Editorlal

[unclear: In], this week, of all weeks, there can be [unclear: ne] topic for an editorial - the [unclear: ns]. From an editors's point of view, [unclear: ku] are entertaining — suddenly all [unclear: rticles] you've been promised actually It's also testing, endeavouring to in impartiality towards the various [unclear: ates] while maintaining Salient's [unclear: o] as a forum for student debate.

[unclear: But] what about the elections? What are [unclear: vngs] voters should look for? What are [unclear: unary] qualities? Everyone else seems setting down criteria, and I will add [unclear: ne].

[unclear: It] my opinion that the particular views [unclear: jdidate] on any one issue are far from [unclear: st] important factors to be weighed voting. If VUWSA's policy were to tomorrow, I would still expect my representatives to action the new as vigorously as the old. Whether an [unclear: lual's] attitudes are the same as those Association is irrelevent — the [unclear: ant] thing is whether, regardless of [unclear: ixrsonal] views, they will represent, and respect the policy and the [unclear: ns] of the Association.

[unclear: Therefore] I believe that the first quality for in all candidates is the ability to [unclear: eir] personal views to one side when [unclear: if] for the Association.

[unclear: this] is not to suggest that the best [unclear: ate] is one with no personal views, [unclear: tat] once elected they should not pate in deliberations during the [unclear: ing] of policy. However once the [unclear: he] has been determined, elected [unclear: ntatives] must action it or follow it case may be). Elected representatives [unclear: vants] — not masters.

[unclear: In] apparent contradiction, though, [unclear: ship] is an important quality for [unclear: tive] members. Several election leaflets [unclear: iting] last week have suggested that [unclear: ship] is an attribute a President must I think it should be stressed that [unclear: ship] is a quality that ought to be [unclear: t] from all Executive members. A [unclear: al] Affairs Officer, for example, is [unclear: ed] to take a leadership role in [unclear: ng] cultural activities.

[unclear: I] so think that voters should be quite about the nature of leadership. A is not someone who is always hiving [unclear: his/her] own particular interest. Nor is a leader someone with strongly held beliefs on this issue or that. I believe a leader is one who can work with others to effectively action policy. I think it is important to recognise that leadership comes into its own after policy has been decided. Of course we would expect that elected officers would bring to our attention issues that concern members (such as the TSG) in their areas — but this is a responsibility that is, I believe, placed on all members of the Association, and does not of itself constitute leadership.

There are of course many other criteria that should be used to choose between candidates for particular positions other than the two general ones I have outlined above. Obviously for each position votes will look for certain qualities which they believe to be important for incumbents — perhaps administrative competence for the Secretry, I would hope all voters would seek sound financial knowledge from a Treasurer (if we had any applicants standing for the position). These factors must always be considered, but I think they rank second in importance to the two qualities I have mentioned.

Peter Beach.

On the Beat

Public concern has been mounting recently about the problem of gangs of thugs terrorising innocent passers-by. Every day the newspapers contain increasingly worrisome accounts of vicious, unprovoked savagery. Although it is difficult for an outsider to comprehend the workings of their diseased minds, it would appear the escalating violence is a result of the rigid, hierachical system of discipline the gangs employ, ruthlessly punishing any who step out of line

Apologists for these semi-savages maintain that their actions are merely the result of their deprived upbringing and their poor socio-economic background. This liberal waffle cannot, however, hide the fact that it is no longer safe to walk the streets, for at any time of the day or night, pedestrians are liable to be belted up by these baton-wielding hoodlums. The very sight of one of their destinctive blue uniforms, crudely decorated with "patches" signifying which "precinct" they come from, is enough to strike fear into the very hearts of honest and upright citizens.

It is important that the political aspects of these bully-boys tactics are recognised for what they are; neo-Nazi and blatantly rascist. Their uniforms and system of rank is based closely on the military. Their victims are almost invariably non European. They profess to be upholding our present society from potentially destructive forces, but in fact they are serving their own ends — or more sinister still, those of their political masters. Do not be taken in!! They have an ear of the very highest people in the land. One needs only look at the way they lounge arrogantly around the houses of Parliament- to sec that.

Perhaps sensing their strength is at a peak, they are now beginning to wear their firearms blatantly in public.

The press too is playing into their hands, taking small items of violence and blowing them up out of all proportion. The "Force", as they style themselves have been able to point to these as their raison d'etre. Only one newspaper has spoken out against them. Good on you Truth Hanging's too good for them.

NZUSA 1980Vacancies

Applications are now open for the following full-time positions with the New Zealand University Students' Association in 1980:—

Education and Welfare Vice-President General Vice President

Each position carries a salary of approximately $6,125 gross p.a. and successful applicants are expected to live in Wellington.

Applications should included the name, address, and telephone number of the applicant, and the position applied for be sent to:—

The President,

NZUSA.P.O. Box 9047.Courtney Place,Wellington

Applications close at 5 p.m. on Friday September 21. Elections will take place on September 29 at a Special General Meeting of NZUSA in Wellington, and candidates are advised to attend

For further information contact your students' association President or the President of NZUSA at the above address