Repercussions

I am instructed by the Executie of the Association to refer to an article published in the issue of 22nd April, 1936, bearing the caption, "Pleasure and Profit," purporting to be a report on the annual meeting of the N.Z.U.S.A

At the outset, I feel it is unfortunate that the reporter was not present at the meeting, nor did he approach the officials of the Association for an authentic report, No doubt this accounts for the literal inacuracy of the report in places. The most unfortunate aspect, however, is the whole tone of the article which to readers certainly discredits the N.Z.U.S.A.

In so far as this impression is created the Executive has instructed me to disown the article in question.

The point arises, however, that to the general body of students who have not taken steps to aquaint themselves with the doings of the N.Z.U.S.A it may appear that that body 'had done nothing in particular to justify a gain in prestige.'

Members of the Executive know the New Zealand body has grown considerably during the past few years. Quite apart from the fact that the N.Z.U.S.A. acts as a common body for the students of the five university colleges in the dominion, I feel it would be of interest to mention a few of the matters which have received its attention during the past few few years:

Standardisation of N.Z.U. Blues.

Identification cards for N.Z. Students proceeding overseas.

Conduct of the Bledisloe Medal Contest.

Negotiations for overseas Debating Tours.

Preservation of Historical Records.

Negotaiations for Tennis, Boxing, and Athletic Contests between New Aealand and overseas students.

Negotiations re University Fees.

Negotiations re Books.

Conduct of a Peace Ballot.

Co-ordination of N.Z.U. Sports Bodies.

In view of these points it can be claimed that the N.Z. Association has already performed a comsiderable service and has certainly attained a large measure of prestige.

Taking into account the facts it should be apparent for the N.Z.U.S.A. to increase further in pretige, Victoria College must offer her co-operation not necessarily by withholding criticism, but by the avoidance of the type of article which treats the N.Z.U.S.A. as the subject for flippant and destructive wit.

I feel certain that if the N.Z.U.S.A. is accorded the support which it deserves it will continue to grow and become an even more valuable centralisation point for universities of New Zealand.