Whitcoulls Booksellers are at the centre of a row brewing at Wellington Teachers Training College. It seems that Whitcoulls are not just satisfied with their captive audience of T.Coll students. They been helped by a willing College Administration acting as debt collectors. Students at Karori are indicating, in no uncertain terms, that they are unhappy about the situation.

At a meeting of the Association on Monday, March 28, the President of the Association, Audrey Young, outlined briefly the facts of the 'Whitcoulls Affair.'

• Whitcoulls drew up a list of 60 students who hadn't paid their bills. Whitcoulls then sent copies of the letter to Wilbur Manins, College Dean.
• Manins approached the students concerned, and pointed out that money was owed, despite the fact that it was none of his business.
• He then published a list of the ten worst offenders in the confidential staff bulletin, accompanied by the following introduction:

"Whitcoulls have informed us that they are unable to extend any further credit to the following students because of their previous credit record with Whitcoulls. When making purchases from Whitcoulls they are required to be made on a cash basis. This information might have some significance for the library, the resource centre and staff who are in the habit of lending out materials."

The irony was that some of the students had paid their bills before the list was published.

Manins, who attended the meeting briefly, stated that he was justified in taking this course of action. After all, how could he stand idly by, when the actions of a small number of students would jeopardise the wonderful credit service that Whitcoulls were offering to students out of the goodness of their hearts.

Members of the audience, however, pointed out that firstly, Whitcoulls were in the business of making money out of students who had to have books, and secondly, that the relationship between Whitcoulls and any student was a private matter.

Manins was then asked two questions: would he publish an apology in the Staff Bulletin to the students concerned, and would he write to Whitcoulls and advise them that in future they should do their own debt collecting.

Manins would not agree to these requests, but stated instead that he would give more thought to the matter if the situation arose again. This statement drew an angry reaction from the audience, and the remainder of the meeting was spent in looking at ways to repair the immediate damage, and to prevent the sordid affair happening again.

The Main Point.

There is no doubt that Manin's actions were unjustifiable, and he should be severely rapped over the knuckles by both staff and students for his actions. After all, it's none of his business whether students owe money to Whitcoulls, the S.P.C.A. or the Association for Left Handed Typists.

However, there is a more important principle at stake. Whitcoulls, who started the ball rolling, has used the administration to pressure students into paying their debts. The reason for this is quite obvious Whitcoulls is not only assured of a guaranteed profit every year, but has taken steps to eradicate any risk factor that their line of business may involve. The result is twofold.

Firstly, Whitcoulls, who have no real interest in the affairs of students, stash away a tidy sum each year. For 1976, that figure was $54,835. In return, they pay 6% of sales as rent, reduced from 10% in 1975 because they claimed, they weren't making enough profit. Secondly, students who have no real alternative but to shop at Whitcoulls, either pay up or risk having their dirty linen displayed in the staff-room.

It is high time that the whole question of the Whitcoulls monopoly on books is looked at closely. There are indications that students are dissatisfied with the service that Whitcoulls offers. Students have no direct say in what books should or should not be stocked, and lecturers, acting as salesmen for Whitcoulls, are convincing students to buy books that are rarely used.

Victoria University vs. Whitcoulls.

For a number of years, both academic staff and students at Victoria had complained about the service offered by Whitcoulls. And, as they held at that time, a virtual monopoly on university texts, they were not compelled by the capitalist laws of competition to better the service. The University bookshop in Mount St, which was the only real competitor to Whitcoulls, indicated to the Students' Association that they were being forced to sell. Whitcoulls moved fast and offered to buy the shop in partnership with the Association. It soon became obvious that such a deal would work heavily in favour of Whitcoulls, so the Association bought the shop outright. There were obviously problems associated with this venture: purchasing buildings, accurately ordering books, and paying and keeping of staff during the summer holidays.

However, the venture has its merits. The most obvious one is that students will get the benefit of the profits, in the form of better students facilities etc.

The implications of this scheme for training college are clear. Firstly, a shop is already available, which removes the initial problem of purchasing premises. Secondly, a sum of around $28,000 has been discovered in a bookshop account, the result of accumulated rent paid in by Whitcoulls over the year. This money is apparently to be used by a committee of staff, students and council for their mutual benefit. It is possible that part of this money could be used to set up a bookshop similar to the one owned by Victoria University.

Solutions.

The letter should also point out that alternatives are being discussed, and that a repeat of this incident could lead to a sharp reduction in the value of Whitcoulls' shares.

At the same lime, students could discuss the possibility of boycotting the shop if this situation occurs again.

But more importantly, initial discussion? could begin over the possibility of setting up a co-operative bookshop, similar to, or in partnership with, the bookshop at varsity. In this way, any profit could be re-invested into the association, instead of being used to line the pockets of businessmen downtown.

In any event, students must ensure that the 'Whitcoulls Affair' is knocked on the head once and for all. Who knows? You might be the next on the blacklist. . . . . . . .