The Corridors of Power

Dazed after a half hour journey, courtesy NZR, I wandered into parliament buildings recently, under what I now realise to be the mistaken impression that it was a public convenience. Before a kindly old janitor tersely condemned me to oblivion the Char Lady got to telling me what I o phi to know.....

Matt Rata has given up on Disney comics after recent criticism and now reads old National Party budgets which he commends to one and all as twice the laughs and needing only half the concentration'. Rob, she went on to say, is impervious to such criticism, but is still wondering why he was left off the Honours List, nursing a secret suspicion that the Queen and God have got it in for him because of his Irish ancestory. She figures he's right too, because she's Irish and didn't get a mention either.

Apparently the Minister of Defence stumbled upon the army recently and said it should be bigger because of the threat posed to international peace by the growing size of 'world power' armies. Thus either we are an aspiring world power or we're going to have an important role in maintaining (?) peace. Whatever; this sought of logic was obviously inspired by Bert Walker, so it's nice to know Bert is doing something constructive in policy formation — hang on in there Bert.

Lance Corporal Gill (she knew him from way hack) isn't worried about any potential rivals in his electorate because he's been taking lessons from Gerry Wall and Trev Young on how to be narrow minded and yet convince your electorate you represent them. Both Wall and Young incidently, now follow their signatures with the initials SPUC considering them to invoke a prestige similar to that engendered by OBE or PhD.

Meanwhile, as the great esculator of life trundles its way forever downward, poor old Peter Gordon is loosing the labour he's minister of as rapidly as he's loosing his voice. His successor, the old lady rightly points out, is likely to be the Minister of Emigration and Unemployment.

She worries also about the PM's press secretary, as she flicks her ash into Bruce (Smart fart) Betham's sugar bowl. The poor man has the potentially burdensome task of explaining away the possibility that MPs will be getting a 20% increase in salary when the PM has stated that a 7% General Wage Order is extravagant. She exhorts us all to pray for Bernie or failing this to forget the whole incident by election time.

Bruce, whose been finding annoying little bits of ash floating in his tea, is finding parliament a little bit bewildering, but keeps on smiling anyway.

She was just about to tell me of the injustices heaped on her husband's frail back when I remembered my initial purpose and excused myself, under fire from the janitor, and sprinted off down Lambton Quay hoping to find the Taj Mahal waiting.

The Broadsheet Article

It was with a certain degree of curiosity that I enquired from your office, the source of the article appearing in the issue of "Salient" of 3rd July, entitled "Well, Baby, what can I do for you? — Women Models - This article first appeared in Broadsheet."

As a paper which I understand exists for and contributed to, by students of Victoria University, I was surprised to be told that this article had been gleaned from an Australian woman's magazine. I have since found out that "Broadsheet" has offices in Auckland.

As a part-time student of your 'Hallowed Halls' (and very pleased to be able to be so), to this letter I put my name, which by coincidence is the same as the author of your article.

WONAAC Continues the Infighting

I was not impressed to read Lamorna Rogers petty and vitriolic attack on WONAAC in a recent Salient.

Much of her criticism is totally unjustified and one point in particular that I want to take up is just downright malicious. She says that the women on the WONAAC stall at the fundraising concert didn't even bother to go in. To be in two places at once is never easy and we would have been little use on the stall-had we been in the hall. I knew WONAAC was well represented by the number of members and supporters that were attending - not surprisingly, as ARC has had the benefit of our lists of supporters built up over five years of hard slog.

I never go to rock concerts anyway, but I did show my support for ARC by giving the organiser, Vicky Jones $3 (or the entrance fee) before I left.

I am writing on behalf of the Wellington branch of the Women's National Abortion Action Campaign (WONAAC), to express our surprise and dismay at Lamorna Rogers' letter in Salient (July 10, 1978). We feel that the accusations levelled at WONAAC by Lamorna are quite unjustified.

WONAAC is a member group of the Abortion Rights Committee, which is a coalition set up to organise a public meeting on July 10 and an abortion march on July 14. WONAAC members have participated in the build-up to these activities by helping in the distribution of publicity, making our membership lists available for mailouts, attending organising meetings, issuing press statements in support of July 14 etc. If Lamorna had checked the accuracy of her statements before going into print, we feel sure that she would not have attacked WONAAC in the way she did.

