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New Zealand students join with students in Australia, Canada, Great Britain, India, Portugal, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States—countries where liberty and encouragement to study remain, even though seriously impaired—to raise funds for the sake of their fellow-students in seventeen other countries who are victims of war.
Students are Prisoners of War
They call for books to save their minds from "barbed-wire disease" and their hearts from despair.
Students are Refugees
Hundreds who have had to flee their own countries are making untold sacrifices to continue their work as students.
Students are Interned
Immobilised for the duration, they are studying to equip themselves for the future.
Students are Dispossessed
In China and Russia they have migrated to continue their studies in spite of extreme hardship and the obstacles of war.
It is Your Privilege and Personal Duty to Your Fellow Students to Support Whole-Heartedly
The August Campaign
for World Student Relief
The Organisation Which:
Provides direct relief for students and professors who are victims of war.Joins with students of other countries in raising funds for student relief.Is the recognised channel for aid to student prisoners of war, operating under the Geneva Convention of 1929.
Recent months have seen a serious deterioration in the morale of the prisoners, a regression of their intellectual activity, a weakening of their physical and nervous resistance. This unfavourable development is not due primarily to bad treatment or to the worsening of living conditions. World Student Relief Secretaries who are able to visit the "universities of captivity" write of instances where their courses have been interrupted altogether, in others they have been very much reduced, and the number of students taking part in them has dropped radically. We must pay a tribute to the professors and lecturers, who in the camp universities go on fighting for the maintenance of intellectual activity as an essential factor in keeping up the morale of the young men for whom they feel responsible. For they know that those who give up attending lectures become an easy prey to neurasthenia. They sink into idleness, into endless dreams, they spend hours playing bridge, or reading detective novels and then, one day, even this is over, they just lie down on their beds, having lost contact with their fellow-prisoners and lost the courage to undertake anything at all; they lose hope—they are away. You can prevent this malady by giving them something to do with their minds and hands, some interest in life, and some feeling that you, their fellow-students, still remember them, still care about them.
The effect of the war on Russian students closely parallels that in China. In the Soviet Union there was the same sequence of events—the destruction of the Universities in conquered territory, the migration from the scorched earth area into the hinterland, the determined effort of students to continue their studies in their own transplanted universities or in others. Again, as in China, they realised that their greatest contribution to their country's need was in fitting themselves for trained and specialised leadership.
Today World Student Relief exists, organisationally speaking, with a world headquarters in the neutral country of Switzerland, and with affiliated administering committees for student relief in London, Chungking, New York and Stockholm. An I.S.S. committee in Christchurch co-ordinates the work of the local committees in the four N.Z. University centres. Amounts raised so far are Otago, £250; Canterbury, £550; Auckland, £170; Wellington, £30.
If you want human beings to work with, shoulder to shoulder in other countries in the years ahead, you'd better start rescuing some of them now. The Executive has suggested to the I.S.S. Committee that it is rather too late in the year to run a successful Work Day; but that, in collaboration with Training College, we might run a good Sunday night Benefit Concert. More details will be available later.
Starting from today, July 27th, every student of Victoria College will have an opportunity to give to World Student Relief. The most you can give is the least they deserve. Decide now what your contribution will be and have it ready for canvassers when they approach you. If you do not meet a canvasser, there will be a Fund Box in the Cafeteria. If every student gave 2/- that would mean £110 for Victoria. Will you respond?
For Chinese Students:
Food: £4/10/0 will support a Chinese student for a month.
Clothing: £6 will buy a cotton padded garment for winter.
Health: 6/- a month will provide soya bean milk for Chinese students threatened with tuberculosis. £4/10/0 will supply for a month a kerosene pressure lamp around which forty Chinese students can study.
Scholarships: £61 will provide a National Reconstruction Scholarship for a specially selected student.
Student Centres: £304-£760 will operate for a year one Student Centre with facilities for bathing, recreation, reading, self-help.
For Prisoners of War and Internees:
Books: £1/12/0 will buy from one to six books which will bring new hope to discouraged student prisoners and will enable many of them even to obtain their degrees while behind barbed wire.
Study Materials: 6/- will supply the notebooks and paper required by a prisoner of war for six months.
Music: 6/- will buy a phonograph record which will bring entertainment to more than 2,000 mentally weary student prisoners.
For Other Students in Europe and Russia:
Food: £3 will supply condensed milk for a Russian student for a year.
Living Expenses: £8/5/0 will provide tuition, board, lodging, and clothing for a refugee student in Switzerland.
Health: £1/12/0 will buy 6 ounces of quinine sulphate for Russian students.
The spirit that characterises World Student Relief is perhaps its most important feature. The whole amount spent, even including the large U.S.A. contributions, may be small when compared with the expenditure by such an agency as the International Red Cross, but the work is unique. It is done from student to student Those who give do so because they, as students, know and are deeply concerned about the plight of fellow-members of the university community which knows no barriers of nation, race, religion, or political creed. They give because they believe in the university and the role it has played, at its best, in the growth of civilisation—and which it must play again if civilisation is to move forward. They give because individual students like themselves need help, as students.
The students of China were the first to meet the deprivations and dislocations of war, and their suffering and heroism remain unsurpassed, though now so tragically and nobly repeated in Russia. In prisoner of war and internment camps, or narrowly escaping deportation to forced labour, or struggling with starvation, the students of Europe have clung to the one thing left to them—the use of their minds. They have thrown up their own leaders, and planned their own courses. An organisation can supply a student with his book, but no one can do his work for him. The grit and inventiveness of our fellow-students in adverse circumstances is a challenge to those of us in the free universities to redouble our efforts in support.
Other Colleges have contributed their quota. Victoria is not used to lagging behind in student affairs. It should take the lead in this.
Dear Sir,—Salient in the past two years has repeatedly and proudly proclaimed that the cornerstone of its editorial policy is anti-fascism. I was therefore surprised to see Salient—safeguarding itself behind the skirts of a lying jade—immortalise in print the tactless if probably well-meaning behaviour of an official of the Tennis Club towards Professor Wodzicki. member of the teaching faculty of a European university and a refugee from fascism.
There are decencies of hospitality, as well as of fraternity among university men the world over. V.U.C. should be proud to extend to a Polish professor friendship or, at the very least, courtesy. The College authorities have not failed to do so. That our "organ of student opinion" has, is a breach of taste and manners of which I, for one, feel heartily ashamed.
ߦ
In reply to Miss Grinlinton may we state that:
q We reported the incident because it happened.
q We would have reported it had it happened to the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Wellington, or any other local dignitary.
q We hold no brief for Count Wod-zicki's anti-fascism.
q We are aware of the discourtesy shown by the chairman of the tennis club, and deplore it.
To rejuvenated, hard-working Drama Club, plans for activity in the near future loom large. Press-ganged casts, at first cynical, now enthuse about their plays.
Forthcoming:
One-acter for British Drama League contest.Full-dress production of O'Neill's sea-drama, "Anna Christie."Reading of a Three-acter.Lecture by Elsie Lloyd on Make-up.
The Drama League entry is "The Locked Chest," by Masefield, a comedy-drama of twelfth-century Iceland. Presented at the Concert Chamber on 27th July at 7.30, it will be repeated at a Drama Club function in the Gym. on Friday, 28th. Producer: Nada Martin. Cast: Basia Goodman, Derek Rose, Fanny Walker, Dennis Hartley.
