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It is time some fresher expressed appreciation of Mr. Meek's article, For Freshers Only. Mr. Ewen's "dancing star" illustrates exactly the long influence of one-sided propaganda which Mr. Meek deplores. "The pernicious ravings of the capitalist press" and one might add, of the B. B. C., have so biassed his judgment that he maligns one of another view as a 'poseur', and thus shirks the responsibility of seriously considering his philosophy.
It is for us, freshers, not to nurse wrath at our injured pride, but to endeavour not to be like the average fresher described - not to think in erroneous terms, but to overhaul thoroughly the foundations of our beliefs, and to consider for a moment the possibility that opinions other than our own may be right. Many of us realise already that we must subject our fundamental ideas to an acid test before we can think intelligently. By so doing we do not necessarily arrive at any one particular, conclusion rather than another; we may confirm our faith in our previous beliefs, but either way, we cease to repeat parrot-wise the second-hand wisdom of other minds.
Mr. Meek's first six fallacies have been readily acknowledged as fallacious; the seventh has aroused controversy. Mr. Woodward points out that the existence of the soul is an open question. That is just why Mr. Meek is right in claiming that it is a fallacy to accept it as a preved fact.
In conclusion, I trust that if some freshers are students and not still schoolboys, Mr. meek's "exquisite little verbal bombs" may perform another function than to "waste paper". If they prompt some students to think originally they will have done a noble task, for only through doubt and criticism lies the path to truth.
Evolution and R-evolution.
The article in last Salient on Social Democracy or Lenin and Lenart is "Much Ado About Nothing", but for its references to evolution and revolution and these words: "Let us be realists. Let us not shrink from the inevitable struggle".
Any sound social system mast be both evolutionary and revolutionary, the latter being a development of the former. The intrinsic idea underlying evolution is not so much that which evolves as evolition, pertaining to the will. The beginning and end of evolution in science is wrapped up with infinite assumptions "Ever learning, yet never attaining to the Truth". Evolution is comparable to the effect produced by the Earth on its own atoms, by the rotation on its own axis. The whole outlook in life is limited by the immediate surroundings or environment. There is no proper sense of direction. The individual becomes self centred in himself, in his possessions and his pride. The same principle applies to all earth dwellers. The only light they know is the nearest light which revolves round themselves, such as the reflected light of the Moon which, gives them moonshine and a distorted vision. The corrective is the complementary revolution of the Earth, with its human spores, around the greater light, the Sun which is the cause of its being. Man must adjust himself and his need's to the pattern of the Earth in the solar system, which is evolutionary in its daily necessities but revolutionary in its onward march. The Spirit of Truth from the Sun can lift man out of his unhappy environment by the power of the will.
I fear that Mr. Even has hit upon the truth when he calls himself "just another half-baked intellectual snob." It is regretable, for his letter is one of the most refreshingly rude efforts that has ever appeared in Salient. That it was in all probability warranted under the circumstances does not alter the fact that one of his seeming intelligence has committed a blunder more particularly peculiar to freshers. His letter is clever, but seems to suffer from the same essential pride as the letter of which he complains. Admittedly most writing is more or less a protusion of the writer's ego for his own satisfaction, but there are some writers who have reached that stage of commonsense where they have the decency to conceal it. I would suggest that this be one of the first lessons which Mr. Ewen might learn at a University, and it is applicable, not only, though it would seem primarily, to Mr. Ewen and his fellow freshers.
Salient gets many letters and articles that are a little too undisguisedly mountains of intellectual pride, and it seems not out of order to draw attention to the fact. I think I am perhaps correct in suggesting that in the end Salient does not exist purely to satisfy the ego's of its writers, but also has the somewhat minor purpose of interesting its readers. This is not meant to be cynical or ironical. From one then of Mr. Ewen's evident ability a little humility would be very welcome. Mr. Ewen and his contemporaries who appeared the week before, seem to this uncritical eye to be the "goods", but if only they would stop using such big words we poor slightly-elders night understand them.
Not being a great "common-room philosopher", I sometimes sit and listen. Omitting the brawl concerned with the performance of "Mitti" in the last race, most discussions usually contain the elements of new thought directed against conservatism.
