The Editor will endeavour to publish all Letters submitted, but reserves the right to abridge to suit the demands of space.

Blues for Cricket.

Dear "Smad,"—

It seems rather a pity that Cricket should be almost the only branch of sport, played in the University, at which one cannot gain a New Zealand University Blue. Surely this could be awarded from members of the four Cricket teams at the University Colleges who have played for their teams during the season, and who have paid their Students' Association fee, after the annual Cricket matches which are played at Easter, namely, Victoria versus Auckland, and Otago versus Canterbury. Participation in these games would not be a necessary qualification for a New Zealand University Blue, but could be considered in awarding the Blues. I would suggest that a New Zealand University Eleven should be chosen after the manner of the New Zealand University Rowing Eight, and that these eleven players be awarded their Blues. It would not be necessary for the chosen Eleven to play in an actual game, since the purpose of the selection would have been fulfilled after it had been made, but should a game by the team against one of the Representative sides be practicable at any time, it could be played.

Tramping and (In)Human Values.

Dear "Smad,"—

We are surprised at the temerity of the author of "Tramping and Human Values," in the last "Smad," He must be a bold Spirit, indeed, who thus lays bare the innermost secrets of his heart to the rapacious serutiny of our budding psychoanalysts. To such, the opening paragraph would reveal the erotie impulse that is the root of all tramping.

There is no need for the lament: "It is so hard for the true lover to get across the footlights to those who do not share his love." We understand.

While we are prepared to admit this analysis by our local psychologists, not being psychologists ourselves, we prefer to state our objections to this pursuit on the basis of our own experience.

To us, tramping is concentrated unrestricted bestiality. Far from being a striving after loftier human ideals, tramping is entirely atavistic—a leap into the simian. The impassioned and voluptuous writer of that article dwells on the beauties of Nature. When we once tramped, we did not see any; how could we? With outstretched neek and straggling rear, with bulging eyeballs and greasy torso, we had enough trouble following the noisome splashing and flounderings of the redoubtable tamper who led us. We arrived at our destination; still we had no time to admire the beauties of Nature (if any). We congregated in one seething mass in a foul kennel dignified by the appellation of hut. There, amid the overpowering fumes and stench of human bodies, we were invited to partake of something that can only be described as a culinary abdominal.

The primary requirements of man are supposed to be food, shelter, clothing and love. The tramper's ideal of the first two has already been referred to. The third we will not refer to—we are always modest. Now, for the last. Yes, sir, ther were ladies present. Here words fail us.

Our altruistic scribe says "there never was room on a mountain top for petty meanness or a doubtful yarn." However that may be, when we sampled tramping the topic of conversation seemed to be confined to the peculiarities and exploits of various tradesmen's daughters.

We therefore warn the readers of "Smad" not to be beguiled into taking up tramping in search of purity, goodness and truth. But if they have a taste for the bizarre and brutish, lei them wallow in the physical and moral mud of the stamping grounds of the tramping species.

Executive Letter.—Blue Awards.

"Student" Banned.—N.U.S. and Blues

Dear "Smad,"—

My Executive wishes me to report to the members of the Students' Association the following matters:— (1) The Victoria College Evangelical Union had been affiliated to the Victoria University College Students' Association.

(2) The following grunts have been authorised:— Men's Hockey Club, £p;39 15s.; Football Club, £p;38 10s.; Tennis Club, £p;32 5s.; Rowing Club, £p;20; Dramatic Club, £p;16; Boxing Club, £p;15; Women's Hockey Club, £p;6 8s. 8d.; Athletic Club, £p;6 7s.; Basket Ball Club, £p;6 ; S.C.M., £p;5; Swimming Club, £p;5 18s. 6d.; Harrier Club, £p;9 6s. 6d.; Free Discussions Club, £p;5; Literary Society, £p;5; Debating Society, £p;5; Maths and Physical Society, £p;2 12s.; Tramping Club, £p;2 10s.; Commerce Society, £p;2 10s.

