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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 25. October 4, 1976
Letters
Letters
Observing the MSA Contradictions
Dear Sir,
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I have been following with interest the recent MSA controversy. It is to be regretted that character assassination was indulged by pseudonyms such at "Tua Lam Pan", "TLK Cheong" etc. But one also bean in mind that the message they conveyed was very real and effective. It hit Loo Kim Hoe and the writer of the unsigned letter "The MSA Argument continues" so hard on the issue that they are trying to run away from as to warrant emotional outbursts from them.
So, editor, in the interests of all concerned, please publish a diversity of views but use your discretion.
Neutral Observer.
Flatmate wanted
Dear John,
Just a quick note to say thanks for yet another year of readable, relevant "Salients".
Just by the way, mind you, our flat needs another friendly "Salient" reader to join the flat - hopefully someone's who's prepared to slay on after the holidays.
The room a small, but the rent is reasonable. So if anyone is interested, give us a rign on 728-138 or call round to 15 Glenbervie Terrace, Thorndon.
Yours in Agape,
the people who live there,p.s. Potential Rock Reviewer's or 'Politico's" especially welcome.
p.p s. Former residents of Weir House, or at least those proud of their ancestry, will be actively discouraged.
VUW News a Waste of Money
Dear John,
I would like to ask the university if they could explain the expenditure on the publication, cum public relations (sic) exercise, "News VUW" when when library periodical subscriptions are being cut by 25%
This seemingly insane position of priorities is the university showing where its heart lies - certainly not with education!
Answers please,
Wallace Jones.
Editor Attacked for Film Review
Dear Salient,
John Ryall, who prides himself on objective reporting, has hit an all time low with his review of "All the Presidents Men".
How can anybody sit and pass such judgements as 'American Society is based at all levels on the use of money and power for personal ends', when he can't even get his facts straight?
What bloody film was he at? Well let's get things clear, Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, (two of the finest journalists ever, by the way), work for the Washington Post not the Washington Star!
If you had taken your dark glasses off John you might have got your facts right, yet you dare sit in your ivory tower and criticize. Shame on you!
Yours,
T. Ruth.
p.s. name us a socialist state that doesn't have some sort of power as its base difference is it's the power of elites!
I have never claimed to be objective something which "All the President's Men" does claim. I apologise for the typographical error with "Star" rather than "Post".
Perhaps if you had analysed my argument rather than doing the Salient proofreading we may have been able to progress in our understanding of the movie as an art form Ed.
Editor's Film Review Criticised
Dear Readers,
Dear John has mucked up in my opinion. His petty criticism of Warner Bros is irrelevant. Dear John states they are guilty of fostering the growth of cult figures. Yet he states "newspapers and magazines in every corner of the Western World have applauded the efforts of the Washington-Post". Surely John this is of more consequence in effect than a movie seen in a very limited timespan and by a comparatively limited audience.
Further, to go against the system especially at a time of election and point the finger at the leaden of the nation is a very brave thing to do.
Having personally witnessed this period of US history (living in the N.E. United States 1972-1973) I can say with a Little knowledge, experience and cautious authority that I can attempt to understand the incredible pressure on those two journalists concerned. One aspect exposed was their attention to detail - note well John it is the Washington Post, not Washington Star they work for.
Further, John claims that no where during the film do they explain what they are attempting to achieve.
I'm sure John, that after four years of publication and coverage in the media "in every corner of the western world" (that includes N.Z.John) that most seemingly astute individuals would have had the chance of realising for themselves just what had gone on. Or are you a product of a spoon feeding system of black and white instructions. For an editor, I'm amazed you are such an ignorant person.
Criticism of films are fair enough but to criticise any person who thinks differently is plain bloody biased.
I quote: "if anyone thought it was anything more, then you (apart from John) must be so far into the convulsions of the American Stale machine that you can't see the effects that its having on the real world". In other words, listen to the all mighty artehole himself.
The US "state machine" has done many had things, yet it also has and continues to underwrite a substantial proportion of all U.N. activities (currently 25%). When there is a world disaster, (take Nicaragua) who is there first with most aid. Not the Russian State machine, nor the Chinese.
What better effect on the real world than positive aid. Sure the US. state machine has had and probably still had distasteful aspects, but at least it has the ability to cleanse itselt without purges, bloodbaths and unnecessary loss of human life. Look at the facts John, not the opinion-based septic bullshit that guides your so obviously biased mind.
Dennis J. Hayden.
p.s. I'm sure in the interests of fair play and exposure of the truth, you will print my letter.
Thanks for your comments on my review Dennis. Unfortunately your concern for objectivity (I, myself never claimed to be unbiased, although I am concerned about developing a scientific analysis of any particular piece of art) is not manifest in your defence of U.S. imperialism in Nicaragua (your example). In fact the United States "aid" following the earthquake was conditional on that country re-establishing its capital city on a location favoured by the U.S.
In my review I did not question Woodward and Bernstein's bravery as I too know how difficult it is to take the Government on. But they have been used by many people, including Warner Brothers, to promote the idea that they radically shaped U.S. society. In fact, their action just [unclear: meant] that one crook was replaced with another. U.S. society still tramps on and the "cleansing" that you mention has done absolutely nothing to shape the role of the US state both at home and abroad - Ed.