For this reason; I have tried to analyse conservatism. My analysis falls into four categories and since I am concerned with a psychological state, it is permissable for me to represent each category by a different person:—
Next time that you take the conservative attitude in any
"Bring out the rostrum, boys", says Three-in-one Cakefield in "Centennial Scandals".
But there's another sort of rostrum to he brought out shortly. "Rostrum", the annual literary publication of the New Zealand University Students' Association, will be published early in July. The editorial hoard is this year composed of Victoria College students.
Contributions are already rolling in, and there is evidently going to he great competition for the honour of having a contribution accepted by "Rostrum".
Write for "Rostrum" today.
And we want a woodcut design for the front cover, too.
Help us make this year's "Rostrum" a big success. For further details, see the notice-board.
Is it true that Kate Ross and George Eiby...?
Professor McGeehan (at Capping) "The Students' Union is an all-embracing bodyy. Aw, Whui.
Sad fall, we hear that during Extray. Scotney gave up drinking firewater and took to beerwater.
And that members of John Carrad's show, having developed a taste for encores, carried them into dressing-room 13?
Devine cookery. Recipe - for tea - Take I 1b. butter, I tin sardines, I. jar honey, 4 chicken-soup" cubes, and I 1b: neutral sausage. Deal with as discretion suggests.
Is it true that Love and Omar don't mix?
Word comes from A. T. S. McGhie that he is engaged in organising the food production effort of the residents of the Frimley (London) borough. His spare time voluntary wartime civil defence job has to do with the control of the borough's civilian defence forces.
The Physical Education Committee of the British Medical Association has made the hold and forceful statement that, "All Universities should make provision for the physical education of undergraduates". This field of education, which has been sadly neglected in New Zealand, was the subject of a report to the New Zealand University Students' Association. Mr. Begg, of Otago University, compiler of the report, proposes a minimum policy, which includes some of the more successful aspects of the American schemes incorporated in a more modest way to meet the needs of the New Zealand universities.
The most important items to he provided are:
Medical examination for all first year students, with a view to pointing out any defects, and indicating a suitable course of physical activities. Optional examinations after the first year. The examinations to to of an advisory nature, and a poor report would not debar a student from attendance at university.A director of physical education, who would he an advisor to students in all matters pertaining to sports, but would not interfere with the executive side of games administration. He should be a member of the college staff. A competent director specialised in modern training with an ability to make "physical fitness" attractive, would he essential.Facilities for physical education. No university is properly equipped without
Facilities for outdoor games and athletics. In this respect facilities are much better, but an accurate assessment is needed of the number of students taking an active part in sport.
This programme is certainly not a lavish one, and could be put into operation with a minimum outlay on materials and buildings. A second point in favour is that the Government are interested in this kind of necessary work, and all efforts should be made to bring the New Zealand universities into line with the rest of the world. Sports clubs committees are urged to discuss and propagate discussion on the matters covered above, and to send in to Salient the result of their observations. This is a most important scheme.
* * * * *
The bashful Spaniardess apparently finds the amorous Spaniard so menacing to her virtue
That she has to employ a duenna so that he shan't duennacing to her virtue.
In reply to the criticisms of my letters which were published in your last copy, I would draw the attention of the writer and other's who hold his views, to the following facts which I think, are undeniable. First, though war aims were not included in the Government's electoral platform, I am still correct in saying that war was declared by the Government in accord with the wishes of the majority of the people. Second, the Government cannot be accused of deserting the workers and people for militarists and capitalists, when they still have the support in the war of all but a small minority of the workers and people, including those who disagree with the Government's Internal policy.
I again state that anyone who declares that England is the aggressor and undeserving of New Zealand support is not a pacifist. Surely a pacifist is one who opposes all war, not one particular war. In addressing an appeal to all true pacifists to support the war effort in non-military ways, it is because this war is, I am still convinced, a fight against aggression, it was not England who invaded Poland, Denmark, Norway, or Czechoslovakia. I would point out to them that many who have the inconsistency to call themselves pacifists, at the same time advocate revolution. Socialists, if they think over this problem, may also realise that a German victory would undo all that has been done towards establishing a socialistic democracy.