"Anna Christie," scheduled for three nights in mid-August, is produced by Allona Priestley, stars Edith Hannah, Laurie Gardiner, Dick Campion; is a fascinating study of the lure of the sea.
Learn to listen to music. Be more than a specialised technician.
Music Makers Club
The newly appointed Cafeteria Enquiry Committee met the Management Committee and the Manageress last Thursday. Many complaints have been voiced, mainly destructive, for some time past, but when requests are made for assistance in serving meals and washing up these critics are strangely silent.
Help is still urgently needed, especially for Monday and Friday evenings. So far no helpers have volunteered to assist with lunch or afternoon tea. Students always consider themselves impecunious but still refuse to take this easy means of obtaining a free meal.
Few full-timers would suffer from giving up one hour a week, and the difficulties of running the cafeteria would be reduced considerably. Mrs. Shillson informs us that men helpers are at least as useful as women. She will be pleased to receive offers of assistance at any time.
Suggestions were made which will probably decrease costs and improve the standard of meals. Vegetables will be bought direct from markets and during the vacation Mrs. Shillson intends to preserve enough fruit to provide some variety next winter.
In order to decrease the number of meals for which meat coupons are required to two a week, students who do not use all their meat coupons (and we know there requite a number) are requested to hand these In. Any spare tea or sugar coupons would be greatly appreciated.
If a new hotplate can be obtained, soup will be provided for the evening meal.
Students are urgently requested to co-operate by returning plates and cutlery to the counter as quickly as possible—before that smoke and gossip. Another table is to be secured to reduce overcrowding.
Finally, we wish to express our appreciation of all the hard work put into the cafeteria by the staff. Any shortcomings are certainly not due to them.
If the present University system is accepted, whereby the only guide to intelligence is the presumed ability to pass examinations, then practices are evident in which some changes for the better are warranted. Comment here is only on the system as it is misapplied at this College, but some of the points are probably applicable to the N.Z.U. m general. No dynamic changes are advocated—the remedies are obvious in most cases, but it is considered that if students must work on the present system then a fair interpretation of it should be made by the professorial staff.
The major point is that of lectures, defined by an anonymous commentator as "a process whereby the notes of the professor become the notes of the student without passing through the brains of either." It is impossible for the student to take down notes word for word from lectures—fortunately so in some of the less edifying cases—but at present lecture times have to be spent feverishly scribbling; missing the points on which emphasis should be laid; not appreciating the substance of the remarks; wasting time on sidetracking diversions, not knowing if in the end there might be some vague connection with the subject; listening to discourses from lofty pinnacles of intelligence from which the lecturer flatteringly refuses to descend. What is the objection to the provision of printed lecture notes by reference to which the lecture as delivered could be properly appreciated, and to which any scholarly gems could be added.
As the average professorial length of service is approximately twelve years, it is a matter for wonder that in that time lecture notes have not been pruned of irrelevances, and reduced to intelligible order and cohesion. There is one thing, however, of which students simply cannot complain and that is monotony of lecturing techniques. Consolation can be found in the many varieties offered—half the syllabus in twice the detail—twice the syllabus in half the detail actually necessary for finals, according to taste. The inherent gambling tendencies of students are fostered by the provision of lectures in which the proportion of finals requirements covered varies unpredictability from year to year. For all of this students (the majority now part-timers) are given the privilege of paying suitably impressive fees.
To turn to exams. As a basis for estimating the amount of work that should be covered in a year, the syllabus has been laid down, but what relation do examinations bear to it? Papers are set on minute detail of single portions of the syllabus and on points entirely outside it. Why should not the syllabus be as binding on the examiner as on the examinee, and the exams, be a representative test of knowledge of the points set out, and not merely a proving ground for professorial preferences? As it stands at the moment one is compelled laboriously to construct a digest of previous papers to arrive at the examiners' requirements. A year's work can not be said to give an all-embracing, even elementary knowledge of any subject, and therefore if the present syllabus is too large to be covered adequately in one year, nothing would be lost by deleting any excess.
If those who have the direction of our higher education in their charge are blessed with the inestimable gift of seeing themselves as others see them, then all this is superfluous—if not, the sooner they dispel the fogs of reaction and inaction in which they are shrouded and raise themselves above the status of guides to the library, the less will students' difficulties become.
A book by the Vice-President of the United States would be of interest whatever its subject, and this collection of addresses by Mr. Henry Wallace repays reading. He deals generally with post-war problems as they concern the U.S.A., and it is gratifying to find such a progressive outlook in a man of high rank in that country. Mr. Wallace's basic assumption is that international co-operation, coupled with full employment and production, is essential to world peace. One chapter consists of an attack on isolationism in its new forms, and again and again he points out the futility of the tariff walls which prevented the debtor nations paying in goods in the years between the wars. America can help the rehabilitation of the rest of the world through her industrial capacity, but at the same time she must accept foreign goods as payment in return. Only thus can she hope to maintain her own production.
Mr. Wallace has issued a grave warning on the subject of the change over from war to peace. Unless full employment can be maintained, there is little hope for the future. "The one criterion by which we should judge all fiscal, monetary and taxation policies is whether they bring about an increased balanced production of useful goods." He has been called an idealist. He dreams of a world where man can live in health and peace. I wish more of our statesmen had that at the back of their minds. He sees in the technological advances of today the opportunity for comfort and plenty for the whole world. He is a realist, if he appreciates that possibility. Where he is perhaps idealistic, is in his belief that these things can be carried out by private enterprise, supported by a benevolent government. In his own country it will be a hard fight, as I think he half realises, for he expresses his hatred of trusts and cartels. Mr. Wallace has recently gone to China as President Roosevelt's personal envoy.
(Our copy per courtesy of Modern Books Ltd.)
Since this was written, Mr. Wallace has been rejected as Democrat nominee for Vice-President. It seems a pity that such a far-seeing and liberal thinker should have been turned down by his party at a time when the future of the world hangs on the post-war policy of the United States.
The striking success of that beautifully written and produced series of plays, "The Man Born to be King," leads one to hope that more major overseas radio drama will be heard here. Of these, the plays of Louis MacNeice should have high priority. His latest, "Christopher Columbus," is a fine large story in blank verse of the great discoverer, with a large cast (in its first production from the BBC including Laurence Olivier, Marius Goring, Robert Speight, and Margaret Rawlings, with the BBC symphony playing music specially composed by William Walton).
The first act tells of Columbus'
Through the play runs a chorus, and the voices of Doubt and Faith, and much music. Great lists of grand Spanish names and titles roll through the words.
This play is exciting enough to read, in its superb language, and would be fine to hear. There are copious notes and explanations by MacNeice, including a good treatise on radio drama in general.
Particularly pleasing, too, are the "links" between scenes, as:
"Night music now throws a light on Columbus talking to himself"; and
"In Cordoba someone is singing"; and
"The Indian song comes up again and covers Columbus' departure for Europe."
It's grand stuff, and it is well printed by Faber and Faber.
ߦ
The residents of heaven have been rather upset lately by the amount of dust and acrid smoke rising from the earth. They resolve to send an expedition to discover what the trouble is about, consisting of Messrs. Marco Polo and his faithful secretary. A descent is made by parachutes specially constructed by Euclid, Aristotle and da Vinci, and the narrative describes their adventures in England, where they are fortunate enough to land. Polo spends most of his time dining with duchesses, philandering with film stars and guzzling with generals, but his secretary does some worthwhile social research as well as maintaining radio communication with heaven.
