The Ethics of Racism

It has become fashionable for tour supporters to claim glibly "I don't believe in mixing politics and sport". This claim has sent many anti-tour people (including Hart) into a frenzy of activity to try and justify "politics in sport".

It seems to me that the "politics in sport" phrase has been a very effective red-herring designed by some clever friend of South Africa (white, that is) to distract the anti-tour movement from the real issue: ethics in sport The South African cult of Apartheid is based on a religious belief (of early Dutch protestant origin) of god-given racial superiority — similar to, but less sophisticated than, the foundations of Nazism. For the white South African racial oppression and slavery are thus morally justifiable. For most of the rest of the world (including us?) they are not. The real question about the tour is: what place does ethics have in sport?

D.L. Atmore.

Whose House is Worse?

The suggestion by Student Movement Onlooker that NZUSA should investigate the Malaysian Issue is a "Big Joke"

NZUSA has been "Desperately" trying to elect a President for next year, and to be involved in petty quarrels of these kinds is nothing more than a farce!

For God sake, suggest something feasible.

T. Chua.

MSAMSSA Not on

For the past five weeks I have been following with great interest the big debate in Salient — Attacks, reprisals all nothing short of verbosity and ignorance of a small number of Malaysian writers. I had no intention at all, to add my own chapter for a spill of emotion and hostile words could do more harm than good. On the other hand mere silence on the part of MSSA may, to some be indicative of their guilt of forsaking their basic principles and philosophy. It is high time I put the record straight.

It is true, there has been some talk among the MSA and MSSA leaders about cooperation between the two associations. It is Not true that there was talk about a merger. Such a merger contravenes the basic philosophy of MSSA — an independent body free from government intervention and subscribing to the spirit of NZUSA and VUWSA constitution only.

It is abundantly clear that 'Student movement onlooker' is not prepared to see a united Malaysian and Singaporean community at Vic.

I cannot see how my article 'The Only Way' proves that the MSSA leaders are willing to surrender. Surely 'Student movement Onlooker' is living in a blissful state of ignorance not caring to read the article in full. For the article merely sets out the issues that confront the Malaysian people in achieving national unity, the obstacles the Razak clique are endeavouring to overcome, which as I pointed out, are not that easy for at least another twenty years. I suggest 'Student Movement Onlooker' read it once again — he may be surprised to discover it further emphasis on the political philosophy of MSSA in a rather radical mood.

Till Death do us Part

The controversy over the MSA/MSSA issue is actually a non-controversy. The real issue seems to be rather an attack on the Malaysian Govt and its activities and policies.

Two major points seem to arise from the letters that have been published. (1) MSA is a tool of the Malaysian Govt, i.e. under its control (2) there are 'spies' on campus who are reporting the activities of Malaysian students to the Malaysian Govt.

1.

Is MSA controlled by the Malaysian Govt a matter of fact? May I suggest that those who allege it is attend the MSA Committee meetings and look into its books. There does not appear to be any clause in the MSA constitution prohibiting observers to the Committee meetings as well as to look into the books of MSA. The question is, "Are you really concerned? Or as you just attacking the Malaysian Govt. using MSA as a scape goat?"

2.

If there are 'spies' on campus working for the Malaysian Govt, they are by definition difficult to detect. Witness the earlier meeting this year held in the student union to find out if the N.Z Security police are on campus. It is fair to comment that the meeting reduced itself to the recitation of 'anecdotes' and this was admitted by Peter Cullen who himself also told a few anecdotes. If spies do exist on campus and in these days of the Black September Movement and that sort of thing an increase of security officers on campus might be expected, there is really nothing one can do except to pin them down and this is of course a most difficult task. Espionage and counterespionage is a real art.