In reference to your editorial, I fear I cannot spare the time to collect data to answer your statements in full. But I would point out that in
In July of this term, ROSTRUM, the annual production of the N.Z.U.S.A. Contributions—verse, prose, articles, lino-cuts, a cover design—are solicited, and should be in the hands of The Editor, Rostrum, c/o Salient, V.U.C., not later than June 15th.
On Friday May 31st, at 6p.m. in the Gym, the Debating Society will hold its first debate of the term on the subject "That the war is an Imperialistic brawl dict ted by the contradictions of capitalism. Speakers will be Miss W. S. Sutch, and Messrs. Lowin, Witheford and Powell.
At the King's Birthday Weekend the S.C.K. will hold a camp at the Prosbyterien Manse at Plimmerton. Those interested are invited to communicate with the Secretary.
Also at the King's Birthday weekend, a splendid trump is offered—a northern crossing of the Tararuas under the leadership of Paul Powell.
On Friday June 14th, at 8p.m. in the Gym, the Society for the Discussion of Peace, War, and Civil Liberties will hold a discussion on the subject "my way to peace," led by well-known Wellington speakers.
To produce an extravaganza in the short tine of two weeks is no mean feat; and for it to be played to a nighty appreciative audience on the first night without any major hitch reflects great credit on the producers, Ralph Hogg and John Carrad, and the stage manager, Denis Feeney. Ralph, in particular, is to be congratulated on licking together "Centennial Scandals". He surmounted the hurdle of tine in a manner that illustrates his great abulity as a producer.
It is unfortunate that most Varsity choruses start off weakly, (due probably to lack of practice), and "Let us Have a Conference" was no exception. However, once into their stride, there was no lack of vigour. Of the music, original by J. McLaughlin, I liked "Centennial Blues" best, and also the appearance and disappearance of Professor Freud, plus footlights, into the orchestra on the second night.
Then to John Carrad's show. John has a reputation for original words and music. "What a lady Josephine must have been." He did not disappoint us in "You Can't Pick a Winner". "Ragtime Lay" and "Eldorado" I rank as amongst John's best productions, and "Drifting down Caroline Bay" was not far behind. Captain Cook (Paul Taylor) and Miss Centenary (Paul Powell) stood out amongst the principals. The first, for his singing (one of the best that V.U.C. has produced), and the second as being particularly seductive and enticing. The
"Unto Meek a child was born", This is Ron's best show to date, not only from the point of view of maintenance of interest but also for general punch. Although the Past Present and Future were loosely linked, Dr. Weevilbole being the only connection, this was covered up by Swingy Tawiwi (Barry Ervine) with his dramatic and entertaining broadcasts.
The stage setting in Act 1 Scene 1, "Somewhere in Ao Toheroa", was most colourful, as was the costuming; which by the way was, throughout the whole of "The Scandals" of a high standard, and Wardrobe Mistresses should receive no little raise. Dr. John Weevilbole (N. Beatus) Whui (Dennis Hartley) and Whui Tu (Diana Shaw) are deserving of commendation and especially the (I nearly said missing) link Weevilbole. As for Captain Rook (D.M. Saker), a young lady asked me after the show who the chap was with the flashing eyes and shining teeth.
The Interlewd "Somewhere in London" with the Capitalists song reminded me of a book called "Studies in a dying culture)"
Boloney Beach was notable for Three-in-One Cakefield (R.P. Kellaway), the Maori Chorus "Tena Koo, Ao Toheroa", and the Moas. The latter commonly, called the Moas out of Mike Mitchell (Properties) were little Masterpieces. I thought, however that they were a little too staid throughout the whole proceedings.
A pointed Interlewd with a Bishop in which the Maoris were denuded of their titles to land was subtle and effective.
In the Maitangi scene, the Maoris signed under false protoncos before Robsem (P. Graham). Then to Lord Bloodyslow, accent correct, attire and accoutrements similar, and did the audience like him! Maitangi closed with-a-rousing chorus - "Roll out the barrel!" The wahire s and warriors gave verve to the scenes.