There are uproarious scenes among the military strategists in the children's sand-pits and in the Rochester Club, where the elite dine to save on rations. Jeffrey Dell's racy style is reminiscent of Jurgen, his particular, critical approach resembles that of Douglas Reed and A. G. Mac Donnell, but he has an even clearer insight into the motives of Colonel Blimp and Lady Astor, cunningly disguised as General Now then Waite-Waite and Anathema Longacre. A final note of despair is added when the travellers return to heaven only to find that it too has become a Fascist state, with streets lined by a Persuasion Corps, arresting those who are rash enough to speak in favour of freedom of expression.
Perhaps a rather flippant way of dealing with the chaotic state of Britain's mis government in wartime, but unlike many more serious works on the subject, this new novel leaves no doubt in the readers' minds as to the real source of the bungling.
News for Heaven, by Jeffrey Dell Published by Jonathan Cape. Our copy by courtesy Modem Books.
At the Shows.—San Demetrio, London (reviewed below), is definitely a four-star show; see it. Flesh and Fantasy, with one of the best openings yet seen, falls down badly because of Charles Boyer, who is incapable of playing anybody but Charles Boyer. Squadron Leader X is a war film, period. Don't miss Johnny Come Lately, first production of Cagney Bros., and a fine job. Look, too, for Cabin in the Sky, all-Negro musical coming soon. M.G.M. make a good film from this long-running Broadway show, with most of the original cast.
Having seen one adult film lately in The Moon is Down, I resigned myself to wait for a long time for another to come along. Well, it has arrived, much sooner than expected. Its name is San Demetrio, London. Now, I'm going to try to write carefully. It would be very easy to run riot, as the advertisers have done, and gibber about "England taking it" and all that. But this film deserves more than that. Its beauty lies in its discretion. A British film, it doesn't flap the flag.
Comparisons with In Which We Serve are, I suppose, inevitable. I think this is rather better than the Coward opus, which I consider one of England's best films. Better, because it stands on its own merits, and not on those of one name. The actors might well have been anonymous: there were no stars, except perhaps the ship. Acting is very good all through, with everybody underplaying skilfully and convincingly. Usually the tight lip and the clipped accent bespeaks British reserve, and is very phony; here we see the Cockneys who fought the blitz and the Scots who broke the Mareth Line—tough and uncomplaining and with a grim humour in crisis. The people in this film are real.
The story of the San Demetrio is so bold as to be almost incredible. Abandoned in flames during the attack in the North Atlantic when the "Jervis Bay" gave her life for the convoy, she is again sighted and boarded by the weary men of her crew, who unbelievably make her seaworthy and take her, full of oil, on to England. It is a good thing that we know how the film will end, as the tension at times is very great—in fact there is an almost Hitchcock touch at the end of the film when, safe at last in an unknown harbour, and the audience letting out a long breath and feeling for its hat, the lighthouse keeper reports her in a foreign tongue.
Photography is fine. There is a most memorable shot of the crew sitting in the galley singing mournfully, "If Those Lips Could Only Speak." In only one place does the film slip, I think, and that is in the modelling of the convoy. The long shots of all the ships are too obviously electrically propelled models in a tank. However, I guess the Admiralty can't waste ships just for a film.
I know that this film is propaganda. The American who realises the greatness of the English in danger has been fed to us very often before. But, as I say, there is no flag waving. In one splendid scene a sailor is buried at sea. There is only a red ensign left aboard, and one man says, " 'E needs a Union Jack, don't 'e?" and another sailor replies: "The Red Duster's good enough for anybody, ain't it?" No emotion. I can imagine what the Americans could have done with a
I recommend this film. It made me wipe away a furtive tear and gulp at a lump in the throat—quite a creditable achievement.
In spite of the fact that I saw the play under the worst possible conditions, and in spite of the fact that I have rightly been taken to task by some members of the cast for earlier reviews, I still think that The Man Who Come To Dinner was a bad production and a bad performance. The company must be thankful that the film hasn't yet screened here.
A wet Saturday matinee with a tired cast is no excuse for a sloppy show, and the playing about which went on was no credit to a professional company. It seems a pity, too, that we are given such an ill-assorted company when New Zealand is so starved for theatre. Granted that there are some competent and experienced straight players, I see no reason why the bulk of the company should still be playing pantomime and musical comedy and vaudeville in straight—and rather good—plays. And that is what happened in The man Who Came To Dinner. This is a clever play, although. I think, too American for New Zealand audiences, and requires legitimate acting of some calibre. It doesn't get it.
The prop of the play, of course, is Sheridan Whiteside, who is on the stage almost the whole time. Lloyd Lamble was. I think, capable in an exacting role, but he was not my idea of Whiteside. He didn't get it over. He made the character a mean, nasty old man, whereas I consider Whiteside to be just a rude, selfish, amusing person, not wholly aware of the devastating effect of his autocratic rule. Also. Mr. Lamble bulged in the wrong places —his padding looked as though it had been done in a hurry.
Neva Carr-Glyn was again good, though better in "Susan and God." But why will she jerk up her skirts like that whenever she sits? Ethel Gabriel, the better aunt in "Arsenic and Old Lace," was excellent in a similar part here. Sam Stern, back in panto., was raucous and annoying. The first time he did that leg business was very funny, the second time quite amusing, the third, fourth and fifth times . . .!
The whole company was inclined to point the dirty lines (the show is "unexpurgated"). I particularly disliked a nasty little lyric (not in the original script) entitled "Don't let's be Beastly to the Huns." And I didn't think it necessary to introduce the name of Paddy Webb.
The set was rather tasteless, and this company seems to make a specialty of banging doors, so that the flats quiver like aspen.
I'm sorry that this is another bad review, and admittedly I saw the show at its worst, but I must be truthful. I think, and one of the leading members of the company agrees with me. that the Repertory production of "Heartbreak House" was streets ahead of this show.
Salient met affable, fair-moustached Signalman Cyril, ex-V.U.C., in the Terminus. Likes a pot, talks easily when drinking.
Captured after a year in Egypt and Syria, during a night attack by the British (then up to Alemein), in a nine-month camp-shifting tour he saw Benghazi, Tripoli and Camp 75, close to Naples; looked in at Tutorano's Camp 85; finally settled at a New Zealand working camp (78/1), overlooking the recently important Pescaro valley and river. His comments on the camp: "Conditions in general very good, and the Italians sufficiently kind. Our main problem—food. Until Red Cross parcels became regular, we fed poorly in all but the working camps (double rations)." Cyril emphasised the importance of these parcels, hoped this was sufficiently understood at home.
With the armistice on 8th September, Italian guards were pleased but bewildered; two days later sloped off to their families. Over-ruling protests of loud-voiced officers, our boys walked out. Advised and assisted by the local populace, they hid around the then German-free area. Two weeks later Jerry turned up, recaptured many. The rest trickled south, early in October; Cyril and his pals travelling in uniform were picked up by a German ack-ack team, 15 miles north of the British lines.
It look an interview with a Crete-campaigning Major-General, who had met New Zealanders before, to establish them as ex-prisoners, not paratroops. The Germans returned them to Camp 21, at Chieti. This was fortunate. Ex-prisoners had built an efficient escape tunnel, unknown to the camp authorities, known to a British naval commander travelling with Cyril. The attempt was made, but the tunnel had collapsed. Then they tried low cunning, lying in their foxhole for four days. When the hue-and-cry was over and the guards relaxed, the Anzacs climbed over a wall and made for their Italian friends near the Popoli Pass and 78/1. Installed and fed in mountain caves, they waited for the nearing artillery to reach and pass them. Three months later they were still waiting: it was evident that a winter line had been established; the mountain must go to Mahomet. After three more snow-bound months, early in March, a guide of the Italian underground ran them through the lines. By the 20th they were in British hands on the Adriatic front.
