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There exists in this country a NZ University, whose sole function is conducting examinations and granting degrees. There also exists a NZ University Students Association, whose activities are almost as limited. It is a body which has never had a meeting which could be attended by all students, and whose members' only chance of meeting each other in any number is at sporting gatherings.
Victoria has initiated a scheme which we hope will provide a means by which the Association can become a real National Union of Students. During the long vacation, the first NZUSA Congress will be held. Anyone can come, and the Congress will take the form of a number of lectures and discussions, with a leavening of social events. All those people who are excluded from Tournaments because they are incapable of reaching a high standard in any sport, but who are interested in each other and in the problems of modern society, will find Congress an invaluable experience.
NZUSA empowered Victoria to en quire into and if possible to conduct during the long vacation of
The idea of a Student Congress is something new for NZ. Australia held one in Hobart for the first time last long vacation. The Congress is intended to be a social and educational gathering of students from all over NZ on the same general lines as those held regularly by the National Union of Students in England.
Nig. Taylor on being interviewed said that the Congress would be similar in scope to that held by the National Union of Australian University Students and it is projected at present to endeavour to arrange for a limited party of, say, 60 to 100 persons. It is hoped to obtain the use of a school with sports facilities in its grounds, preferably a place such as Masterton or Levin, or even better within short motoring distance of Wellington.
Congress will take the form of lectures on literature, music, the arts, science problems of a similar nature to those which are given by, for example. WEA Summer Schools but with special reference to the position of the student and specifically the NZ student in relation to the subjects discussed.
If run on the line's of the NUAUS Congress, leading figures in the particular spheres debated would be approached to give addresses which would be followed by discussion. It would also be valuable from the point or view of expressing student opinion on particular world issues, having the advantage of being the views ex pressed by a much larger group of active students than is represented by NZUSA. It is not, of course, suggested that the whole of the time should be devoted to intellectual pursuits but that the Congress should also be a first-rate holiday.
There is at present in NZ no opportunity for the congregation of students generally from all Colleges other than through their sporting activity and it is felt that a University is not fulfilling its function unless it also encourages intellectual and aesthetic activities. There is no forum or body in which the views of the student on problems of the world, both nationally and internationally, can be expressed and while it is not suggested that such a Congress would necessarily represent the views of all students, it would at least be a pointer to the attitude of the more active students with regard to the problems.
It is suggested that in the first instance the Congress will last for a week or 10 days and that all the costs tor this holiday should be borne by the participants. Present plans envisage that the time of the Congress will be in the last week of January or the first week of February. It is necessary to get some Idea of what support would be forthcoming from the students of each College. It can be stated that the costs would probably be not more that £7 per head for the full period and probably a great deal less.
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The Socialist Club will hold a book drive for Warsaw University "early in the first term of next session.
Warsaw University was almost completely destroyed during the war, and the library of the University completely demolished. Dr. Hampton, who has recently returned from UNRRA duty in Poland, told, the Socialist Club last term that the Students at Warsaw were trying to carry on their studies with almost no books. Dr. Zebrowska, Professor of Education at Warsaw, told us when she was here late last year that books in English on all subjects, particularly English literature, Psychology and Education were desperately needed. The University has been starved of new works on these subjects from the day the Germans first entered the country and it will take a considerable time to build up a
Students at this college should give as many books as they can spare. Books in English on any University or Training College subject are badly needed. The ISS Committee has given the project its wholehearted support and urges all students to contribute.
There will be a box in the Exec Room in which students who wish to leave books this year may do so.
Students in New Zealand have known nothing of the deprivations of occupation and it is up to us to assist in every possible way. This is one way in which everyone of us can and must help.
Through the recent drive for donations for World Student Relief, the sum of £29/13/7 was collected. We thank the 2,000 students for their generosity in subscribing so liberally to this appeal and hope that the average donation of 3d. per student will leave no one bankrupt for the remainder of the year.
To assist the Education Branch of the Military Government in the British zone of occupation in Germany, school supplies such as pencils, nibs, rubbers and pens are urgently needed. The Chief Education Officer has asked for all the assistance that can be given. Will you help by placing alt the material you can spare in the box by the stairs.
ISS appeals for college help. Names and addresses of overseas students are available from ISS committee. We suggest that vital College clubs consider supporting this effort by making themselves responsible for regular sending of parcels.