Cinderella's kitchen had an uncertain response from the crowd. They laughed at the entrances of the Fairy Godfather (G. Higgin). They could not fathom the rest, except for the antics of the cat (J. V. Scott) which added a little humour that toned the general seriousness of this act. The Ugly Sisters (R. L. Meek and J. McCreary) were really aggressive creatures. Cinderella (Margaret Freeman) gave the right atmosphere of uncertainty as to whether she should go to the Ball or not. But she had no option for an apt Moloch (J. E. Norman), supported by the required pressure of the Fairy Godfather, demanded that she should dismiss the Communists and go to the Ball, the latter significantly saying "Our time will come!"
The leap into the future envisages a land void of masculinity except for Weevilbole, the Scarecrow (R. L. Meek) and the Tin Man (J. McCreary). A background of futuristic buildings represents the City of the Wizard that Voz. The Apple chorus was bright and snappy. Full of Vim. An entrance by the Scarecrow and Tin Man, the former withott a brain, the latter without a heart A short ballot with most appropriate actions. I liked the swing of the trio "Said the Scarecrow", To get in to the City that Woz was the aim of the pioneer and Maori women. The oracle, however, turns out to be Dr. Weevilbole who has lost the key to the City.
Music throughout was under the capable direction of Miss Joan Wollerman and Messrs. J. McLaughlin and B. P. Pierard.
A partie ularly good finale to the Internationale ends a daring (?) but successful production that places on record at least one function during the Centennial year that is not marred by traditional Blah. So be it.
Sir,—Why aren't we making use of cur powers of psychology? The German Fuehrer and his crow of assassins may not come within the range of Allied guns, but they cannot hide from our powers of thought. By the use of these powers we could send them to their "own place". We could do this, not vengefully, but in the spirit of even-handed justice.
Years ago the famous Dr. Joseph Parker, of the City Temple, London, electrified his great congregation by exclaiming, "God damn the Sultan!" He said this reverently, and used the words as prayer. Cannot we wish similarly with regard to those who are not men but mad dogs?—I am, etc.
"It is 100 years ago since the identical spot (Waitangi) which figured in today's celebrations was the scene of a remarkable gathering, which has been described as rivalling that at Runnymede, when King John Signed the Magna Carta of the British people."
"Telegrams from the Governor General, Lord Galway and Lady Galway, the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage and the mayor and borough council of Eketahuna were received by Mrs. Emily Jane Bassett on her ninety-ninth birthday recently. Mrs. Bassett has retained her facilities to an astonishing degree."
"Dominion"
"It's either a hell of a soismic disturbance or
Harry Holland turning over in his grave,"
The following is an extract from an article called the "Army and its Air Arm" by C. G. Grey in the "Aeroplane" of the
"My friend Major +Alfred Williams, who is known to all in British aviation as one of the world's finest pilots, and formerly as one of the atar aviators of the United States Navy, and now writes a daily piece in the Scripps-Howard chain of newspapers in the States, whose circulation runs into millions, has his own theories on this subject. (Heavy bombing of civilian populations) Says he:
'The air forces see some action, just enough to keep them aware that they are training for the big test - if and when it comes. Air casualties so far have not been high enough to do more than inspire flying men to deeds of glory. An acrobatic contest that had run as long as this war has been on would likely have shown a comparable death list.
There are enough bombers in Europe right now to stop the intricate community machinery without which we cannot live huddled together in millions.
The true role of air power is to stop this machinery and thus break the will of a people to fight. Without electricity, water, sewerage, communications, heat and light, a modern community becomes uninhabitable and a centre of pestilence and epidemic.
Why haven't these bombers been turned loose? Is it because the political leaders of this age are more humano than, those of
Don't believe them when they tell you the bombers cannot get through the anti-aircraft and single seater defences. Operating on heckling ratios, they have gotten through, even though only a dozen at a time have tried There are thousands of bombers, and only a few hundreds need break through to stop London, Paris or Berlin. It seems man has at last built a Frankenstein he dare not use. There is revolution and government breakdown in the wake of its use.
This is the war airmen have predicted would put every government official and politician on the firing line in more ways than one. Think this over - in more ways than one. If the British didn't fear reprisal, they would go to it right now. So would the Germans. This is a hard war to keep going. It is not a holy war, neither is it an emotional war. It's a short order war, a calculated economic war. A slip of mass psychology either way can end it... either way.
