.jpg)
SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1936. Volume 7. Number 9.
The Cockpit
The Cockpit
Procession Aftermath.
Dear "Smad,"
Far more important than the banning of the procession are the respective attitudes adopted by the Students' Executive and the Professorial Board.
The Executive's attitude involves am important principle: whether the Executive as the elected representatives of the students should assume full reponsibility for the actions of those to whom they have delegated specific tasks. The inquiry into the "Cappicade" magazine affords an excellent example. The Executive themselves appointed the Editors, and accordingly I consider that they should have faced the subsequent inquiry, instead of allowing the responsibility to rest on the Editors. It may be agrued that the Professrial Board demanded the name of the chief Editor, and that refusal to supply the name would have resulted in friction between the Board and the Association
This may be true, but surely the duty of the Executive to students and an important principle, should be placed before the duty of "maintaining cordial relations with the Professoral Board."
The behaviour of the Students' Executive was questionable enough, but far worse was that of the Professorial Board. Seemingly influenced by a controversy in the local press it instigated an inquiry into the Procession and the "Cappicade" magazine. On the completion of the inquiry the chairman made a statement: the offenders had been fined and processions banned. Strong stuff! Swift justice! The Board justifies its existence in the face of public opinion! The "Dominion" in its sub leader emphasized the important point that the action taken by the Board was purely negative and of no lasting value.
The Board's attitude was destructive, not constructive. That is a fact which must be realised by Students and the Board itself. It is serious enough that Professors are accused of divorcing themselves from the everyday world, but far more serious is the accusation that they stand aloof from the students and student affairs. And at V.U.C. such an accusation is fully justified. Club functions, whether cultural, sporting, or social, rarely receive their support or interest, while it is even rumoured that some professors do not even attend meetings of their own board.
From events in the past three years it appears that the Board's sole interest is administering rebukes and inflicting punishments at the dictate of the correspondence columns in the daily press.
When the Professors put their own house in order and take some interest in student affairs, then will the students appreciate and respect their criticisms and advice.
Yours, etc.
—"A."
Capping Caterpillars
Dear "Smad,"
It has been said that critics often take from the tree caterppillars and blossoms together. We take that risk without fear because the Capping caterpillars were big enough and hairy enough to be indentified without trouble.
Capping week was full of blemishes; few could see anythign funny in a puerile Capping book while the Procession hardly caused a smile, unless it was derisive. Surely it is obvious to the Ececutive that a Capping Comptroller should be appointed so that these two essential parts of Capping are properly organised and livened up.
A part from these blots on the eseutcheon Capping was successful, the Extray., Undergrads' Supper, Cermony and Ball being of a high order. Even here, however, we think we can see room for improvement.
The extray. was not assisted by those who attempted to be funny in the boxex, for although the idea was good, the jokes were about as puerile as those in the Capping Book. As non-actors we also take the liberty to criticise the dramatis personae. Is it not possible to pay more attention to make up and to the outstanding traits of those who are imnersonated? If the N.Z. politicians had approached Bernard Shaw in this respect the effect would have been 100 per cent. better.
We think the Undergrads' Supper is too full of words. A song for absent friends is surely enough while there seems little necessity for a toast to the ladies. Perhaps the Prof. Board and Exec., who apparently live together in such perfect amity, might be combined into one toast! These economies in speech making would, we feel sure, be much appreciated.
The Ceremony and Ball defeat us.
Yours, etc.
—The Critics.