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Salient. (An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z.) 17th September 1949. Extra

[Statement Defending Salient from the Professorial Board]

To all Friends of "Salient"

When in March 1938 the Student paper "Salient" was founded in Victoria College, its declared policy, expressed in the opening Editorial by Bonk Scotney, its "a policy which aims firstly to link the University more closely to the realities of the world," Since that time, "Salient" has stood out in the University world, a leader in Student opinion, living up to its name and its policy.

Since that time, too, attacks on "Salient" have continued from year to year - always the same reproach, always the same remedy proposed : "Salient", was too, irresponsible, bringing "disrepute" on the College : it should be disciplined, tamed, brought to heel, Hardly a year passed but some Editor of "Salient" was charged by irrate Executives or by College authorities with subverting the best interests of the College.

Even with its faults, "Salient" has been too fearless, too outspoken, too "Salient", and as such it has earned the hatred of all those who have longed for the unruffled sterility of a censored University.

There are those who regret the present free status of "Salient". They desire a paper rendered impotent by a thorough censorship of a paternal Executive. Therefore, they declare that the University is a "Corporate Unity," and the Professorial Board as its governing body is justified in formulating and imposing its own standards of what a Student paper should be,

The General Meeting of V.U.C. Students Assn, on Monday 19th Sept. is the culmination of these eleven years of struggle. We are called upon to defend "Salient" against a new attack : the attempt by the Professorial Board to fine an Editor for publishing an article which they considered "in bad taste".

But while defending "Salient" we shall be upholding something broader and more important yet ; the right of Students to publish (within the law) their opinions, however disagreeable to the authorities these may be. There should be no doubt as to the implications of the Professorial Fine. If the fine is allowed, no student in the College would be safe to write freely : even a letter in the "Evening Post" might be judged guilty of the all embracing "bad taste."

The Professorial Board should be allowed no more jurisdiction over "Salient" than it has over the "Evening Post." Neither is printed in the name of the College : neither derives its right to publish from the Professorial Board.

In conclusion, we quote from "Salient's" first Editorial in 1959, written by one of its founders, Derek Freeman:

"We live in an age in which values and criteria are in a process of rapid and active decay ...

"We live in a world of human devices, A world thick with vested interests, where where privilege is backed by power. To succumb is easy, it is easy to accept the things as we find then regardless of the end to which the logic of events must lead...

"It is hoped that this year, even more than last Students will use "Salient" to say what they think...

"The University above all else, should be the home of freedom and intellectual honesty. In the past it has failed more than once. Let us determine that while we are responsible it will never fail again."

P.F. Jenkins, ex-Editor.

D. Garrett, Editor.

and members of "Salient" staff.

Attend the Special General Meeting Monday

Support in Full Resolution Backing Salient