There is another intricate factor. The Western nations of Europe fear Communism, and Communism is the finale to breakdown of Government. And, by strange paradox, Communism in Germany means Imminent throat to France and England. Turn Europe's air power loose and this unparalleled type of war would end in a few hours. But it's to the end that the political leaders of all three nations are looking. Invoke the ending of an all-out air war, and you have revolution, and revolution means that the heads of politicians will roll.
Each group wants victory, but not at the risk of losing their heads. In lieu of a more logical reason, this is my answer as to the refusal to turn air power loose.
God grant that this fear may effect a restraint that reason could never achieve."
A conviction that International Order could only be achieved with and through a compulsory International Court was expressed by Professor McGechan, speaking on "The Observance of International Law" in his inaugural lecture at V. U. C.
An over-insistence on the definition of law as the command of a sovereign, he said, had led to a denial that International Law was law at all. But the impressive record of the Permanent Court of International Justice, which was so often resorted to as a means to finality in diplomatic wrangles that it had to sit all the year round, not to mention the diplomatic law of immunity, showed that International Law was not to be dismissed as non-existent.
The effectiveness of International Law depended of the annexation of legal consequences to its breaches. The expulsion of a Covenant-breaker from, the League, as enforced against. Russia for her aggression in Finland, was obviously a weapon that the League could control. This Professor McGechan contrasted with the economic blockade in its present form, which even when it was applied on the concurrence of 40 or so national opinions, required the continued support of all these.
The future importance of expulsion from the League as a legal consequence, depended on the extent of the benefits of the co-operation of other nations, and this in turn on the amount of co-operation. What International Law needed was many more such automatic consequences and therein lay one of the important arguments for a compulsory court. The matter seldom turned on the quality of the consequence alone. It was virtually impossible to apply economic sanctions to a large number of wars.
Professor McGechan pointed out the analogy between the hopelessness of outlawing war by a treaty, however solemn, and the impossibility found by America, of enforcing the Volstead or Prohibition Act - to breaches of neither was it possible to annex legal consequences.
"Would it not be better for the body of nations, or the majority thereof, or better still a Court, to sanction the legal right to make war to remedy specified injuries?" he asked. That sanction would be sought, and the mere seeking of it would reduce the number of wars without it. The prospect of a sanctioned war would effectively discourage conduct which would occasion it.
The superior capacity of an International Court for reaching finality was shown by she increasing number of cases sent by the League Council to the permanent court for its advisory opinion.
Professor McGechan hoped that the world would continue to consist of a number of states no one of which could successfully overcome the determination of all the others to meet with force any resistance to legal consequences. Unfortunately, the majority of states under present conditions of International Law were either too unprepared, too uninterested, or too pusillanimous for an international hue and cry to be raised.
Small nations would seldom contest the annexation of legal consequences to their acts, and a Great Power could only do so when the other Great Powers failed to combine to sufficient extent to compel these consequences.
Professor McGechan saw no alternative, therefore, if International Law was to toe observed, but for it to be in conformity with the wishes of the Great Powers - that is, laws acceptable to the majority of small powers, but not to the majority of the Great Powers should not he part of International Law.
"For the rest, the picture is not altogether gloomy", he said. After war, conditions were definitely favourable to International Law, Progress had been made for a decade and a half after
("A united Empire, or 'my England right or wrong' must take precedence today in all deliberations in a Dominion such as New Zealand". Mr. Cheviot Bell, at the annual conference of the Wellington Division of the National Party).
I struggled through Saroyan, but "the emotion evident in me" forced me to abandon the blasphemous coprology of the "Grapes of Wrath" at Chapter 2, and to return to the realas of gold from which I had been suddenly roused by the distant challenge of the writer of a "Short Discourse of Poetry".
Ballad-mongers, penny-a-liners, witling spinsters, furnace- breasted Don Juans, film-stars with secret sorrows, devotees of the latest corn-cure, futurists, classicists, nihilists, impressionists, Surrealists - all have desecrated the sacred shrine of poetry by offering on it to the muses the murdered and mutilated ecstasies which they have deemed too passionate to be couched in mundane prose. None of these are poets, nor any of their works true poetry; class then as versifiers and their product verse.
