Muldoon government gives reasons

The atmosphere at Council was relatively sympathetic for the idea of cuts in law student numbers because of the current penny-pinching trends of the Muldoon government. The cuts slid through easily in the wake of cut in Library services, conditions of staff, overseas students and of course the 15% effective cut in the STB.

The whole thing was made even easier by the glut of qualified lawyers at the moment (not that they notice it out at Petone or Otara). Law students should remember moves for wage cuts for law clerks were only just defeated a year or two ago and such a move could be repeated.

The natural harshness of the capitalist labour market, the tight-fist of the Muldoon government and the hierarchy of Victoria University are all appearing to act in unison — and its not law students who are reaping the benefit.