Salient: An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 11, No. 11, September 22nd, 1948

N.Z.U.S.A. Conference

N.Z.U.S.A. Conference

The keynote of a major portion of N.Z.U.S.A.'s discussions at the Winter Tournament conference was ways and means of saving money. Not only did delegates from C.U.C., A.U.C., and O.U. mention it in their reports, but other motions were passed in an attempt to solve the financial problem.

Winter Tournament Constitution

A tedious hour or two was passed on the Winter Tournament Constitution. The thirty-nine clauses were taken singly, with little or no discussion on most. Attempts to cut down the cost resulted in eight amendments to the constitution:

Moved Symon, CUC: That Tournament be cut down from eight days to five. These five days allow for four days for sport and one rest day.

Moved Symon, CUC: That in future there be no emergencies for fencing teams.

Moved Symon, CUC: That the miniature rifle shooting contest be removed from Tournament and the ICI Shield be decided by postal results. After some discussion it was decided that this would be unsatisfactory owing to differing range conditions and it was finally decided to keep the contest in, but to cut the team down from four men to three.

Moved Symon, CUC: That golf be eliminated from Winter Tournament.

Moved Symon, CUC: That it was impractical to hold a press conference. This was passed with the remark by Mr. O'Brien (VUC) that they had served no use in the past.

Moved Symon, CUC: That no additional sport be admitted to Winter Tournament before 1950.

Moved Symon, CUC: That no sum of more than 10 be allotted to any haka party. (Interjection, Grey (OU) I'd be happier if it was tenpence.)

The only further amendment to the constitution was the decision to make the Drama Festival a two-night season instead of one as at present. The findings of the Conference were submitted to the Tournament Committee.

N.Z.U.S.A. Dinner

The delegates decided to make their dinners annual only. This was met with a certain amount of regret from those who had not participated in the dinner at the Easter Conference.

The plea of saving money was used by Mr. Taylor when suggestions were received on the dates for N.Z.U.S.A. Conferences in the future. It had been decided that conferences would not be held in conjunction with Tournaments as billeting would be simpler at other times. The chairman. Mr. Taylor, put forward a proposal that conferences be held only in Wellington and Christchurch, as travelling to these two would be less expensive, but this did not meet with approval by the delegates. It was decided finally to hold the meetings during or about the May and August vacations, with a suggestion by Mr. O'Brien (VUC) who hoped that he did not offend anyone's sensibilities by proposing Anzac weekend for a conference.

IUS Disaffiliation Motion Lost

Mr. Symon (CUC) in moving a motion of disaffiliation from IUS used the plea that the returns for the fee of 2d. a head was not worth the expenditure. C.A.C. seconded the motion, pro forma, so as the conference could discuss the matter. Mr. Symon went on to say that he had a letter from Mr. Dodd which polned out that IUS was rapidly becoming dominated by the Eastern bloc.

Mr. Grey (OU) expressed the opinion that as IUS was a world organisation New Zealand students "should be in to win." He had read reports sent out by Mr. Symon and Mr. Redrupp and in his opinion these were more important than Mr. Dodd's letter, into which personal political views obtruded rather much.

The VUC and AUC delegates agreed with Mr. Grey's views, and Mr. Dowrick said that in his opinion it might be a good thing if the HQRS of IUS were moved from Prague to some other capital of Europe. The chairman mentioned that a report had been received from Canadian students suggesting that NZUSA support the removal of IUS HQRS from Prague to Paris and also the provision of proper Standing Orders, and the motion passed stating that the meeting of N.Z.U.S.A. supporting the removal of the Headquarters of IUS to some other centre (preferably in Western Europe) and the provision of efficient Standing Orders, which should be of such a nature that they can be understood by all delegates.

NZSLF Bursary Scheme

Mr. O'Brien (VUC) moved that the meeting of USA accept in principle the proposals for a revised bursary scheme put forward by NZSLF and forward them to the proper authorities.

He stated that these proposals had already been discussed by a staff student meeting and at the general meeting it had been decided to carry the plan to NZUSA.

Discussion followed, principally in the practicability of means and merit tests. A certain amount of disagreement was expressed at the number as some delegates thought that 1,000 were too many. Mr. Hunt (OU) thought that it would be a good idea if a student need not accept the bursary as soon as he leaves school; it should be possible for him to have a year between his advent at university and his leaving school to learn something "of the ways of the world." The chairman stated that he' had recently read a report by the Labour Department which had stated that there were too many professions, and New Zealand needed more-labourers. It was finally decided to pass the motion, and a sub-committee, consisting of Messrs. Taylor, Tizzard. Johnson, Milk and Miss Langford, was set up to inquire into the proposals.

Congress Report

Mr. Dowrick, the vice-chairman, read a report on the progress made by the Congress Committee. Among the speakers who had arranged to come were Mr, H. C. D. Somerset, to speak on the University and the Community; Mr. Bertram, Mr. Pliscke, Mr. A. J. D. Barker and [ unclear: several] others.

A discussion followed on the entries to Congress. From Otago 31 people had applied, 30 from Victoria, 18 from AUC and 10 from CUC.

Mr. Tizzard (AUC) stated that the £2 required with the entry form had decided a number against it, as they objected to making their plans so far ahead. He also remarked that the "rules" referred to in the application form were upsetting some people, but with Mr. Dowrick's assurance that early morning swims were not required he seemed relieved.

NZUSA Delegates To NUAUS

This caused a great deal of confusion with various names being put forward and finally the Conference went into Committee for half-an-hour with a final decision to send two delegates. Mr. O'Brien (VUC) and Mr. Tizzard (AUC).

Adoption of Chinese University

Massey College received a paternal pat on the back for their decision to adopt an agricultural college in China. This means that the funds obtained from work-days would be sent direct to this university instead of through the Headquarters.