Poets are those rare visionarios blessed with an intense prophetic power, who, living in the light of an anticipated eternity, translate into the hearts of other men those divine mysteries which they alone can comprehend.
Poetry is eternal, but prose must die Prose will remain in use as long as there exist some human imperfections, some worldly problems, some enigmas unsolved. But poetry, being divine, transcends things worldly, outstrips time and space and is as immutable as the divine spirit from which it springs. For prose is of man and it mirrors the doubts, the fears, the conflicts, the limitations of man's mind It is the slave of argument, criticism, exposition, end the other expressions of severely logical mentality. But poetry has no worldly fetters, no creed, no faction and it belongs to no age. It is the sublime escape from materialism, ant the purest and the noblest of human passions - - a lust for eternity.
The author of the "Short Discourse" being indisposed, the Literary Editor takes it upon himself to reply.
God save us! You who are litterateurs will remember with what odium the Quarterly Review, attacked the Cockney poets, and John Keats. But the epithets of these righteous gentlemen are sweet as honey compared with "blasphemous coprology". The world has many a one and one age wears scarlet and another purple, what is apt for one age is out of place in the next - so if the "Grapes of Wrath" is not clad in the holy light of Shelley, we have no right to be perverse. This is twentieth century, and writers obey themselves and their audience.
I agree wholly with the spirit of this defence of poets. Poets are" the mirrors of the gigantic shadows which futurity casts upon the present, the words which express what they understand not the trumpets which sing to battle .. the unacknowledged legislators of the world." But recognising this, how are we to decide in Individual cases, and should any decision be made?
It seems to no that John Steinbeck is the author of some thing more eternal than most of our "poets". If this be true he is poet, and it is falso to draw a distiaction between prose and poetry saying one is eternal and divine, the other reeks of materialism. . There is no distinction except that of form. Both are the children of the blind urge to create which impels men through the mises of the world, and both are twins born of man's doubts, fears, conflicts, desires and aspirations. Both prose and poetry are Digressions, to be read and enjoyed. Let there be no standards. Above, all we must remember the ago decides - will always decide - cannot escape the mystery and mastery of the age.
It was these lines of the Battle Hymn of the Republic that gave John Steinbeck the inspiration for the title of his tremendous indictment of the present rotten economic system. The insignificance of human life where profits are concerned is brought out in all its starkness. People who dislike the message of the book may cavil at its obscenity, but few people could fail to be impressed by this passionate, white-hot indictment of the system which condemns millions to a life of poverty and squalor, which starves men, women and children with delightful impartiality, and which brands as "Reds", "foreign agitators", those who attempt to band themselves together to secure the bare minimum for a tolerable existence.
It tells the story of a Kansas dust-bowl family forced off their farm by big business, who are lured by inviting leaflets to trek to the "Sunshine state", California. These leaflets distributed by the thousand by big Californian farming interests, promise abundant and well-paid labour picking fruit in Californian orchards. In reply to a leaflet promising work for a few hundred people, thousands of refugees from the dust and drought stricken areas flock to California. When they try to get work they find that anyone who will not accept the employers' terms may starve, and watch his wife and family do the same.
The Joads, who set out with such high hopes, are terribly disillusioned. Casey, a former itinerant preacher who has accompanied them on their long trek, attempts to organizo a strike against a wage which, in the words of one of the characters, "you couldn't starve on"; has his skull smashed in by a pick- handle, wielded by a drunken deputy upholding the interests of law and order. Tom Joad does the samo by the deputy and becomes a hunted criminal.
Although this book does not and up on a very hopeful note the author has all through indicated that capitalism is digging its own grave. And perhaps the most significant passage in the book is that where he predicts that one day the workers will "stop praying"
The proposed Physical Education scheme for Undergraduates as outlined in this issue, is of paramount importance to College Sports Clubs. It is by discussion of this problem by Clubs and Club Committees that such a scheme can be started.
Generally, during such a period as the present, club functions and especially sporting activities are allowed to lapse. In the interests of Sports clubs, this attitude is definitely wrong. In times of war it is most important that these activities should be carried on, even if it is necessary to do so in a modified form, otherwise the Student Body and Clubs must suffer through loss of sound administration.
