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

Second Student Labour Federation Conference

Second Student Labour Federation Conference

"Students can play a Very important part in the labour and socialist movement." said Mr. Winston Rhodes, lecturer at the Canterbury University College, in opening the Winter Conference of the N.Z. Student Labour Federation at the Canterbury Trades Hall. The conference included representatives from the Socialist, Labour and Radical Clubs of the four main University Colleges.

The Government proposals for conscription were strenuously opposed by the conference as being severely injurious to the interests of students and youth generally. Peace-time conscription would lower the standard of living of the New Zealand people and help to build a psychology of war. The Government's decision to set up a Scientific Corps was also condemned in the following terms:

"That this conference protests against the formation of a Scientific Defence Corps and considers the militarisation of science to be a threat to fundamental scientific research and to the traditions of free exchange of information which is essential for scientific progress."

The federation's proposals for improved bursaries, which have been endorsed in principle by the N.Z. University Students' Association, are now being forwarded to the Government. The conference also discussed at length the rising costs of living as it affects students, particularly through soaring costs of clothing, board and text-books. Further research on these questions will be conducted in the coming period.

The exclusion of Maoris from the New Zealand football team to be sent to South Africa was the subject of bitter criticism. "We should refuse to send a team at all and thus bring home to the South African Government the contempt in which it is held by the people of a democratic world." said one speaker. The N.Z. University Rugby Council is to be urged to make representations to the N.Z. Rugby Union to this end.

The international outlook of the University Socialist movement was revealed by the importance placed on events overseas. The suppression of student and other youth bodies in India and the Malayas was discussed and a resolution carried urging the complete restoration of free rights of organisation for students and trade unionists in those countries.

Despite recent attacks on the World Federation of Democratic Youth, a resolution was passed affirming the N.Z.S.L. Federation's affiliation to this body. It was considered that the democratic character of the world federation, its progressive aims of world peace and improved standards for youth, and its recognition of the United Nations Organisation, as well as its vast world-wide following, made it an organisation worthy of the support of all associations of New Zealand youth.

The conference revealed that the Socialist and Labour Clubs in the New Zealand University are co-ordinated, strong and confident. Their aims of educational advance, world peace and democratic progress are receiving even wider support from the students of New Zealand.