WONAAC's main aim is to build a united abortion campaign which will be strong enough to win women's right to abortion. We are prepared to work with the Abortion Rights Committee, or any other group, to achieve this aim. We hope that ARC will also help by joining with us to build the national day of mobilisation on September 15.

Lamorna's unjustified and inaccurate attack on WONAAC is an attempt to create divisions where none exist and does a disservice to the abortion rights campaign.

Uneasy about Israel

Why are pro-Israelis' so fanatical in their support for that far away country and why must they lavel any comment against that land as mere propaganda (a Nazi's description). Israel is a monument to the strength of Jewish belief (both in that country and internationally) but it should not place itself (or be placed) above criticism, really it should be more open to comment. To have doubts about Mr Begin is not to doubt the country generally - the man is a politician and even in Israel isn't the most sanctified of figures.

There are aspects to Mr Begin which leave many people-cold - as the 'Economist' puts it, 'some Israelis worry about their leader".

In Israel inflation is outstripping wage growth and the production machinery isn't paining the necessary investment to allow GDP to grow - money spent on war equipment (even if it does come from New York) is money wasted. Before ultra Zionists howl any louder for the blood of the Arabs, perhaps they might consider the advantages of peace. Peace is inevitable, excepting the oil producers all countries in the region are presently suffering various economic and social woes (even the oil nations are not totally immune) and it will be only through greater concentration on domestics that these problems will be solved.

Israel supporters constantly quote history (none recent) and use past examples of Arab treachery and military to excuse Israel's present stance. But [unclear: then] is no precedent to Mr Sadat's journey to Jerusalem so why did Begin totally reject the Egyptian move; it was the single most peace directed event in the last 30 years (by an Arab). Defence Minister Weizman was so outraged by his Prime Minister he publically condemned him and admitted that another wax could be on the way because of Begin's attitude.

In Egypt (as reported in last week's Economist) Mr Sadat is on the wane because of his failure with the peace talks - but surely even the most staunch pro-Israeli would rather see this gentleman in the seat of power than the likely replacements. Egypt has a large (850,000) army currently running down, and there is some discontent amongst this force about their relative slide, it is from this source that the next President is likely to come. A strong military would lead to a deterioration in the general living standard and unrest, and that is a more likely war situation than exists at present under Sadat with his faith in economic rather than military growth.

In July 1977 Mr Begin promised President Carter that there would be no more settlements in occupied territory, on January 5 this year the Jewish Agency announced plans for 100 new settlements for 2,500 families in the Sinai. In order not to arouse the Americans these settlements are occuring often in disguise - one example is a site (not in Sinai) 20 miles north of Jerusalem at Shiloh - the government announced the settlement as an archeological dig but the renewal of Jewish settlement in the land of our fathers'; at a tree planting ceremony it was hoped 'Shiloh would become a city of 40,000 souls'. Some Israeli voices were raised against this, archeologists condemned the activity and the government promised action - Shiloh however is still there.

Inside Israel the police state atmosphere is reported to be growing - censorship of government controlled news is common and police brutality far from rare, but coverage in Israel newspapers of such there is not. And recent events on the West Bank by Israel military authorities has lead the local Arab population to further distrust their neighbours. The most publicised case occurred at the Iscandre Houri High School in Bert Jallah - near Bethlehem. The military rounded up the student, shut them in their classrooms and then lobbed tear-gas grenades in. The Israeli public line was quite different; until the Officer in Charge was dismissed.

In a letter of last week a student said those who are not Jewish cannot understand the feeling the Jew has for Israel; so what; that doesn't mean gentiles don't have standards. I criticise those who feel that natural laws are dismissable purely because it is a Zionist who is doing the dismissing. Belief is all very well but it does not justify any means to the believed end. God may exist and may only be merciful to Jews, but how terrible if he doesn't and isn't.

Is Carter Genuine?

We would like to express our disappointment at last Wednesday's SRC concerning the condemnation of the violation of human rights. To include the United States in a motion which was inspired by the "justice" dealt out to the Soviet dissidents seems to us an emasculation of the basic issues involved. While it is undoubtedly true that there was a fair amount of hypocrisy in President Carter's condemnation of the trials, there was also no doubt, some genuine feeling of disgust.