The Physical Education scheme is an excellent project and College Sports Clubs should rally round the Executive and endeavour to induce the College Council to give the scheme their support in a practical manner.
The benefits derived from this project will be felt by the College, not only in the field of sport, but also in the general standard of physique of the Undergraduate.
Varsity in Senior Rugby to date, his not a very impressive record on paper. A win against St. Pat's College Old Boy, a draw versus Wellington College Old Boy s and losses against Poneke and Athletic.
The Team's performance has however been better than results would have it. Against Old Boys a penalty kick of the opposition, given over, definitely missed, and against Poneke and Athletic it was only the inexperience of the backs which lost the side each game.
In the forward division the team has played with dash and skill and in this department it is living up to the high standards of the past few seasons. Outstanding in a good pack have been McNicol and Burke whilst Hansen, Corkill, Shannon and in fact the whole pack have played with real determination. Powerful packs such as Poneke, W. Coll. Old Boys and Athletic have if anything had the worst of the encounter forward and it is indeed strange that che trend should continue at Varsity—strong forwards but not so strong backs, as University teams have always been noted for their back piny.
The University back line needs one experienced and solia back close to the scrum. Given a tactician such as Dick Wild in any of those positions it is doubtful if the side would have been defeated to date. However we have not at the moment such a player and the young backline gracing the fifteen will learn. It is imperative that the inside backs should move up more quickly on defence and when tackling an opponent that they should go low and hard. The number of high tackles made by the members of the senior team this season would be impossible to cultivate. Individually the backs have much promise. Churchill is improving at half but is still a little slow. He throws long and good passes however. Patrick at first five eighths needs to remember that it is a five eighth's duty to go up to his, man if he nans with
For a young team however the performance has boon good and since the team must inevitably improve very heartening for the Club.
A spirit of keenness exists today thanks to the coaching of Mr. Jim Parker and the good administration of the Club that will ultimately, war permitting, bring Varsity back to the position it hold in the halcyon days of the twenties.
This was an amazing trip. It was surely unprecedented for all but one of a varsity party of seventeen which had set out for Tauherenikau to go on to Alpha (in spite of the gloomy forebodings of R.L.M.). We were first amazed by the freshers and others who ran up the Puffer quicker than you could say "Excelsior" and left Chas and their leader standing. Chas was first to reach Alpha, however.
At the Chateau we decided after considerable discussion (and bread and honey and peanuts) to go ontto Alpha. Some began to regret this on the Block XVI ridge which was a little steeper and a lot longer than some had realised. The ascent however was made thrilling by the wild slashing of slashers (we were supposed to be blazing the track). All things come to an end, oven Block XVI, and we wire glad when we dropped down from Omega to Hell's Gates, because we knew we should have to climb all that way up again. J.K.J. was reluctant to leave Hell's Gates and indulged in backsliding all the way up the zig-zag. Alpha was reached by dusk. The amazing Bill Roberts hawe was not satisfied with having come all that way in bare feet, but insisted on feeding every body. Alec MacLeod made an excellent stew.
There were two discussion groups during the evening, the politicians and the low-brows. We must thank Chas who stayed behind in the morning to clear up after the mob, and Henri, Ron, Bill and others who took turns in carrying the pack of The B———, who was not well.
We came out over the slightly boring Marchant ridge in good time and were little more than an hour late for extrav rehearsal!
After half an hour's wait for the members who had slept in, Mr. Anderson arriving strangely unabashed and Miss Ross arriving not at all, Ron Meek's party for the new Dalefield-Kaitoke trip left the Telephone Exchange at 9a.m.
When Kaitoke was reached, Joy Stock and Messrs. Anderson and Johnston loft the lorry to make their way to Tauherenikau. The rest of the party travelled on over the Rimutakas.
Starting from Dalefield three hours' bush scrambling brought us down into the beautiful Totara Plats. On arrival at Sayers' Hut Messrs. Viggers, Collin and Butchers declared their intention of crossing the Waiohina that night to relieve the congestion at Sayers. Accordingly, Don was attached securely at the end of the many feet of rope that had luckily been brought, and he sallied forth into the treacherous current. After 20-minutes battling in the icy water he finally reached the bank.