(3) At the request of your Executive, a meeting comprising representatives from the New Zealand Hockey and Football Councils, and N.U.S., was held at Christchurch on 3rd. June to consider the standardisation of N.Z. university Blues.

As a result, Blues will in future awarded by the National Union of Students on the recommendation of committees set up by the Union.

(4) The Executive has refused its consent to the further publication of the Review "Student."

Introducing—

the Common Room Committee

Dear "Smad;"—

It was very interesting to learn from the last issue of Of "Smad" that we have a properly constituted Men's Common Room Committee. Well, who are they, and what have they done this year except reduce the rowdyism, and I have a shrewd suspicion that the absence of the Training College students did this for them.

If the present condition of the Common Room is any indication of the efficiency of that Committee, then I strongly advocate that this self-elected body should be abolished and a committee elected at the Annual General Meeting, having in addition the Men's Vice-President of the Stud. Ass., the Treasurer of the Stud. Ass. and the President of the Haeremai Club as ex-officio members, should be substituted therefor. By this means we would be governed by popular persons, and it is obvious that those who are not popular have little hope of controlling the aforesaid room.

Charlie Tells us How.

Dear "Smad,"—

To the minds of a large number of students the standard of "Smad" has fallen. Its sales are dropping, as its contents are such that only occasionally is any lively interest aroused. The two issues of "Student" created much more interest, thought and discussion than did any of this or last year's issues of "smad." This is because "Student" is getting down to things which are of daily interest and are vital to our welfare.

What is wrong with "Smad," and why does it not compare favourably with the publications of other Colleges?

An analysis of the last two issues of "Smad" will make this obvious.

The first issue comprised 40 per cent. of serious matter, 35 per cent. sport, and 25 per cent. of "full-ups."

The second issue consisted of 35 per cent. of serious matter, 50 per cent. sport, and l5 per cent. fill-ups."

From this it seems that serious matters concerning us all are given comparatively little space, whereas our god sport has a very big say, and fill-ups, for that is what the rest actually is, accounts for the remainder.

In last year's May issue a correspondent. "Advance," appealed to you "to give some lead to public opinion on questions of social, political, and domestic importance" .... and asked it some "our graduates, our wits and reformers would give a lead on such questions as are busying the minds of the thinkers of our day."

I do not suggest that sport should be entirely eliminated, but I do say that it should be considerably curtailed.

Serious discussion, written in an interesting manner on matters of domestic, local and international importance to students is what we want.

It is little wonder that outside newspapers and the general public regard the ideas emanating from "Student" as the opinions of a large majority of our students when "the organ of official opinion" contains little besides sport and fill-ups.

Even the Executive letter is missing these days. Surely they are doing something worthy of recording. For instance, what part did they take in the Conference to consider the protection of blazer and "blue" designs?

It may he said that students will not write for "Smad." Other editors have induced the literary inclined students to write, so why not you, Mr. Editor?

Your journal is the organ of student opinion, but all the same there is no reason for not publishing articles of the type that have appeared in "Student." If they had appeared in "Smad" and had been answered by prominent members of the page 9 opposing viewpoint, then the whole manter would have been seen by the newspapers and general public in the propoer perspective.

It is a noteworthy but regretable fact that Victoria has for several years lagged behind the other Colleges in literacy and contemporary matters. Of the four official journals "Smad" was the last to appear. Of the "milli-paci" journals "Student" was the last to be published. Both critic and Canta have abandoned the monthly publication of a bound magazine and are issuing a fortnightly newspaper. I suggest to "Smad" that they, too. follow suit, as a fortnightly paper has the advantage of allowing discussions on a topic to take place before the enthusiasm wanes or the matter becomes state. I know that such a change, which is not a radical one, would require an alteration to the Constitution, but there is still time to arrange it at the Annual General Meeting.

"Smad" at present expresses merely the froth of student life at Victoria. Some think thai "Student" indicates the presence of dirty water underneath. Let "Smad" in future express exactly what does exist there.