Socialist Club Notes

The V.U.C. Socialist Club was inaugurated on April 1st, 1946, with the following objects:?

1. To further the study and propagation of socialist opinion.

2. To further political activity of a socialist character among students.

3. To encourage students to organise for the fulfilment of their responsibilities and the maintenance of their rights.

4. To bring students into contact with the Labour Movement and the working class.

The formation of a Socialist Club in the College is a most important development. It is symptomatic of one of the most hopeful signs in this troubled era; that a large number of students of all countries are climbing out of their pre-war ivory towers of political apathy, and realising that their destiny is inseparately linked with that of the broad masses of the world.

At the first committee meeting of the club, it was resolved that "the Socialist Club should be an active body and concern itself with supporting local campaigns of a progressive nature." In many respects the Club has not fulfilled its proper functions. Dur-ing the year the Club has held five meetings in the College and three more intimate Sunday evening discussions. Although very well attended, the meetings have handled very little general business directly concerned with student affairs.

The second meeting of the year was held in the form of a symposium, led by three outside speakers on the subject "What Socialism means to me." Three different schools of socialist thought were represented. Mr Wilson (editor of the "Standard") a Social-democrat, presented the gradualist theory on very much the same lines as the traditional British Labour Parties. Mr Birchfield, one-time president of the Wellington Tramwaymen's Union, and a prominent Wellington Communist, showed how a Marxist considers such questions as the state, democracy, etc. Mr F. L. Combs, M.A., an old and staunch friend of the College assumed an intermediate position. His address was witty and amusing and his remarks on education were a valuable contribution to the evening.

Mr Gordon Mirams addressed the Club on "Socialism and the Film." The general opinion of the meeting was firstly that films, like the press and radio, are a commodity, and, secondly, that even in the sphere of "pure entertainment" they are fundamentally a tool of the capitalist class and used primarily for the purpose of maintaining the status quo.

At the Club's third meeting, socialists from the S. C. M. led a panel discussion on "The Christian Basis for Socialist Political Action. "The Christian's criteria for such action is" justice and respon-

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sibility to God." Although many non-Christians disagreed with this a very friendly atmosphere prevailed and while many Christians recognised the Communist Party as the only real socialist party in N.Z. and supported its practical policy the Communists present warmly applauded all Christian Socialists who would support them on practical issues.

On August 13th, Mr Bruce Skilton a prominent trade unionist and National Committee member of the C.P. addressed the Club on "Socialism and the Trade Unions." He gave a brief historical sketch and summed up the present situation in N.Z. very adequately. Most students were impressed by the fact that a worker, with only the barest minimum of formal education, but with his extensive background of knowledge, could make such a penetrating analysis of conditions in N.Z.

At the last meeting this year a resolution was passed that "the Government be urged to break off all trade relations with Franco Spain." It was also resolved to set up a publications Committee to print leaflets and if possible a newspaper giving Socialists' opinions on questions of importance to students and to help carry out, in practice, the spirit of the constitution.

In the ensuing year the following definite proposals have been made:—

1. To have regular fortnightly meetings on subjects of general interest.

2. To hold regular fortnightly Sunday evening discussions on subjects of a more fundamental socialist nature.

3. To bring out a newspaper.