A pleasant night was spent by the main party in singing Extra v songs, consuming stow, and discussing the historic mission of the working class in the overthrow of the bourgeoisie and the establishment of a socialist society. Early to bed with our Devine insisting on reading "True Confessions" in bed.
Next morning as the mists cleared Totara Flats were soon at their best. The Waiohina was crossed without too much trouble and the party proceeded down the river and up into the, push towards Cone Saddle. Cone Saddle Hut was visited and came the descent to the Upper Tauherenikau. At Top Hut an amazing meal of bread butter cheese sardines onion was masticated. This later had the most amazing effect on some members of the party, especially Mr. Boyd.
At the Chateau two been bottles on the mantelpiece proved that the two other members, had boon and departed. Over the hill and to the lorry, concluding one of the pleasantest trips the Tararuas have to offer.
The Tournament just concluded was probably played in the muddiest conditions yet experienced but the standard of Hockey in spite of this was very high.
On the opening day teams played in a continuous downpour of rain and grounds very soon became veritable bogs. Instead of damping the enthusiasm of players the bad weather appeared to inspiro thorn to greater efforts and the display given in the Otag o-Auckland match was, in my opinion, the best given by these teams throughout the Tournament. The tremendous physical effort put forth by these to ams was evident in their play on the following day when they appeared to be somewhat "done" towards the end of their games.
The feature of the Canterbury-Auckland game on Thursday morning (won by Canter bury 3 goals to 1) was the magnificent display put up by the Canterbury goalkeeper, Maister, who had undoubtedly saved his side from being beaten by Auckland, who had a marked territorial advantage but could not manage to sec score, whereas Canterbury made the most of their opportunities on the few occasions they reached the Auckland circle.
The victoria A-Auckland game on Friday morning brought forth some sparkling hockey. The attack of both teams was fast and spirited and the ball control was excellent. Equally good was the defence, both sides defending well and frequently the ball was taken right to the circle for a back to emerge from a melee with the ball and crack it hard down the field and start a counter-attack. This game was won by one of the finest goals
The surprise of the Tournament was the Massey College Team who started very shakily and only managed to shade Victoria B by 2 goals to 1 in their opening game and lost to Otago 4-11 on the second day. From then on However, they appeared to improve and wont on to register their first "Seddon Stick" victory.
Massey are to be congratulated on their winning the "Stick" which will do much to further the game at Massey College and so enable them to improve on the already high standard of hockey displayed at the Tournament just concluded.
A lot of credit must go to Hoe Lawry for Massey's win and he has shown what Enthusiast and Leadership can do over a number of years to build up a really strong team.
On behalf of the referees I should like to pay a tribute to the very fine manner in which players accepted the ruling s of "the men with the whistle" and also to pay a tribute to the very fine sporting spirit in which the games were played.
When games are played in such a sporting manner, then it is no wonder the Annual Inter-University Hockey Tournament is such a popular and looked-forward-to Annual Fixture.
My memories of the
V.U.C. hockey players were loud in their praises of Massey, who for to first time took the honours in last work's N.Z.U. Hockey Tournament. The standard of play was on the whole high providing spectators with an interesting throe days' play.
Victoria A responded nobly to the coaching of Mr. N. Jacobson and reached the finals. A1thought the B team could do no better than collect the wooden spoon, their gamos were keenly contested.
Stan Braithwaite gained his third N.Z.U. blue and George whitham, the youngest the youngest member of the senior team, also won his spurs. George was outstanding in the half line and shows promise of being one of the Club's greatest assets for several years to come.
—And the social side
The visitors appeared to enjoy fully Victoria's hospitality last week, and the hosts have every reason to feel satisfied with their efforts to please. Highlights were the dinner and tournament ball which brought the function to a close. Club captain Bill Bryan and secretary Stan Braithwaite earn the warm thanks of everyone for bearing the heat and burden of those social arrangements which, although drawn up at such short notice, wont without a hitch.
Volume 3, No.4
Printed and published by the Victoria University College Students' Association, Salamanca Road, Wellington,