The village below the cave-dwellers was Austrian-held. Treason flourished, desertions were rife. Among the escaped prisoners in the hills was a student of Vienna University; he was recaptured, publicly shot in the village square. His last ringing, memorable words: 'I am not a German, but an Austrian; I am not a traitor, but a patriot. Long live Austria.'
Another deserter, knowing the mountains, offered guidance to the British; the snow alone prevented it.
Our signaller's message: 'We owe our escape to Italian peasants and town dwellers. In spite of the death penalty for whole families, in spite of a completely German-controlled food supply, a British P.O.W. is sure of food, shelter, and assistance in an Italian home."
Dick Daniell reported that some irresponsible, infantile persons were eating their lunches in the Gym. and leaving paper on the floor and halfeaten sandwiches under the seats. "I thought they taught them tidiness at High School," said Jack Barr. "Yes, it's the Primary School type that leave them," said Jack. During a discussion of Social Committee grants, the Exec. was told that one of the sports clubs was in the habit of putting the forms outside while practising. As a result, many had been ruined by the rain, wind and snow. "This vandalism must stop," said the Exec., and action is to be taken against the culprits.
As the result of a motion by Margaret Beattie, the committee of the Wellington Public Library will be written to, regretting the curtailment of hours, and hoping they will soon increase them again. An N.Z.U.S.A. report from Gib Bogle announced that Joynt Scroll would be held this year at Lincoln, and Bledisloe Medal in Wellington. The Debating Club is to deal with these matters.
The meeting closed with a discussion on I.S.S. finance. Stan Campbell suggested a Sunday night concert, and Margaret Orr agreed to pass the idea on to her committee.
Bob Anderson sends news of the many other boys he sees in the Base Hospital at Bari. Peter Mitchell has been seen there and also Wilf Watson and Gordon Stuckey, who was reported wounded lately.
The following is an extract from a letter from Gnr. R. J. Larkin, which will be of more interest to older students but does show that V.U.C. lives even in the Middle East:—
"We had a jolly good trip over — Brian Vickerman and Thaddy McCarty (both reverted to sergeant's rank) were together with Norm Russell, some of Wellington's legal fraternity who travelled in much the same luxurious state as I did. In Maadi we were welcomed by Jim Garbett and Cam Wylie—both captains in administrative jobs. Bart Cahill, who preceded us, is a corporal (reverted from his Territorial commission) and feeling rather like Rip Van Winkle as he'd been held back for courses on intelligence work, courts-martial and so on—he has had so many briefs as defending counsel that he farmed one cut on me—a sure sign of desperation! I need hardly add that my victim was given 90 days even after I'd said all I properly could on his behalf plus a terrible lot more that any self-respecting S.M. would consider proper!
"Here at advanced base I've met Harry Arndt and Sandford of the Cricket Club. Harry is legal sergeant and Sandy is a W.O. in the Archives Section, as is also Doug Edwards. Dick Connell, who just recently was again gazetted after dropping his pip to come over here, had Harry, Doug and Sandy along for a brew in his tent when he knew I was here—very thoughtful of him as it's difficult to see everybody you'd like for long enough to exchange news. It was a great experience to hear how Doug Edwards met a chap looking like a cook until he found it was Lt.-Col. J. L. MacDuff, M.C., and how Dick Simpson as a G3 at Div. H.Q. was working out a problem relating to the mule transport of a battalion and how well John White and Dick Wild were doing, and Dennis Blundell.
From other parts of the world we hear that Bruce Mason, after a week in the Soviet Union between convoys, is now taking a course in Japanese in Britain for a liaison officer job.
Note.—We are still keen to receive excerpts or letters from any student overseas. Letters written to individuals are our main source of information.
Much ground was covered by the three-hour meeting of the Executive last Wednesday. Winter Tournament loomed large, but much time was occupied with the question of outsiders playing for the Basketball Club. Overseas parcels, Blues, Committee and I.S.S. were also discussed.
The meeting opened to welcome John Walton and Mark Poole as Assistants Treasurer and Secretary respectively. These two have shown much interest in student affairs, particularly on the exam, fees question. Dave Cohen was appointed Publicity Officer to the Association, and the Exec, was informed that the T.C. Students' Exec, have appointed Mrs. P. Fox as liaison officer to V.U.C. Exec. Barbara Wall reported from the Overseas Parcels Committee, which plans to send 250 parcels this year. Miss Wall's suggestion of sending chocolate, as being most generally acceptable to all services, was approved, and the necessary grants made. It was pointed out that all profits from the very popular tea dances go to the Overseas Parcels Fund.
Next came a deputation from the Women's Basketball Club, asked by the Exec. to explain the presence in their Senior A team of students not attending lectures. The deputation said that there were not sufficient bona fide members to play two teams. Exec. members asked why publicity had not been organised to increase membership, instead of taking the easy way out of accepting outsiders. The deputation pleaded ignorance of the constitution on this point.
The Exec. wished to make it clear that the constitution was always available when the Exec. room was open, and it was the duty of club secretaries to acquaint themselves with it
To prevent embarrassment to the basketball teams, the girls concerned were allowed to finish the season with the club, on the understanding that this was not creating a precedent.
In discussing appointments to the Blues Committee, the point was made that members should be as representative of all sports as possible, although elected on their individual merits. The following were elected: Mr. R. M. Daniell, ex officio as senior tournament delegate, Miss Moira Wicks, Mr. M. O'Connor, Mr. Tosman, Mr. J. Barr, Mr. G. Burnard, and Mr. I. McDowall as Exec, representative.
Dick Daniell has prepared a scheme for Exec, members to act as liaison officers with the various clubs. These persons should be available to club committees for consultation and advice. The plan was approved, and the necessary appointments made.
Ian McDowall reported that many clubs had arranged to send teams to play C.U.C. during the period 9th-12th, August. Canterbury wanted the Tournament at the same time, but Otago found this clashed with exams. The Exec. were generally against having a Tournament in term time, but agreed to let the teams go if a Vacation date could not be arranged. Whether this is to be a proper Tournament depends on the other Colleges. Limited grants were voted, to cover cases of hardship for those travelling.
Vast crowds failed to assemble for the debate on the motion "That the Government has failed to make the greatest possible use of manpower in the war effort."
Miss Marshall opened for the affirmative, defined her terms and reminded students of the way they had been horribly maltreated on vacation jobs. She contended that the manpower officials had no qualifications for their position, that the government's approach to the whole question had been haphazard and that she possessed inside information to prove conclusively that the entire system was rotten.
Mr. Ziman, a trifle less pompous than usual, allowed his opponent's definitions to stand. He stated that New Zealand was playing a proportionately larger part in the war than any country except the Soviet Union. The manpower division had adapted itself to changing phases of the war, the appeal boards were reasonable and the hopelessly unqualified manpower officials were handling their jobs well.
Mr. Duncan based his argument on the contention that the government has not enforced its decisions, has failed to prevent strikes, has been dominated by the Trades Hall, and has mismanaged the rehabilitation of returned men. His debating style was better than his material.
Miss Crompton seconded Mr. Ziman in her usual forthright manner. The highlights of her speech were gained on the points that New Zealand has maintained and increased production in spite of overseas commitments and has developed her primary industries to decrease her imports.