Further to this if the United States had ignored the suppression of human rights, the situation would be far worse than it is today; the motion seemed to simultaneously condemn the country that violated the human rights, and the country that, for whatever reason, was trying to end that violation. Compared to the legalized suppression of free speech in the Soviet Union, the US is in the beginners league,

Salient Chastised

Not again for God's sake! By printing those letters from filthy-mouthed compatriots of mine you are doing us more harm than good. Why don't you, at the very least, abridge them? In that way any point that they may have to make will be brought home in a more readable manner. Neither will we at the same time miss reading in between the lines, the social and psychological problems facing these students.

By printing them as they are, you are unnecessarily tarnishing our image. Free speech demands equally a similar standard of responsibility. If you are really concerned with our welfare, then I suggest you give more than serious consideration to what I have just said.

ARC called a SPUC Front

The July 14 march against abortion was an important step in the campaign to rid this country of its oppressive abortion laws, so women may have a right to choose when or if they have children.

Therefore may I express my disgust and anger at the closet SPUCies who wrote the songs distributed on the march. I might have known, from the poster advertising the march (Abortion — A woman's democratic right), that some political group drunk with the prospect of power might be out to use the march for its own ends. But I could not believe my ears when the words "this is a people's fight" and "a new abortion law" rang out. Any sexless twit knows that abortion is a woman's concern, not a "people's" concern, nor an issue for civil liberties. It would seem this march was carefully engineered by a few who are out to sabotage the abortion rights movement to the satisfaction of SPUC.....for who else would ask for "new abortion laws" but anti-abortionists? The writers of these songs did Dr Wall and his cohorts proud.

I am not a member of WONAAC or any political group, but a woman concerned with absolute repeal of all abortion laws. This is a vital precondition for the emancipation of women from their own bodies, and if I knew who wrote the anti-women songs I might be tempted to bang their heads together.....

Whither the Environmental Group

I am writing to ask: what are the actual motives of the president of the Environmental Group at this university? This person (Paul Norman) has a group who have been given a grant of four hundred dollars on condition that they set up a "resource centre for environmental studies".

As one of the people who put my name down to join the 'group' at it's stand during enrolment, I would like to know what is actually going on. I have a deep concern for the environment, and want to be able to do some positive work; yet all I ever got from the group was one crummy newsletter.

Not once this year (and it's almost half gone) have we had a meeting and not once have we been called on to participate in the group. I know the group still exists because they seem to be messing around with this bloody resource centre.

Also Norman is running around trying to set up 12 credit environmental courses with various departments. It is a bit strange that he himself is taking the present 6 credit environmental courses in an effort to patch up his BSc.

In short, as a member of this group I want some contact with other members (are you one?) and some say in what is being done with all it's (our) money. Maybe this will lead to a more positive group with more positive actions (the last one broke up due to apathy).

Another Right Wing Ramble

I am writing to you concerning the abolition of the position of International Vice President of NZUSA. Lindy Cassidy at the SRC tried to make out that the Vic delegation to May Council voted to abolish the IVP in order to make concessions to campuses at that time threatening withdraw!. Rut that excuse cannot stand because Canterbury dissented to the motion to do this at May Council, (p 23). It is clear that the Vic delegates of mostly Salient people were happy to use the Movick issue for their own political ends. They sold out Movick at May Council thus giving the government a victory all down the line. What's worse is that they had no Vic policy backing to vote the way they did. Still the 'in' clique are always right so they probably won't be censured for it - that's student democracy for you. Lindy Cassidy and her leftist lackeys have abandoned overseas students, it is clear.

Anyway, you can ignore this letter as it probably won't be published - you will probably continue your rather ineffectual attacks on the middle of the roaders who have emerged at SRCs. Why are you so shit scared of them? Because the Cassidys, Wilsons and Jonathan Scotts of this world are in the minority - thank God! I bet you don't publish this letter. I am not supplying my name because I (unlike other braver souls) have no wish to be defamed by Salient. Wilson, I suggest you resign. Ta Ta.

Trot Back the IVP

Jonathon Scott's account of the debate in the SRC printed in the Salient of July 10, while it faithfully reports his own remarks, does not do justice to the views of those who spoke against the decision of NZUSA's May Council to scrap the full-time position of International Vice-President (IVP) of NZUSA, and against the Victoria delegates' support of that move. We would like to explain our position.

The controversy over the position of International Vice-President involved important issues. Above all, it concerned a point that has lately been of hot dispute: are "non-student" issues, of which international politics is just one example, to be regarded as a major concern of NZUSA? The scrapping of the IVP called into question the support that students associations have given to such causes as the struggle of Black South Africa for self-determination, the Maori land rights movement, the tight for a woman's right to abortion, the campaign against the 1977 SIS legislation and many others.

