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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1936. Volume 7. Number 12.

The Australian Student League

The Australian Student League

That students are facing up to the tremendous problems of a collapsing society, that they are abandoning the "above the battle-field" attitude and actively struggling to defeat reaction and suppression is evident from news received from many quarters.

The National Student League of America unites thousands of students in a splendid militancy and can bring out 150,000 students to strike against war.

Students in colonnial countries like Egypt and China are protesting and organising against foreign domination.

But what of Australia and New Zealand?

From news received within the last few days, it would seem that something of more than ordinary significance is occurring in the Australian student world. An Australian Student League is in the process of formation. A conference was held during January, in the form of a camp; 50 delegates attended and organisational committees were set up. The following excerpt from a recently issued Bulletin gives an outline of the scheme:—

Aims.—To unite all students, graduates, and teachers for Peace, Freedom and Progress.

For Peace.—Opposition to militarism in schools and universities, examination of tendencies in teaching which justify war. Prevention of the use of university research for war purposes.

For Freedom.—Defence of the rights of critical expression, opposition to repressive legislation, such as Book Censorship and Crimes Act., etc., etc., and more self-governmet for students.

For Progress.—Increased financial grants for education. Better facilities for social intercourse among students. Attempts to lower costs of books and instruments. Improvement of economic position of graduates.

Organisational work is now well under way. On April 4, an Australia-wide Congress was held. Representatives from all university societies (including faculty societies), the Students' Representative Council, the Professorial Board, representatives from the senior students and staff of all secondary schools, from various eachers' unions, and from headmasters' and headmistresses' associations. Also a four-page Student Paper to sell at Id. is to be issued, probably monthly, by the League.

It seems certain that the League will be a success, and that Australian students will be placed in the van of the world movement for Peace, Freedom and Progress. Let us hope that it shall not be long before New Zealand students put "as" in Australian.

"There is no more indpendence in politics than there is in goal." —Will Rogers.

Altogether a picture well worth seeing and thinking about; a welcome change from the superficial inanities of modern profit-seeking producers.