However, there is at the moment actual armed [unclear: conflicts] (bang! bang!) in Northern Malaya and the borders of Sarawak between the Malaysian armed forces and fuck-wits who like to call themselves National Liberation fighters. In Sarawak, the battle sometimes take place in the towns, especially Sibu. This armed conflict (bang! bang!) is not just a joke. If anybody thinks it is not true, please read the Straits Times freely available in the Main Library. You don't have to run through many pages as an incident with the insurgents happens nearly every day. Furthermore, the Sarawak Tribune will give you more detailed accounts of the fighting in Sarawak, especially in the 3rd Division. The Sarawak Tribune is not available in the Main library but anyone interested will just have to call out and it will be handed to him for perusal. In the light of this, can one really blame the Malaysian Govt for having spies on campus?

It is our firm belief that many of those who have written to Salient opposing the Malaysian Govt, have great sympathies and ties to these National Liberation Fighters back home. Please study their letters carefully again.

I usually sign my real name in letters to you, Mr Editor. But this time I will not. The reason is because I know these freedom fighters i.e. have a license to kill and massacre i.e. have freedom to slit throats (please read Strait Times and Sarawak Tribune for details) Mean Business. If my name is revealed, you might not get another letter from me.

Thank you Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

Peace Loving Malaysian.

An Open Note to the Editor of the MSSA Critique.

I do not claim to be a veteran reader of your MSSA Critique, but having successively read three issues of your magazine, I have felt moved to burst into print for the first time.

While it may be worthwhile having a magazine of such a nature for it seems to serve as a "forum" catering for a section of the zealous Malaysian students, it is nevertheless a bit "mishandled". Indeed, some of your articles have "stood up, bold and brave," yet I find in reading them that there is a synthesis of very scanty seriousness, albeit there is in effect an undue superfluity of, inter alia, wisecrack and waffle.

It may be ideal too, to present facts and views of "home politics" to the Malaysian students who are concerned about the well being of the country, but I doubt if the manner of comment and criticism so adopted in your magazine can achieve any favourable reciprocal ends. Politics may be dirty or unsanctified, but in criticising or commenting on it, there should be a certain objective standard of judgement for without which it could sometimes be quite unacceptable or inconvinceable.

We are tired of being fed with grudging and resentful "home-news-and home-politics" stuff all the time, but to say this does not neccessarily mean that we should sit back and adopt the "ostrich policy" We accept the fact that we shoul that "home-life" is not all roses, but our doom is not sealed too. "Revolution" is only the talk of the "riff-raff" and "lunatic" nowadays; reformation within the system itself may prove to be feasible.

I sincerely hope that in your yet-to-come issues, an attitude of "fair comment" will be adopted when analysing "home-politics" so as to give us a sense of balance-a 50-50 treatment of both sides of the story. Pure virulent attack without constructive suggestions or actions is always more harm than good. Articles of the "monstrous, muddle-headed, pridefully aggressive, immorally jingoistic substance or element" should best be avoided. Indeed, "The Rape of the Lock" may have opened the flood-gate of the "real instigators or abettors" who could have irresponsibly led us to the subsequent, wider racial dissonance, and if this is what your magazine is intended, then, I am afraid that the rape is being committed with a degree of callousness and cruelty that may well have shaken the sensibility. Would it were left to rest in peace.

Stephen Chai.

The Cycloptic Secretary

It is hoped that the Business Administration Dept, will get rid of that secretary. If they don't get rid of her they had better give her the message that the Business Administration Dept, employs a secretary to aid students, not students to aid the secretary. Removal of all those stupid little notices of "do's and don'ts" at the door would do a lot to help in this matter.

Ulysses.

National Youth Training Camps

Allow me to use your columns to offer advice to any students considering one or more years of teacher training.

Training Colleges are conservative. Depending on your orientation you might say "good", "all the more reason to avoid them", or "all the more reason my going there". Our advice is for those in the last category.

If you really want to get into a training college don't give the recruitment officer or selection panel any reason to suspect you are unwilling to take shit lying down. Keep quiet about your involvement in Hart, COV, CND and other effete, radic-lib organizations, at least until you have written confirmation of acceptance. Neither is it wise to voice ideas about progressive or even liberal education. Save these ideas for reactionary lecturers and fellow students.

Don't be shy in seeking further advice from us who have gone before you. Many T.C. graduates will be only too glad to help you attempt to put these institutions back in touch with reality.

The Three R's.