In our opinion, the present political climate both in New Zealand and internationally means that students as much as ever need an organisation that can represent them on these issues. (For that reason we strongly oppose any moves by campuses to split from NZUSA). This in fact expresses the spirit of Victoria's policy, which tolerates no restrictions on its field of political interest, and has led to an increase, not a decrd decrease in the number of political officers, as on all campuses.

Quite clearly, then, the abolition of the position of IVP was a step backwards for NZUSA. Specifically, it weakens our national organisation by reducing NZUSA's political apparatus, and it throws more responsibilities on such other import ant positions as the President and the General Vice-President (who is supposed to action International and National policy in a 1:2 ratio).

The short-sightedness of the move was shown in the way it affected the position of James Movick - NZUSA is supposed to be trying to get Movick back into New Zealand, after he was deported earlier this year. Since this effort rested on getting Movick a special job permit, and his job was that of IVP, the campaign has been completely undermined. Movick was made redundant by his own colleagues! This was recognised by the Dominion, which headlined a report of May Council with the words "Students Association Scraps Movick Job".

A serious precedent has been established, that will further deter overseas students from standing for positions in NZUSA. Furthermore, NZUSA pointed out earlier this year that the victimisation of Movick was a case of government interference in student affairs. How disappointing, then, to see NZUSA crumble before this pressure.

Victoria's position in fact reflected the panic of the NZUSA National Officers, who pushed such a compromise. They saw no other way of saving NZUSA than that of kow-towing to the wishes of such a conservative and atypical campus as Lincoln College.

This brings us to what we feel is the most important point. The frictions within NZUSA have raised some important questions. What is the role of students associations, both at the local and the national level? Should they concentrate on specific "student issues" or should they continue to have a broader political outlook? How should students associations be structured?

What is Desparately Needed is a Thorough Discussion of these Questions; a discussion that gives all students the chance to participate. Such a discussion would itself provide an example of how a students association should seek to involve students at every level. It is the only alternative to the method of ill-thought compromise.

With that in mind, we would also like to protest at the way that Victoria's delegates decided to support the abolition of the IVP. It was not decided through open debate at an SRC; it was not brought before the student population. It was decided by a handful of delegates, despite the fact that they were elected to represent policy, and not to decide it — especially on so important a matter! The excuse that there was no time to raise the question before the delegates' meeting does not hold water: it was well-known among the delegates that this would be an important issue at May Council.

We hope that this letter will stimulate discussion on this question, and we certainly hope that the result will be that Victoria goes to August Council with policy for the reinstatement of the International Vice-President.

In Defence of 'Immoral Tales'

I would like a chance to reply to David Beresford's review of 'Immoral Tales'. I found this film to be easily amongst the most absorbing and challenging works I have ever sat through. Presumably then, I am a prurient, immoral and brainless chauvinist. Beresford is as entitled to his opinions as I am. I do however, object to his insulting insinuations which seem designed to elevate himself into a defender of morality and women's rights.

When he does bother to actually offer a critical opinion, Beresford's ignorance - both artistically and historically - is all too woefully apparent. The Countess, Erzsebet Bathory, depicted in the film actually existed. I would also suggest that Beresford go into Lucrezia Borgia's history. He might then begin to understand what Walerian Borowczyk was saying in his film.

'Immoral Tales' was heavily metaphorical and relied a good deal more on it's powerful images than on dialogue for the exposition of its ideas. No doubt this contributed to Beresford's inability to grasp the point of the film. In fact I doubt whether Borowczyk's intentions could have been much clearer. Right at the start he dedicates 'Immoral Tales' to a maxim of La Rochefoucauld's, to wit: "However enjoyable love may be, it is enjoyed even more for the ways it manifests itself than for itself alone". If Beresford had kept this line in mind, the film might well have made a lot more sense to him.

Toward the end of the review Beresford claims that 'Immoral Tales' "isn't even particularly well made to boot". This sort of criticism is lamentably common amongst critics who find themselves threatened by a work of art they cannot comprehend or understand. In the case of 'Immoral Tales' it is just not true: the film literally drips with style. Lush photography, exquisite costume and set design are coordinated by Borowczyk to produce a film of rare perception and depth. It is sensual, it is erotic, but to dismiss 'Immoral Tales' as pornographic would be to miss the point completely.

