1. History of its Introduction to College

Students of three or more years' standing who have taken an active interest in the extra-scholastic life of the College and particularly in the administration of the association must agree that the executives that have been elected to control their activities have varied greatly in ability, conscientiousness, common sense and efficiency. This has produced an unfortunate result in the administration of the association's affairs which is very apparent to those, who, for instance, are acquainted with the present state of the records. By many students it has been attributed to the system of election hitherto in force. With eight hundred students it is quite impossible that one student should know the qualifications of every other student for any particular office. In theory the executive has been elected by these eight hundred students. In practice only a very small number troubled to vote at all. At the last election which was considered a good poll, 61 per cent, of the women and 42 per cent, of the men cast votes. When it is remembered that of these few there were probably quite a number who were not personally acquainted with the candidates, it will be obvious, without further argument, that the working of the system was failure. Not even the best planned scheme could depart in practice so far from the theory on which it depended and still give results. During the past few years more than one radical change has been made with the object of remeding the glaring faults in the system of election. No lasting improvement has been apparent and when the College of Electors was first brought forward it was felt by several of the oldest students that a practical system had now been suggested. Students naturally sub-divide themselves into clubs and the members of any particular club know the other members much better than they know the students of other clubs. In general club commit tees it should be possible to sift from among the great number of students the most suitable officers. Under the old system all association business which required the consideration of students outside the executive had to come before a general meeting. Some years ago the executive was even elected at a general meeting with all its well-known limitations. Here, in the short space of two hours, and amid the confusion and sometimes the heat of an excited gathering, students were expected to consider calmly the financial policy and other business matters of the Association. It is not too much to say that constructive criticism was impossible, in general meetings. The idea of altering the method of electing the executive to provide this necessary improvement, first originated in the minds of several students who, at an inter-Varsity tournament had discussed with some prominent students from Otago University a similar, but not identical system, to one used at that University.

The idea was first submitted to the students at the annual general meeting of the Association held in June, 1930, although a general working of the scheme was explained to a meeting of club representatives held just prior to the last Students' Association elec- page 10 tion, and the former meeting instructed a sub-committee to investigate the proposal and report back to a special general meeting of the Association. Although the time given for consideration was short the executive obeyed the instruction, unanimously approved of the amendments to the constitution and reported back to the special meeting. This meeting considered the executive's recommendations and without any serious objections having been raised approved of them and hence the College of Electors first entered the Constitution. At this stage all meetings were practically unanimous in their decision to introduce the system.

Later it was realised that besides electing the executive, which is the most important duty that such a body could perform in the students' interests, this College would prove a very efficient check on the executive's activities. A sub-committee of the executive was set up in obedience to the direction of the general meeting and its main recommendations were that, in addition to electing the executive, the College should meet thrice annually, to consider the annual report and balance sheet in greater detail than is possible at present, and to discuss matters of general interest to the students. A new constitution was drawn up in detail by this sub-committee, embodying the College of Electors.

2. Its Election, Constitution And Workings

In order to overcome the objection of certain of the women of the college that, with only one College of Electors, the women on the executive would probably be placed there by the votes of the men representatives, the Executive intends placing before the students at the next special general meeting for their verdict, the scheme outlined as follows.

There shall be two Colleges of Electors, the Women's College and the General College.

Method of Electing the Executive.—Nominations for positions on the executive will be called for, as they are under the old system, and the iist of those nominated will be posted immediately nominations close. The right of individual students to nominate candidates is thus in no way interfered with. Club committees, who are the representatives of the students interested in the particular branch of College life, will then proceed to consider these nominations and advise their delegates what nominees they consider are best suited to hold the various offices on the executive.

Meetings are then held, first by the Women's College who proceed to discuss the qualifications of the various women nominees and then to elect the women committee members of the executive; and second by the General College who proceed in a similar manner to elect the others and men committee members.

If a club so desires it may bind its representative to vote for particular nominees but in the interests of a good executive it is advisable to inform the representative only of the committee's preference, otherwise unknown qualifications or detractions that a candidate may possess and which are made evident by a frank discussion of a candidate's qualifications will not be used to the greatest degree in the selection of the new committee.

Other Activities of College of Electors.—By having three meetings of this body, one in each session, it is hoped to keep clubs in touch with executive activities. It also provides a means for the executive to submit questions on matters on which they desire the opinion of representatives of the students of the College.

3. Why The Scheme Should Be Given A Trial.

1.—	Because the subdivision of the College into clubs is the most natural subdivision that can be effected and hence a committee consisting of delegates from these clubs is the most democratic organisation possible.page 11
2.—	Because being students of a university you should be progressive and be willing to give a new scheme a trial.
3.—	Because the scheme provides an opportunity at least once a term for informed and constructive criticism of the Executive's activities.
4.—	Because it would be unwise to divide the College into two camps just prior to tournament, trapping, and the extravaganza.
5.—	Because the majority of the executive consisting of several students of ability and long experience in the extra-scholastic life of the college are behind the scheme. Students should consider this well as these students investigated the pros and cons to the last detail before deciding to support the innovation. Most of them are upon the verge of leaving College and have no axe to grind.
6.—	Because similar schemes have proved their worth both in other parts of the world and also in this country.

A similar system is used in the election of the committee of the executive of the Otago University.

4. Personal Attitude Of Executive Members Towards College Of Electors.

The following will clarify the minds of students as to the attitude of individual members of the executive on the College of Electors scheme.

In favour of the College Electors:

• President: Mr. W. P. Rollings.
• Women's Vice-President: Miss M. Briggs.
• Men's Vice-President: Mr. H. J. Bishop.
• Hon. Secretary: Mr. C. S. Plank.
• Hon. Treasurer: Mr. E. K. Eastwood.
• Editor Spike: Mr. K. H. McCormick.
• Committee: Miss M. W. Gibbs, Messrs J. L. MacDuff and W. J. Mountjoy.

Opposed to the College of Electors:

• Committee: Misses H. Dunn and C. S. Forde.