Early in the
Mr. James Bertram of the English Department has accepted the position of President of the ISS Committee. Students will recall that Sir Thomas Hunter is Patron.
These will be held on Saturdays March 20 and April 3. Club officials please avoid events on these days so that maximum student labour will be available to meet the demands of the public.
Students please keep at least one of these days free. Make a note of them now. No Excuses in
This is the final issue of "Salient" for
Watch for the first issue of
Sir,—Re the inaugural meeting of the Society for the Purpose of Propagating (aims, see below).
An insufficient number of students being "Willing to support this motion" of creating an equilibrium, "it can only be assumed that all the students here are socialist inclined" and are against being "opposed to any form of antidemocratic organisations."
Therefore, I have co-opted Betty Grable and Sheba (Queen of) to cooperate with me on the "semi" side of our Society, "In the same manner as the Socialist Club (this is Not Fascism)" leaving the other four "signatories" to disaffiliate each other for their "inept and eccentric behaviour'" in expressing their political aims and so "promote a true understanding of what democracy is and what it means."
(May their understanding reach the dimensions of their egotism.)"
Sir,—I wish to protest, through the columns of "Salient" against the indignities inflicted upon students using the college library this year. I allude to the practice of making students present library cards before borrowing books. This practice is an innovation this year, and is I think reactionary and senseless. More effective methods are available for penalising those who do not pay their Students' Association fee, as this is apparently the only rational object of this new measure. Even the Honours student who haves his card at home is prohibited from taking out books. In regard to weekend, reserved books, a double production of the card is necessary if one wishes to reserve a book earlier in the week. The limit of absurdity was reached when a library assistant was placed on the door to prevent students without their cards from entering. This is, I think, an insult to the intelligence of the conscientious students who use the library. The new policy is bureaucratic, reactionary and stupid.
Students will have read a review of the film "Indonesia Calling" in the last Issue of "Salient." They will remember that we called the film topical, an excellent example of the modern documentary, and a film well worth seeing. Those who saw the film in the preview arranged by the Socialist Club, alt agree that it is one which the people of New Zealand should see.
But the film has not yet been released. The Prime Minister has said that, in his opinion, the film may be contrary to the friendly relations existing between New Zealand and the Netherlands, and so is not to be released at present. The Wellington Waterside Workers' Union has protested against this unwarranted withholding of the film, and has received a reply from Mr. Fraser giving the excuse shown above.
Why then does the Prime Minister in effect ban the film on such shaky ground? Is he waiting to see which way the wind will blow in Indonesia; is he, as Labour Prime Minister, opposed to a film made by the Australian Labour Movement; or does he just not believe in freedom of expression on the New Zealand screen? Whatever reason has prompted him to withhold the film, his action is inexcusable.
"Salient" urges that the Prime Minister reconsider his decision in the interests of the free-expression of opinion. We note that the VUCSA Executive along with other progressive bodies has sent a letter of protest to Mr. Fraser urging him to release the film.
"Indonesia Calling" is timely and topical. It must be released.
Delegates to NZUSA Conference seem to think they are there for one or two rather odd reasons. There are those who consider the meeting a boring formality, to be concluded as soon as possible with as little as possible accomplished. Others regard the Conference as a kind of protracted Joynt Scroll Debate. They are more concerned with displays of wit and mental gymnastics, and with revealing the brilliance of their legalistic minds than with the affairs of the students. Their greatest achievement is to confuse their opponents, without any attempt to add anything of value to the discussion.
It is only as a result of conflict between these two groups that any motion is ever passed, and once passed its future is usually so uncertain that it is little wonder that so few students know of the existence of NZUSA, and that of those who do, so many regard it as another useless appendage to Easter and Winter Tournaments.
We do not concur in this view. We consider that the existence of such a body should be a matter of vital interest to every student, that it is the only body which can grapple with a number of problems of student welfare, both national and international. However, it appears to suffer from all the shortcomings of a central government.
The VUC Council Room was the venue of the Conference. This room, which has seen so many useless meetings, seems to have had some effect on the delegates, a few of whom went to sleep from time to time.
The President, Mrs. M. Scott, was still in Australia at the time of the meeting, so the chair was taken by Mr. Dowrick of VUC.
The proposal to bring Rehab, assistance to students in NZ up to the Australian level has been complicated by conflicting information on what the situation is in Australia. The resident executive hopes to clarify the position shortly.