Picasso's first cubist work 'Les demoiselles d'Avignon', depicted five prostitutes in various stages of undress. It was crude, no! even "well made" but the painting survived to foster a whole new direction for art. Good art thus always transcends the opinions of narrow minded critics. In more enlightened circles 'Immoral Tales' is already regarded as a landmark of sorts, and I believe it will grow in stature.

Costa Botes

Radio Active Jocks Cock it up

I'm writing to complain about the French Department's annual "Bal Musette" on Saturday 15th. Not only did it cost $3.50 to be admitted but once in, we found to our horror, that we had to Pay for our drinks after getting a few glasses of wine or beer by having our tickets dismembered.

In years past this event has been one of the highlights of an otherwise pathetic social calender, with a good time to be had by all. This year we were treated to a Radio Active disco, with un-doubtedly the worst Dee Jay I have ever been subjected to, stale chips, smelly cheese and more lunatics, than even Lake Alice could boast.

If I had wanted to fork out three and a half dollars to drink some wine, listen to the incoherent ran tings and ravings of a Radio Active jock, with an IQ of ten, and to be physically assaulted by a little man with a silly hat who kept claiming to be Roman Polanski, I should not have been disappointed. As it is, I must rest content at having financed in part, the annual French Department's expedition to the Club Mediterannee

To all those wise and far-sighted individuals who managed to avoid this cultural experience, my hearty congratulations, and finally, to all those culture vultures who are contemplating an evening of refined, sophisticated and intelligent banter, forget it, save your bursary money for the Barretts.

Preconceptions

Gillian Collier wrote to Salient last week commending you on the report on the Executive in a previous issue. Although she is a first year student, her analytical reading is very poor..... Do we really have a man Vice-President who has no initiative and no leadership, etc? Hardly, after all he did have the guts to stand in the first place and at least he doesn't waste his time like some other Exec members boring us all to death with campaigns, many of which are irrelevant to students, Furthermore the reports were virtually rendered worthless because it was so obvious who 'Salient' staff liked and disliked, ie. who roughly corresponded to your political persuasions (perversions).

The trouble is you just don't realize how boring you really are. This means Salient is boring boring .. boring. Everything you print just about, is full of your preconcieved ideas, an example would be the article on Tenancy "you loused up, saying landlords were basically parasitical and should be legislated out of existence. I think you as editor should be legislated out of existence and I notice that many previous correspondents to 'Salient' agree with me. I suppose for people like you who want to avoid exec positions then the next best thing is a position on a student newspaper so you can try to influence students that way — Well Simon bad luck, students are not that naive. Sorry the letter is a bit long but I don't suppose you will publish it anyway. Resign!

Imaginative Apathy

In last week's devastating issue Jonathan Scott raised a very good question when he asked why the 6,000 students enrolled in this wonderful institution failed consistently to trot (if you'll pardon the expression) along to SRCs. A word or two of enlightenment Jonathan. I stay away because it is mind-shatteringly dull. I do not indulge in any sadistic practices, like subjecting myself to the fascist drivel of Tees and Watson — that dynamic duo of dullness.

I'm not interested in Zaire, Palestine, the oppression of Guatemalan pygmy sword-swallowers, or the democratic rights of the nomadic herdsmen of the Gobi desert. Our environmental officer Paul Norman may also be interested in the fact that I couldn't give a fuck about the whales - and I suspect it's mutual. I care even less about the ecological threat posed by the mass extermination of Venezualan Beavers, or the danger to the atmosphere posed by the New Zealand population persisting in wiping their bums with their right instead of their left hand.

Finally, I couldn't care less if our Treasurer Steve Underpants, took all the money and pissed off to Peru.

Groops are in

As a Haberdashery agent for the lesser Wellington area I wish to inform you that due to the recent Tax concessions I have, at great expense, been able to import a new shipment of Exosss Groops. It is hoped that these will be made available to the public sometime early next week at the larger Department Stores.

Leave it be in the Wairarapa

My old uncle came down from Masterton yesterday. Apparently the place is in an uproar. Seems there's this university chap up there wanting to get into parliament or some such thing. The locals are really terrified. Seems if they don't make an immediate donation to the Labour Party and promise faithfully to vote Labour this university chap takes out a small notebook and writes something down.

