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Salient. Official Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 22. September 10 1979
Gosling Gets Back
Gosling Gets Back
Dear Sir,
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The last article of Salient contained an article relating to the Extra-ordinary General Meeting of Student Travel Bureau Ltd, held during August Council.
I am very concerned that vastly more space was afforded to the matter of 'grubbiness' than to the welcome news of STB Ltd's $17,000 profit for 1978-79, and the implication of this. This concentration on personalities may do wonders for the author's attempts to make political mileage, but does little to inform students about the real goings on of STB Ltd, which have been the subject of so much debate.
I am also particularly concerned by the impression the article gives, and the manner in which the writer (Mark Wilson) seeks an opinion from the reader —"You can judge whether or not it was o.k." — without looking into the background of the issue and not revealing all the facts of the case.
The point of contention seems to be the manner in which Board member Nigel Petrie was removed, rather than the removal itself.
Helen Aikman (Victoria co-Chief Delegate) is quoted as saying that it was neither "the time or place" to discuss it. She is completely incorrect. A General Meeting of the shareholders of STB Ltd, is the only place where such a matter should be raised. The comment of Helen and Tony Stuart (Canterbury Chief Delegate) that the matter should have been discussed by National Executive is again incorrect. It is not National Executive's role to consider such a matter. In fact there has been a growing trend this year to further restrict National Executive's involverment in STB's affairs. National Executive could not make a decision on the matter, leaving Nigel Petrie hanging. Furthermore Nigel [unclear: Petrie] does not attend National Executive meetings.
| 1. | It has been widely accepted that STB Ltd have a strong competent Board. |
| 2. | It has also been established that the only control NZUSA has over STB's Board [unclear: is] power to remove directors. |
| 3. | Unfortunately the only people who are [unclear: res] in a position to comment on the [unclear: performance] Board members are other Board members. [unclear: The] believe is largely the responsibility of Chairperson of the Board. However, now [unclear: t] that position is filled by a student director. [unclear: t] person is placed in an insidious position. [unclear: The] the responsibility is left to the President NZUSA who serves on the Board ex-[unclear: officid] |
| 4. | The only place where a final decision can made, open and honest discussion is possible [unclear: a] the person in question is present is a [unclear: Gene] Meeting of the shareholders of STB Ltd. |
| 5. | Nigel Petrie knew that some [unclear: disatisfactice] been expressed and was specifically informed the likelihood of a motion arising earlier [unclear: the] morning by me. I had attempted to ensure [unclear: the] Nigel was informed earlier but this [unclear: prove] impossible. The chairperson of the Board, [unclear: lol] Judge, had talked to Nigel about his [unclear: contribution] to the Board much earlier. |
In my report to August Council, I [unclear: comments] that one of the abilities a President of NZUS required was to be able to cope with [unclear: losin] friendships by being honest. Removing [unclear: any] from any position is an unpleasant job. [unclear: Nig] Petrie was (and I hope still is) a good friend mine, but my actions were the correct one. [unclear: The] matter was conducted openly and honestly. [unclear: The] implication Mark Wilson has put in his article [unclear: the] it was handled in an underhand and income manner is not true and personally distasteful.
Unfortunately one of the other [unclear: ability] NZUSA presidents need, is to be able to [unclear: cop] with this sort of unsubstantiated abuse.
Yours sincerely,
Chris Gosling
, President, NZUSA.