Payments increased

Substantial increases have been made in the honoraria paid to the Association President and the Salient Editor.

In addition, a number of previously unpaid officers of the Association are now to receive payment.

These decisions were made at the Annual General Meeting on 6 April. A total of $3620 was allocated for payments.

The President's honorarium was increased from $400 to $1000 and the Salient Editor's scholarship was increased from $400 to $700.

In addition, $450 was allocated to the Salient Editor to distribute amongst his staff at his discretion provided that the way in which this sum is distributed must be accounted for to the Publications Board and the Editor himself does not receive any of the money.

Except for the President's honorarium, these amounts were as recommended by the Publications Review Committee.

There was some concern expressed as to the total amount of the honoraria. The meeting recognised though, that generally each amount could not be begrudged.

Mr G. Curry said that as the Executive had been pruned and as the nature of the Association had undergone radical change over a short period, the position of President required an incentive because of the heavy workload.

"It would be a shame to exclude students because of lack of finance," he said.

Mr Curry said that to have a student as president was the most desirable of any alternative and that the student body would probably have to start thinking in terms of a full-time president with a bursary replacement or substitution. "As it was the full amount of $800 was fully justified," he said.

It was pointed out by Mr Grocott, NZUSA President, that $800 was the same amount as the honorarium of the Waikato President.

After being asked from the floor to justify the hours the president put into student affairs, Mr van der Schaaf moved that $800 be deleted and $1000 be substituted.

The amendment and the substantive motion were carried unanimously.

The tbin blue line

Bob Joiner