Then, in the middle of the night, these dreadful people are dragged kicking and screaming from their beds. They are secretly taken to a little shack in the middle of nowhere and chained to a table. On top of the table is a stack of Sosc 301 theories. If they do not repent of their evil ways immediately these unfortunates are then made to mark one of the theories. It gets to be too much, and after they have read a page or two, they throw down their pens, begging for mercy. Out of the shadows steps this university chap, signs them up, including relieved promises to mortgage farms if necessary, anything to get out of there. With tears rolling down their cheeks, gasping and shaking, the poor couple are taken back to their farms.

Well the university ought to do something about it. It's not cricket, you know. Besides, the class want their theories back. A complaint is being forwarded at this time to the League of Nations. The Rugby Union has decided never to play rugby with universities again. Finally there will be a demonstration outside the office of the Sosc lecturer concerned, Friday anytime. Please be there.

The President Replies

At the risk of continuing an already drawn out debate, I wish to reply to the letter written by Curunathan K. and 39 others. The letter asks 4 questions.

1. What has happened to the continued struggle to win equal rights for overseas students?

At NZUSA's May Council, it was decided to give the National Overseas Student Action Committee (NOSAC) more political responsibility and greater financial resources to help wage the campaign to win equal rights for overseas students. The legal battle which cost over $3,000.00 of students' money has been discontinued because it has been established that legally the ultimate decision is left in the hands of the Minister of Immigration. However, the political struggle is still being continued by NOSAC and other officers of NZUSA who lobby Members of Parliament, distribute relevant material and prepare detailed submissions to Government policy-making bodies.

2. What has happened to the campaign to get James Movick back to his elected position of International Vice-President of NZUSA?

To clarify the position, I must point out that James officially resigned from his position as International Vice President before he left the country. Though Guru and some of his friends may wish to use James as a pawn for their own political ends, it is his decision whether he wishes to return to New Zealand and, when he left, he was undecided. It is not a question of us telling James what to do, but rather it is up to us to fight for the right for overseas students to take up positions in NZUSA.

3. Could you please give us an outline as to how this battle is being continued, what headway has been made and whether the abrogation of the elected position of James Movick could have in any way an adverse affect on the appeals to get Movick back to New Zealand?

Basically this question has been answered. However, it is important to note that an association without the active participation of its membership can wage as many campaigns as they like but if they do not have the active support and ideas of their membership then the campaigns have little impact. At SRCs, VUWSA's most important policy-making body, there have been no motions by overseas students, regarding the continuation of the fight for equal rights. The original campaign itself achieved a limited amount of support from overseas students and received none from Gurunathan K. In fact, James expressed some disappointment in the lack of support from people such as Curunathan K., whom he had considered friends.

4. Could Lindy Cassidy inform us of the position she and other members of the VUWSA delegation to the May Council took as regards the NZUSA position of International Vice President?

It is a pity that the signatories to the letter did not attend the last two SRCs where this question was debated at great length. The decision regarding the retention or otherwise of the International Vice President (IVP) was decided within the caucus democratically, and with much debate.

The Victoria delegation decided to vote for the removal of the position of IVP for a number of political and financial reasons. Politically, NZUSA was in a state of crisis. There were 3 notices of withdrawal, from Massey, Canterbury and Lincoln, hanging over Council. It was essential that NZUSA presented a strong unified stand to combat these attacks. It was felt by the majority of the campuses that there had been a marked shift in recent years away from mass campaigns on International issues to campaigns on education and the national situation. It was also felt that the structure and in particular the position of International Vice President did not reflect this. Some campuses expressed the desire to scrap all international policy and international campaigns. However, all campuses felt that special emphasis should be given to the needs and problems of overseas students.

Faced with this situation the Victoria delegation compromised by agreeing to the removal of the IVP But at the same time stipulating that the President be directly responsible for Overseas Students, that the General Vice President has responsibility for International Campaigns, and that NOSAC be given greater financial and political responsibility.

Financially, NZUSA was also in trouble. Either one position had to be out or all the campaigns would have had money taken from them. This would have further weakened NZ USA as an effective political body. However, NOSAC did receive a substantial financial increase whereas every other area received a cut in expenditure.

In my last letter, I asked those overseas students, particularly Guru, to openly and directly challenge the actions of VUWSA or NZUSA either privately to me, or publicly at an SRC.

However, instead of an open debate, a vicious rumouring campaign initiated by Guru, has ensued. Personally I deplore these tactics. Only those who are afraid of the truth run from open debate.