An unusually high standard was reached in the speech of Mr. Jack, who was well known in debates here before the war. His arguments were clearly thought out and he carried the house with him throughout. He insisted that there must be some standard in judging this question, and carried his point by comparing New Zealand's effort with that of other nations in a manner that left no possibility of refutation.
Mr. Williams quoted figures for production and for the number of men in the forces. He escaped the dullness usually associated with figures, was forceful and to the point.
Mr. Chorlton, speaking as a returned soldier, made a plea for equality of sacrifice. He would like to see all industries under army control.
Mr. O'Kane blamed the individuals for not co-operating with the government and thought the manpower division was making the wrong approach.
Mr. O'Leary, intensely formal and severe, blamed the government for not training unfit men to replace fit men in essential industries. He considers the manpower regulations interfere unnecessarily with workers' lives, especially in unplanned transferring of manpower.
Mr. Eaton Hurley, who judged the debate, offered advice and criticism to the speakers but considered the standard fairly high and all the speakers promising. He placed the first five as follows:—Mr. Jack, Miss Crompton, Mr. Williams, Mr. Ziman, Mr. Miller.
For the first time in some years Varsity competed against an outside team in the Wellington Debating Union contest The visitors represented the Workers' Educational Association, and took the affirmative in the motion "That the W.E.A. is fulfilling its function as an Organ of Adult Education."
Mr. Riske, for the W.E.A., had hardly been speaking two minutes when a member of the audience left the hall. He was also interrupted by indifferent swing music coming from upstairs and paused to allow his message to sink in on both occasions. He asserted that the W.E.A. is doing what it set out to do; that is, to provide non-sectarian and non-vocational education in whatever subjects its students are interested. It caters for all who are willing to participate, and the standard is up to that of B.A., Stage I, presented, however, in terms which are understandable to anyone. Although a relatively small number take part they are as representative accross-section as could be obtained anywhere. Difficulties have been met in the past in the shape of attacks on academic freedom and of sabotage from within of its policy of no politics.
Mr. Campbell, for the negative, ran true to type. So much so that an interjection was heard: "My God, it is the bloody Minx." He complained that there is a lack of records (a statement which was later refuted by Mr. Risked and that no analysis of benefits had been made. He complained that the W.E.A. had failed to train the people for citizenship, and to encourage interest in the major problems of today. He attributed the indifferent support of the movement to the type of course which is offered and
Mr. Watson first pricked some of the bubbles which Mr. Campbell had blown, then gave a summary of the benefits gained by W.E.A. members, more especially in country districts. He described the Summer School and also the effect on rural communities, painting a rosy picture of farmers discussing fine arts instead of butterfat prices and of local yokels sitting in ditches considering Problems of the Pacific rather than "the bitch next door."
Miss Joan Taylor, seconding Mr. Campbell, produced figures which show how small the W.E.A. membership is and how class attendances drop off considerably as the course proceeds. She pointed out that it fails to gain monetary support from the public and from public bodies like the Wellington City Council.
Mr. Barrington began by deprecating the hysteria which is so prevalent today. He considers that the creation of a good citizen is the creation of that kind of mental outlook which is opposed to cant and hysteria but which is founded on a critical mind, and an even temper of mind and spirit, based on knowledge and discussion. He claims that the W.E.A. is doing this. He gave figures to show how wide a variety of people attend W.E.A. classes, how democratic is the spirit of the National Council and he compared the role of the Association in the community to the leaven of
Mr. Williams claimed that the W.E.A. has small support because it appeals only to a few people. He had shown a prospectus to a friend he described as a worker, whose only comment was "Are you kiddin'." He complained that the W.E.A. is merely retailing university learning at a discount. where it should go out to meet the workers, should use newspapers, radio and cinema and generally sell its product by making it attractive.
Mr. Campbell had little to say in his summing up, but made references to "passing the baby" and "we are the hounds, you dirty dogs," allusions which seemed rather beside the point. He warned the affirmative of the danger of words and went as far as to recommend them to attend one of their own courses on this very subject.
Mr. Riske, summing up for the W.E.A., made several statements which would not have gone unchallenged had he not been the last speaker. However, he made good points in expressing the undesirability of "mobilising mentality" and quoted rumour as appreciating the opposition of the W.C.C., a fact which was considered to reflect credit on the Association.
Mr. Farquhar, who acted as judge, gave a few points of advice to the speakers. He gave the decision to the W.E.A., praising Mr. Riske for his general exposition, Mr. Watson as being genuine, and Mr. Barrington for his explicitness. He summed up the Varsity team by quoting "me thinks they do protest too much." He criticised Mr. Campbell for his extravagance and Mr. Williams for his "flights of rhetoric." Miss Taylor, he said, criticised the body, not its functions. He placed the first three speakers: Mr. Riske, Mr. Barrington, Mr Campbell.
Flowery compliments were then exchanged between the leaders of the two sides, and the subject was thrown open to speakers from the floor.
The last Monday evening talk held by the International Relations Club was given by Mr. A. Thom on France and de Gaulle.
Mr. Thom, V.U.C. liaison officer, gave first a summary of French characteristics. Above all, he stated, Frenchmen loved three things—their security, their country, and justice. This thesis he illustrated from French history and literature.
Division of society played an important part in the French scene. First came the two hundred families, wealthy and aristocratic; the bourgeousie, ambitious, cultured; thirdly the peasants, with low living standards. Compulsory military service served to estrange peasantry from the townsmen. Population decline, Mr. Thom puts down to inheritance laws and foreign immigration.
The political system: President chosen by electoral college, Senate of men over forty, and an elected Lower House. He stressed political groupings, main ones being Radicals to the right and Communists to the left. He referred to the increasing number of professional politicians.
The Great War tended to make the French turn to "peace at any price" and fascism (especially the middle class), stated Mr. Thom.
Fascist attempts at a coup in
On outbreak of war France's army was riddled with fascists—anti-revolutionary, anti-socialist, anti-communist, but not anti-Hitler. Then came the French debacle when Paris was declared an open city and Government fled. Communists had been imprisoned, a breach of the democratic principle. Petain wanted "Peace with Honour."
Resistance-leader de Gaulle is a 53- year-old professional army man. He stands for strict control of newspapers, democratic elections in liberated French territory, increased governmental ownership of means of production, and better conditions for the workers.
An interesting talk on a controversial subject. The I.R.C. is to be congratulated on its club's activities.
A crowded lecture room (42 persons, men 69.9476%, women 30.9524% approx.) listened agape to the wonders of science, completely revealed by three unblushing freshers of the Maths and Physics Society.
Mr. Hall, with quick precision, skilfully outlined the various theories accounting for the earth's magnetism. With short lapses into higher mathematics and relativity for the benefit of the back benches, he succeeded in showing that no satisfactory theory had been proposed. Mr. Hall attributed certain magnetic variations to the 11-year sun-spot cycle, which also, apparently, affects the rings on trees ("Probably has something to do with the fertility of elephants," muttered the vice-president to the secretary.) Professor Florence anxiously contested one point, and was much relieved to find that what he had been teaching for 40 years was right after all.
Mr. Copp, a devotee of the
Next came Mr. Bradfield, with a well-prepared study on the possibilities of life on other planets. He was obviously at home in his subject, and exhibited some interesting lantern slides, mostly of the planets. "Now, here is a photograph of life on Mars," he said, as he slipped one in. A trio of grotesque monsters, in vivid red tints, appeared on the screen. The audience was paralysed. Then—"It's not a photograph, It's a drawing," he admitted sadly.
