Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 20. August 27 1979

n Open Clique

[ unclear: n] Open Clique

[ unclear: ar] Sir,

I would like to try and reply to the letters and [ unclear: cles] that there have been recently critcising [ unclear: lient] and the 'Salient clique'.

Now, at least up until recently, and perhaps [ unclear: en] now, I had little difficulty accepting that [ unclear: re] was such a clique, and it was because of this [ unclear: at] I did not support the motion of no [ unclear: fidence] in Mr Tees at a recent meeting. [ unclear: wever], I also believe in putting my money, as were, where my mouth is, so decided to [ unclear: ually] come and work on Salient in order to [ unclear: d] out the truth for myself.

Perhaps at this stage I should also clarify my [ unclear: n] political position. I am not, firstly, a [ unclear: munist] or a socialist: the genocide commited [ unclear: ring] the invasion of Tibet and other [ unclear: munist] atrocities have decided me on this [ unclear: int]. However, neither am I right-wing. I think [ unclear: m] a conservatist Buddhist, which includes a [ unclear: ge] of opinions, some of which would be [ unclear: sidered] extreme right-wing and others as [ unclear: eme] left-wing in terms of current western [ unclear: ught].

Having gone into Salient and 'blown up' [ unclear: grily] at some communist articles printed this [ unclear: r], I thought that I would have some difficulty [ unclear: ng] accepted. Instead, I found that my [ unclear: ons] and willingness to help were accepted [ unclear: d] even welcomed. I found no evidence of [ unclear: munist] 'blackballing'.

So, I would like to make one thing clear: I find [ unclear: bturd] that a letter or article says that Salient is willing to tolerate or encourage alternative [ unclear: wpoints], when I am spending hours helping [ unclear: t], proof-read, lay out and so forth such [ unclear: cles]. Getting Salient out may involve me, with [ unclear: ers], staying up till one a.m. or over in the [ unclear: rning] and spending a lot of time laying out [ unclear: cles] criticising Salient in very objectionable [ unclear: ms]. But I do it, and think that the others here too (and there are people of all political [ unclear: des] here), because I strongly believe that each [ unclear: son] should be allowed and encouraged to [ unclear: we] his (or her) say. I would very much like to [ unclear: e] those who criticise putting effort into the [ unclear: gazine].

Your most humble and obedient servant.

Lady Crunch-Pikelet.