Civil Liberties on the Line
Dear Sir,
| 1. | Trade Union Legislation as announced by Mr Cordon which severely restricts the rights of Trade Unions to pursue their legitimate activities as trade unionists. |
| 2. | The proposed 'Bikie' legislation to restirct the rights of motor cycle groups to congrugate and associate with each other. |
| 3. | The Prime Minister's letter of opposition to the statement of Mr Ian Shirley (Auckland Social Worker) on power and authority in Auckland. |
| 4. | The Immigration Department's opposition [unclear: to] overstayers and the active encouragement of neighbours to report on people they 'assume' to be overstayers. |
| 5. | Domestic Purposes Beneficiaries....the Minister of Social Welfare has been actively encouraging social workers and 'loyal' citizens to report on women suspected of living in de facto relationships while receiving domestic purposes benefits. |
| 6. | The Powles report on the SIS was commissioned by Mr Rowling and yet the Prime Minister refuses to allow Mr Rowling to see the report in it's entirety. There are three reports and Mr Muldoon has attached a number of conditions on Mr Rowling should he wish to see the unexpurgated reports. This attacks the basis of trust upon which the government and the leader of the opposition should operate - and also raises reasonable doubts about whether the public interest has or has not been secured by the report itself. |
| 7. | The National Government issued a number of regulations that were illegal notably the suspension of superannuation [unclear: payments] - as evidenced by the Chief Justice's decision against the government. |
| 8. | Despite the call for a public enquiry on police conduct at the Taumaranui incident when a member of the Mongrel Mob was shot to death by a policeman. It seems that the Government is unwilling to facilitate such an enquiry even though lawyers, pathologists, the Churches and Civil Liberties groups have called for one. |
| 9. | The current Government seems unwilling to allow dissenting groups to voice their opinions and have them listened to. Mr Muldoon identified all opponents of nuclear power in New Zealand and all opponents of nuclear ships visiting New Zealand as a "dissident minority unrepresentative of the nation as a whole". He also stated on the talk-back programme on nuclear testing that even if one million people signed the Campaign half million's petition, he and the government would not be swayed from their decision to allow nuclear ships to visit New Zealand. |
| 10. | Argumentum ad hominem seems to characterise the leadership style of the Prime Minister. He said of Abraham Ordia that he could "stew in his own juice". |
| 11. | He said of Citizens for Rowling that "I can not bring myself to think kindly of them, they are dupes and trendy lefties" and he has systematically discriminated against people who stood up in that campaign - e.g. Sir Jack Harris was asked to resign from the Tobacco Board, John Jeffries was asked to resign from Air NZ., Tony Neary was ousted from TV One, David Exel's contract with NZFP was terminated. Geoffrey Palmer has received no consultancy work from Government on legal questions relating to welfare and accident compensation etc. |
| 12. | Mr Muldoon denied National MP's the right to appear on Friday Conference on the All Black issue. |
| 13. | The Electricity Amendment Bill infringes on the privacy of individuals dwellings and confers the right to enter by authorised officials of the Electricity Department. This right of entry could be abused for political purposes and safeguards need to be built in e.g. mandatory declarations of intention to enter, or better still, magisterial warrants. |
| 14. | The persistent attacks on Press and Television. |
| 15. | Mr Gill's intention to tighten up the legislation on abortion before the Royal Commission reports to the house, makes a mockery of the Commission itself and the rights of individual New Zealanders to have their views considered seriously. |
| 16. | Sir Keith Holyoake refused entry to a North Korean delegation on a goodwill tour of Australia and New Zealand. |
| 17. | Repeal of Criminal Justice Amendments Bill - name suppression legislation - withdraws a right to anonymity for accused persons. |
| 18. | The Wanganui computer centre is now going to be connected to all other departments making it increasingly easy for information about individuals to be abused for political purposes. |
| 19. | The Governments threats to tenants of slate houses to keep the houses clean and tidy, or face eviction - another indication of intimidation. |
| 20. | Government by rumour - there has been a tendency for government to threaten groups within Government and outside, by leaking of public rumours e.g. the proposed reorganisation of broadcasting was an indication of this, when Mr Muldoon publicatly stated that he would not mind axing TV2 and that there was no way that an independent news programme could exist. |
— Paul Cauruthers.
Reviews Editor Gets His Rocks Off
Dear Salient,
Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Hee Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ho Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Har Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Tee Hee
Ben
I believe Katy Corner wrote this tetter in order to exploit a personal difference between the Rock Reviews Editor and myself - Ed.
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Cigarettes, Digits and Rectums
Dear Anti-Anti Smoker Lobby,
You not only had the audacity to have your petty, thoughtless views expressed in this hallowed paper, but you also signed 'A lady'. Well your nicatine addiction [unclear: was] not only affected your lungs but you're head too coz honey ou ain't no lady. Your comments exemplified the self-centred "couldn't give a fuck about the other dude" altitude of the insignificant little turds who are finally coming out of the woodwork over the Smoking Ban.
Is it too much to ask you not to smoke in the downstairs cafe and the TV Room or are yon the type of 'lady' who gets off on 'grooving' in the cafe all day and is so goddam boring that a cigarette is the only cover up you can think of.
Three areas in the whole of the University is not much to ask, as not only will it show that you have some concern for other people but it might also improve your health and save your money as well. Anyway the upstairs cafe is much nicer and there are 'spunkier' guys up there too, so you can puff to your hearts content.
You may also feel drawn next door on a Wednesday, by the magnetic personality of Gyles, and sit in on an SRC meeting (you can puff there too). There perhaps you may in between your 'arse' and 'butts' make some constructive criticism instead of wasting Salient space with your self-centred drivel.
Yours Accoff. 77
p.s. We don't need to pass a law to stop you from biting your nails. Put your digit up your rectum thrice daily and your habit will be cured.
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