Professor Florance and his daughters provided a good supper, thus concluding one of the best meetings of the Maths and Physics Society.
The rapid advance of the Soviet Armies, as we go to press, emphasises the importance of the Polish question. The war started by Nazi Armies attacking Poland. The end of the war draws appreciably nearer with the advance of the Red Army on Warsaw, East Prussia—and incidentally Berlin. What is this country like ? is it a multinational state, a product of fanciful dreamers or a real national entity having its own culture? How deep are the roots of her history and how important her liberation to the Allies? Why did the Allies allow the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia, in which Poland herself participated, and yet go to war when Poland was invaded? What is the attitude of Poland's big eastern neighbour, the U.S.S.R.? To answer these and similar questions we have an article by our special correspondent.
The Polish State first came into existence in the tenth century, and the fifteenth century saw her greatest strength, wealth and territory. Polish barons colonised extensively, cutting out for themselves vast feudal estates to east and south till Poland stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea, and included half European Russia. Real power rested in the hands of sixteen or seventeen great landowners. About the time of the French Revolution came three successive partitions of Poland, connived at by the aristocracy, who feared the growing liberalism in Sweden and "contagion of democratic ideas" exemplified in the
The first real chance for the Poles to regain their freedom came with the Great War. The two main Polish parties were the National Democratic and Socialist Parties. The former was composed of industrialists from Russian Poland, and despite the Russian oppression and terrorism the wealthier class was strongly pro-Russian, enjoying the protected position of their industry. The Socialist Party stood for socialism and national independence. Big landowners, men like Pilsudski, joined the Socialist Party; how deep their "socialist" convictions may be seen by Pilsudski's remark on leaving it. "Gentlemen, we have travelled together in the same train for a long time. I got out at the station 'Polish Independence,' and now I wish you luck for your journey to Utopia."
Conforming with the idea of self-determination of nations the young Soviet State of
Pilsudski met opposition from the industrialists of the National Democratic Party. But clever political activity on Pilsudski's part and blind foolishness on the part of the socialists who supported him, enabled him to seize power in the coup d'etat. This was the beginning of a dictatorship.
Feudalist in essence, the new regime deliberately retarded the much-needed industrial development. By Lloyd Georg, 28/9/39.% below pre-war standards. Two thousand landlords held 20% of the arable land. Medical service was inadequate (doctors 3.7 per 10,000 population) social security non-existent. Bread and potato consumption was high, sugar and salt were inadequate. It was a terrible indictment of the government. Democracy in Poland was dead. In
Who should they trust in their foreign policy? "The elimination of the State of Poland was one of the postulates of Greater Germany," Rosenberg, official Nazi historian.
"Poland, who was to be jointly guaranteed by Great Britain, France and the U.S.S.R., rejected military assistance on the part of the S.U." Molotov, on 30/8/39.
Germany marched in on September 1st. The army was ill-equipped, ill-trained, badly organised. The Cabinet and general staff (with one exception) fled to Hungary. Polish resistance, with a few notable exceptions (as in the gallant defence of Warsaw), collapsed by September 10th. On the 17th the Red Army moved into Eastern Poland. As a Catholic periodical at the time remarked, "they were greeted as saviours," and a correspondent added "the Germans sent bombs to Lwow, the Russians bread." William Forrest in the News Chronicle.
Poland must rise again, but as a democratic nation, government for and by the people for the first time in her history.
The most important post-war problem facing New Zealand is the maintenance of an adequate population. On that depends the country's social, economic and national security.
The birth-rate is declining. In
Unfortunately the serious implications of the decline are not fully realised by the public, perhaps because the total population has not yet begun to fall. Population figures can be gravely misleading. They do not reveal, for instance, that in
The fact is that, though the population has not yet begun to fall, it is rapidly ageing. If no remedial action is taken, that ageing will soon manifest itself in a still further declining birth-rate, an increasing death-rate, and, before long, a sharply declining population.
The fact should not be overlooked that, merely to ensure the replacement of the present sparse population, every person now living must have one surviving child. It is obvious, therefore, that, to make up for those who have no children and for the children who do not survive, every married couple must have considerably more than two children; the number has been estimated at four. Well, do they? Actually more than 40 per cent, of married couples have fewer than two children.
Even if they are aware of the statistical position, many people may not realise the disaster toward which it is leading. They may not understand how it can, and will, affect their own personal happiness and prosperity and the welfare of, perhaps, their carefully limited and cherished family. The threat is not something looming in the distant future; it is just around the corner.
It has been calculated that, if present trends continue, the population in 60 years' time will be only 400,000. What, long before that, will happen to business houses, built up on the assumption, and to have the realisation, of an expanding population? One has only to look at one of New Zealand's almost derelict mining towns to realise the decay that would spread over the country on a vast scale. What will happen to our public services—our railways, our hydro-electric undertakings, our gas companies, our hospitals, our schools? Most of them will still be needed because of spread of population, but will numbers justify them? Who will pay for them? Who, too, with a rapidly ageing population casting an ever-increasing burden on them, will bear the cost of pensions, superannuation and social security schemes?
Failing conquest by some more virile race, the ultimate result will be poverty and depression for everyone, the alternative acceptance, probably enforced by some world tribunal, of an influx of peoples of mixed nationalities, speaking different languages and arriving in many cases penniless. New Zealand, at least, will have lost the peace.
The most constructive proposals for dealing with the problem have, so far, come from the Dominion Settlement Association. Interviewed by Salient, the chairman, Mr. A. Leigh Hunt, said that the association urged that every endeavour should be made to stimulate the birth-rate by extension of housing projects, family benefits, assistance for mothers and more stringent measures against abortion, which at present was costing the country at least one potential citizen for every two live births. Native born children were admittedly the best immigrants, but natural increase, even if by a miracle the present birth-rate were to double, would not be sufficient to avert disaster.
For that reason the association advocated the immediate appointment of a Royal Commission to plan long range, large scale adult and family immigration. "The association, fully realises the debt we owe to the men overseas, but we would be failing in our duty to them if, through apathy or any other cause, we neglected to deal with a situation which threatens the whole future security of the country," he said. Housing and rehabilitation were of primary importance, but there was no reason why properly planned immigration should not proceed in conjunction with them. It would be, experts agreed, not a hindrance but a help.
Comprehensive planning covering every avenue into which streams of immigrants could be directed over a long period would probably take a year. Meantime an immediate start could be made by securing as many child immigrants as possible. With them there would be few, if any, of the initial difficulties associated with adult immigration. They would cast no burden on the employment market, would, in fact, for several years, help to create employment. Nor would they make any material demands on housing. Many would be adopted into existing homes, and others could be placed in "Fairbridge" farm schools. Being young, they would readily learn the language and the ways of a new country.
There were already in Europe fifty million homeless children, more than ten million of them orphans. For reasons of humanity, if not for self-preservation, we might well offer them a haven of refuge. Up to 1,000,000 could be taken into New Zealand over ten years, or even a shorter period, and it was easy to imagine that in a few years they would become worthy citizens of their adopted country.
Statistics.—Birth-rate,
A small but alert audience assembled to hear the programme of Bach's music presented by Dorothy Davies (piano) and Marie Vanderwart ('cello). The artists are well known to the College, and their names alone are sufficient guarantee of highest quality entertainment, a guarantee which was not betrayed.
