-popular blackballs and eye balls our switched on collection includes:— liquid lightning balls more miles per gallon balls (the latest thing overseas) so kind to your hands balls balls with a delightful fragrance too no-waste nonslip balls balls that do the same job in only half the time new refillable plastic squeeze pack balls giant white tornado balls cheaper! cheaper! cheaper balls super stainless cutting edge filter tip king size balls non-iron drip-dry balls you can make it by yourself balls balls and chain and just plain Balls!

Be In While Stocks Last. Save! Buy In Bulk.

Oh what a lovely halls-up.

Louise Follick.

Fritz's policy anti-student

Sir—Recently I went to purchase an article from the shop in the cafeteria in the Student Union Building. The male shop assistant refused to give me the article before I gave him the money and I refused to give him my money before being handed the article. In answer to questioning he said, "this is now the policy of the shop", i.e, to take the money before handing the customer the goods.

I wish to question the value of this new system (and it appears new, as this has never happened to me before), as it is based on a mistrust of the customer and is therefore, a reflection on the character of students in this university.

In addition, this new system equates the shop with vending machines.

I would much rather see the shop automated than continue to have my character judged by a particular spectacled gentleman shop assistant.

Yours faithfully.

The Pope is an oral contraceptive

Sir—The debate "That the Pope is a Pill" raises a vexing theological question. If the Pope is a Pill, under what circumstances is it morally lawful to swallow the Pope?

P. Dunmore.

Randy Andy

Sir—In the depths of another crushing and demoralising defeat at the polls I feel moved to pen this great epistle.

Of Curry little useful can be said other than that he has already invested his $400 honorarium in shares of Dominion Breweries.

To the two hundred odd misguided individuals that voted for Peretz—you at least have the consolation of having voted for a three time loser too.

To the two hundred odd— extremely odd students that voted for Dan Bradshaw, take heart! Dan is rumoured to have overcome his post-election suicidal tendencies and is reported to be planning an active year as Deputy Social Controller.

As for the odds and ends that voted for Mowbray and McSporran—well at least you voted.

But what about THE candidate? What happened to Devon Biggs? Here we had the ideal presidential candidate—ultra conservative, pro-Vietnam and ultra irresponsible. A few week's prior to the election Devon said to me "Andy you old fox—how about standing for President and taking votes away from those Law faculty bastards so I can get in." Well this was too good an opportunity to miss—the chance of getting a President with personality, purpose, poise and a policy to boot. The election results are now history but who will ever forget this monumental boob? Long after the great nightshirt blunder is forgotten, when certain Exec, members no longer whisper about the Omega catering catastrophe and when that great old political campaigner Randy Andy has crossed the great divide students will pause and reflect on the Biggs administration that never was. A loss only to be exceeded if Bullshit Castle was ever to be annexed by the Chatham Islands. Oh tragedy!

To those 207 intellectual greats and assorted geniuses that placed their trust in me—you will not be forgotten. As I leave these hallowed halls, enriched by all that is good and holy, I will pause in my new job as Publicity Manager for the Apple and Pear Marketing Board and think of you with tears (crocodile) in my eves and a case of apples in my hands.

"Full many an apple is born to fruit unseen,

And waste its sweetness on the desert air."

Andy Easton.