It is a significant commentary on College taste that a mere handful of students was present. Several students have said that a whole evening of Bach was too much to attempt. One would, however, plead for that broadness of mind which permits at least one attempt. Then the appeal of Bach would be discovered; his astonishing rhythmic ability, his ever fresh melodies, and the grip of his music.
The Music Makers' Club organise concerts for the benefit of students. It cannot continue to run them at a loss. If you are interested you are urged to give every support. If you are not interested, then here is the finest of opportunities for the first attempt at understanding music. It is a duty you owe to yourself. A man of culture, discrimination and understanding is more than a highly educated technician.
After the concert the artists were entertained at supper by the wives of the staff.
Miss Vanderwart has recently joined the College library staff and we welcome so distinguished a musician to our midst.
150 members and supporters congregated on June 25 at St. Andrew's Church for observance of the Students' Universal Day of Prayer. Opening devotions were taken by the V.U.C. Chaplain, Rev. Robert Thornley, and the address was given by the Rev. J. M. Bates, newly elected chairman of N.Z.S.C.M., who spoke on the World Christian Student Federation and the Christian life.
After a friendly chat we visited 2YA studio to listen to the final play in the series "The Man Born to be King."
Tea was served in St. Andrew's Hall and was followed by an address by Miss Jean Campbell on the Wooster Youth Conference, emphasising our advantages over those who live in occupied countries and are unable to hold such gatherings.
The evening service was conducted by the Rev. Brian Kilroy, who mentioned that today students the world over were uniting in prayer and communion, a tie which binds man to man in Christian fellowship.
Mr. Howard Wadman was guest speaker at an evening gathering on July 22. He spoke on Personality and Community Living, pointing out that religion arises out of the universal problem of human relationships. Its function is to discover and create satisfactory conditions between finite man and infinite personality as exemplified by Jesus Christ and this is the only possible basis for a true community. The centre of our interests must be transferred from ourselves to God and with right relationship with the Divine will we can restore human personality to its rightful place in our community.
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Table Tennis Club Night each Monday in the Gym. from 7—10 p.m. Play alto at lunch-hours in the Gym. (only one table on Tuesdays and Fridays from now on).
An unusual aspect of last week's Grade match was that the two lower members of the team, Couper and Bensemann, "carried" the team, wining three out of their four singles. Bensemann seems to have conquered his nervousness and played very well. Grinlinton and Phillipps were defeated by De Havilland's two top men, and each team won two of the well-contested doubles.
In their match against Tramways the Varsity team won eight of the sixteen singles and took three doubles out of four to win the match. Dickson won three out of his four singles, Bay and Langbein two each, and Evans one.
Both the D Grade teams need intensive doubles practice. The B team won two of its doubles matches against Shipping and none against Social Security. Varsity's only two games in this match were won by McKenzie in the singles. In the Shipping match Gunn won two singles and McKenzie and Bay one each.
Tournament.—In the handicap tournament last Monday evening W. O. S. Phillipps on —3 won the men's section and Shirley Grinlinton, on —2, the women's.
The men's section was keenly contested and the three last games showed a reasonably high standard of play. In the quarter-finals Smith (—5) defeated Hannan (—5), to have a bye in the semi-finals. In the other semi-final, in one of the best games of the evening, Phillipps defeated Mayo, playing from +1. The final between Smith and Phillipps showed unrestrained and spectacular smashing from Phillipps, who was playing throughout the evening right on top of his form. Had Smith been able to take his mind off the score he probably would have done better.
There were only six entries in the women's section, in which the handi cappers were corruptible but not, as play showed, quite corruptible enough. In the first round Dawn Croxton defeated Helen Carmody, Shirley Grinlinton won from Nell Casey, and Marie Hampton from Aline Casey. Marie played well and on the evening's play should have been far more heavily handicapped. In Marie, Helen, and the two Caseys Varsity has the nucleus of a good women's team. More girls are needed to come along to club nights and practice, and the girls need to concentrate on forgetting the score. At present they are all nervous players. Next year they should be playing inter-club matches for the College—we should be able to field two women's teams. In the semi-final Shirley Grinlinton narrowly defeated Marie Hampton and went on to a surprise win in the final from Dawn Croxton, on —10.
Since the last notice in Salient, the plans for the reorganisation of the Boxing Club have been pushed ahead Messrs. O'Connor, McGill, and Menzies, in provisional committee, have prepared a vigorous plan of campaign, and the season may be said to be well and truly open.
What are we going to do? First we are going to build up the club with a view to putting up a really competent team for Tournament. Secondly, arrange, if it is desirable, bouts with other gyms., and thirdly secure adequate finance with which to purchase a punchbag. However, the most important aim is to introduce new men to boxing and to reintroduce boxing to those who have abandoned the game.
Yes—we know what you think—that you will come and find yourself a shorn lamb among wolves. Make no error, this is not a hurried tournament training school for skilled boxers. We will teach you to box from scratch and you'll like being taught. We have an excellent coach, who will look after you, be your name Jack Dempsey, or Clarence Fitznoodle.
Where and when? Top floor of the Gym., 7.45 p.m. every Monday night, and we extend a special welcome to Training College students.
During the last two weeks, on account of the unsettled weather, there has been practically no hockey. On the first Saturday all men's hockey was postponed although the women's games were played—a somewhat different outlook. Last Saturday, although games were not postponed, no one match reached completion.
The seniors, playing out at the Hutt, started their match against Dorset in pouring rain and a bitter southerly. As they were more able to adapt themselves to the conditions they were three goals up after twenty-five minutes' play when Dorset decided to call it a day, Varsity winning by 3 goals to nil. G. Rae, playing outside right, scored all the goals, each being the result of staunch backing-up by the whole team. I. Ting and N. Towns infused plenty of dash Into their play. G. Kemble-Welch. at full-back, has strengthened our defence considerably and It is hoped that the defence will play above Itself in this week's Karori match.
The Senior A.B team under Max Christie decided that the weather was best and did not take the field at all. Karori, the second team on the ladder, withheld a strong challenge from our Second A team, emerging the winners by 4-2.
After one spell the Third Grade B match was abandoned, much to their disappointment, the score at the time being nil all. This was a very creditable effort as the opposing team, Wellington College A, is one of the well-placed teams in the grade.
The positions of the various teams are as follows:—
Senior A.A—1st equal with
The activities of the club have been restricted because of unfavourable weather, so that in the last fortnight, only two matches have been played.
Although Senior A were defeated by Tech. O.G. they put up a fair resistance. The halves and backs have developed good co-operation, especially when the halves secured openings from free hits, to pass through to the forwards and set them going. In this way the left inner was able to make several determined dashes and it was unfortunate that more goals were not scored.
The Intermediates played under difficulties when they met Wellington Tech. during a rain storm. The tempest and the superiority of their opponents proved too much for them. However, they retired from the fight in wet clothes but undampened spirits.
The main topic of discussion at present is Tournament. We've got as far as settling the team and securing berths, but arrangements are still vague. The main thing to do at the moment is to practise and to keep fit so everyone is asked to attend the weekly practices if possible. Remember, come to the Gym. for practice—Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 9.
The weather interfered with the basketball matches last Saturday afternoon. The Senior A match against Kia Ora A had to be cancelled because of the heavy rain. The B team, however, played an excellent game against Kia Ora B in spite of the somewhat trying conditions.
The game started well, University scoring seven goals in quick succession before Kia Ora could score even one. Kia Ora managed to catch up, however, and the score at half-time was only one up in our favour. During the second half the rain began to get worse. The ball became soaked, making it slippery and hard to handle. The courts became slippery too and it was difficult for the players to keep their balance. There were one or two very spectacular falls. When time was called Kia Ora was momentarily one ahead of University, and the final score was 14-15 in their favour. By now the players were thoroughly soaked, water squelched out of their boots, and their hair hung down in wet curls. This particular match will live long in their memory.
Canterbury announces that arrangements for the Inter-University Tournament are going satisfactorily. Auckland and Otago intend to participate and we are looking forward to the trip.
The first annual meeting of the Chess Club will be held in Room C.4 on Wednesday, 26th July, at 7.30 p.m.
All interested are urged to be present. Agenda for the meeting can be seen at the Exec. notice board.
After the official business has been transacted there will be an informal Lightning Tourney (10 seconds a move).
The league teams have continued to make satisfactory progress. The A Grade team, after going down against Working Men's Club by 1-4, then took on the strongest team (on paper at least) in the competition, i.e., Wellington "Red." After about three hours of play, two games were finished, one win being scored by either side. The remaining three games are to be adjudicated, while the sixth game has been postponed. At Boards 1 and 2, Varsity appears to have at least even positions, and on only one board is it at a disadvantage.
The B Grade team has played two more matches, recovering well from a bad start. The first match was won by 4½-1½, and the next drawn 3-3, both against strong opposition.
At the first meeting of the newly-appointed Executive it was suggested that closer co-operation with the various clubs in the College would benefit not only the clubs themselves but the student body as a whole. In appointing different members of the Exec. as liaison officers it was stressed that they would act not as a Gestapo but as a link between the clubs and the Exec. From the point of view of the sports clubs this is a progressive move, for when subjects such as Tournament or any other matters dealing with sporting activity are discussed at meetings, the Exec. should be able to come to decisions knowing exactly how each club reacts to such a proposal. If any club desires to bring any difficulties to the notice of the Exec. the liaison officer would be the first person to approach.
Although this closer co-operation is desirable the primary object of the scheme is to build up College sport to its pre-war standard, and it is up to each club to assist in every possible way—for in helping the Exec. they are indirectly helping themselves.
Harriering, by way of apology, is a gentle and easy sport free from such distressing matters as compiling competitive and exclusive teams for each week's performance. In fact, it is not clear how the club will take its vice-president's suggestion for a little physical training, although he hopes that the hockey club's lures will be sufficient to turn us out in the Gym. in great numbers on Thursdays.
As to weather, we worry not, and on Saturday, July 9, when bedraggled rubbers, hock-ears and sock-ears sought shelter from heavenly effluvium, less timid hurr-ears doffed clothing and gadded around the Thorndon countryside much to the amazement of the local bystander. And what's more, enjoyed their run with Olympic, if reports are to be believed. The only thing that harriers really object to is running to catch trams, buses and trains. A dignified progression is that in which numbers participate semi-nakedly and purposelessly. Running to get somewhere is too much like work. Harrier runs partake more of a social gathering combined with mild mortification of the flesh and sight-seeing.
But we do have a few bad moments too, such as encounters with stray trouser-removing barbed wire and cliffs and banks down which people are occasionally unlucky enough to fall. One such accident befell a club stalwart on Saturday, July 1. Society recompensed him by a free ride to town in the back of a St. John's Brigade van and we, by selecting him selector of the team to represent V.U.C. at the hoped-for United Tournament in August.
The prediction made in the last Soccer Club notes that a few wins might be expected in the near future came true in the match against Air Force, whom we defeated by 2 goals to 1. Jack Walls scored both our goals, while Bruce Weir, though in an unaccustomed position at right wing, played an excellent game, sending in some good centres. Team and individual play generally was better than usual, though there is still some raggedness, particularly in anticipating passes, recovering from tackles and ball control. The only way to correct these faults is by turning up to practices at Kelburn Park on Thursdays. Everyone who possibly can is urged to attend these. With the ground covered in water, a drenching rain and a strong wind, the game last week was literally a washout.
On the week-end 15th-16th July the Tramping Club again sallied forth, this time bound for Palliser Bay. The weather was threatening but, as you no doubt know, the Tramping Club revels in bad weather, indeed, its members are at their happiest when rain is pouring down their backs. When the Orongorongo River was nearly reached the weather man turned on the taps and consequently the stalwarts were forced to stay in the river valley at that abode of sinners, that luxurious mansion, namely, Tawhai Hut. Dick Jackson, in a fit of unparalleled fortitude, announced that he would light the fire whilst the others performed the pleasant task of finding dry wood in the pouring rain. After this notable self-sacrifice on his part he further condescended to cook tea for the multitude. Someone, of course, suggested that there was an ulterior motive behind this kindness, namely, that he would get the most. Did he, or did he not? After the meal everyone curled up in their sleeping-bags and settled down for the night. When morning came one of the members of the party heroically stepped out into the blizzard to find more dry wood, again the motive being not for the common weal but rather out of self-preservation. At one o'clock the homeward way was trodden and a party of bedraggled but cheerful trampers arrived at the Eastbourne bus shed.
Seniors.—This team now stands third in the Hardham Cup competition, one point behind Training College and five behind Navy, but has played one game less than either of these two. On July 8 it defeated No. 2 Port Depot by 16-6, and on July 15 the game with Miramar was postponed owing to bad weather. Four of the team, three forwards and a back, were chosen to represent North Island Varsities at Christchurch on July 22. Lewis, the back chosen as emergency, has been playing particularly well as centre, full-back or five-eighths, and fully deserved his selection as emergency back. Of the forwards, Grayburn, Cutler and Cornick, also chosen for the team, are all well worth their places.
It is noticeable that the forwards of the senior team are packing much better, as many as five at once having on several occasions formed into a scrum.
Juniors.—This team was very unlucky in losing to Navy 9-12 on July 8. The backs during the second spell redeemed themselves in the eyes of the forwards by making excellent use of their opportunities. Paki at half played his usual solid game and was well supported by Macalister and Goldfinch. Among the forwards Orr again played well, and was ably helped by Meek and McKee.
Third A.—This team defeated Wellington 23-10 on July 8, and drew with Petone 0-0 on July 22. A feature of the Wellington game was the polished play of the backs, who scarcely made a mistake. Berry, as second five-eighths, is probably the best back in the team, though Ackroyd and Watson are very little inferior. Of the forwards Shires and Dowrick are outstanding throughout all play, while Todd performs ably in the loose.
This game was played in wet conditions on the sports ground, Palmerston North, on the King's Birthday. The game was confined mainly to forward play but nevertheless some very fine football was seen and the match resulted in a win for Weir 16-0.
The first try came after about 25 minutes, when, following a scrum near the Massey line Paki dived through to score an unconverted try. This was the only scoring in the first spell, but as soon as the second spell began the Weir forwards began to assert their superiority and were soon pressing in Massey's twenty-five. Following a nice opening by Smith, Charteris scored and Mataira added the extra points. Soon after Stewart collected the ball and dashed about 15 yards to score. The kick failed. Several times the Weir backs made determined efforts but the deadliness of the Massey tackling held them up. The final try came when Stubbings, following up well, dribbled the ball over to score. Mataira converted and the final score was 16-0.
While the Weir team greatly pleased the crowd, it must be remembered that Massey were unable to field their strongest team owing to some of their players suffering from injuries. The Weir boys were also ably led by Doug. Goodwin and it would indeed by unfair to make special mention of any one player without complimenting all the others on their play.
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