Several motions were required to put the revised constitution in order and to provide for its printing in the near future.
The affiliation fee to IUS has been increased to 3d. per student. OU moved, VUC seconded, that the capitation fee be increased by this amount to allow for the payment of this levy. Although the meeting appeared to be in agreement with this proposal, many delegates wanted more detailed information on how the money is being spent (but they don't read "World Student News") so payment will be deferred pending the receipt of further information on the subject.
Miss Janet Bogle, who represented NZ at the World Student Conference held in Prague last year, was welcomed to the meeting and enlarged on several of the points covered in her report of the Congress, her material being drawn largely from the report of one of the Canadian delegates. Miss Bogle's impression of the Conference was distinctly unfavorable. She made repeated reference to the "Eastern bloc" and to mismanagement of meetings. However, she was able to provide the information that the report of Mr. Arcus of Australia is not satisfactory, as he left the Congress half way through to go ski-ing in Switzerland.
Mr. McLeod (VUC) then read a letter from Mr. John Ziman, NZ delegate to IUS this year, which is printed in this Issue. Miss Bogle's opinion was that Mr. Ziman's political beliefs account for his strong divergence from her own views, Mr. Ziman's report to NZUSA has not yet arrived, but we feel that this will clarify many of the issues discussed.
This is the magazine of IUS. VUC moved that each college undertake to sell 70 copies at 6d. each. AUC and CUC considered that they could dispose of one only. VUC will take unilateral action in this matter.
It was decided that it is desirable to relieve Mr. Hurst of this position as he is now very busy. Mr. D. Jones, an ex-Auckland student, was appointed to the position, and Mr. J. N. Dodd of Otago was put forward as an alternative if Mr. Jones is unable to act. Mr. Dodd was appointed as our second delegate to IUS.
Easter Conference favoured the establishment of an NZUSA paper, to be published three or four times a year. This view was supported by a conference of representatives of the college papers held during this Tournament, but has now been rejected by NZUSA. However, NZUSA will sponsor an editorial conference to be held each year at Easter Tournament.
NZUSA Congress (see separate-article)
The Chairman introduced Dr. Hubert Smith to the Conference and asked him to make some observations on the scheme.
Dr. Smith read a detailed statement on the voluntary scheme that was introduced in Victoria in
After a long discussion, the proposal for a compulsory National Students' Health Scheme was approved, although AUC, in a most unusual volte face, opposed the scheme because it does not provide for compulsory follow-up treatment. The only compulsory treatment will be that provided for by law in cases of notifiable diseases. The details of the schemes put into operation in the colleges will be worked out locally, with NZUSA as the co-ordinating body.
Mr. Stan Campbell, NZUSA Secretary, Mr. Dowrick, President VUCSA, and Mr. Symon, President CUCSA, were appointed, with Mr. Symon as head of the delegation. AUC thought the question quite innoccuous.
There was a general agreement that the number of NZU Blues being awarded is too large. A sub-committee was set up, and its recommendations, which were adopted, reject the idea of half Blues, but provide that in all sports a lower maximum be set, with provision for, further nominations by unanimous recommendation when the standard is unusually high. The proposals have been referred to the Sports Councils for consideration.
Total number of Individual participants from abroad was 15,000. Total Czech participants 62,000. Countries represented 72 (95% direct from home countries). Voluntary working weeks on reconstruction 3,100 with 24 countries participating. Festival has paid for itself.
Programme.—300 different artistic programmes, 75 sports events, 32 educational events, 37 film evenings, 12 dance evenings. In mass weekend events up to two hundred thousand participated.
Groups consisted of 44 folklore groups, 18 choirs, 12 theatre groups, 7 orchestras, 5 ballet troupes, 13 diverse groups. In the competitions there were 98 groups and teams and 108 soloists.
Sports.—Total number of events 75 in 20 sports. Twenty-seven countries took part, with total of 1,237 competitors (1,013 men and 224 women).
Exhibition.—35 countries supplied sections plus a section by UNESCO. 200,000 people visited the exhibition.
The Festival was such a success that the WFDY Council meeting charged the Executive with exploring the possibilities of holding another such Festival in two years' time (
Final Festival publicity is on the way to New Zealand, including an illustrated book and an International Song Book (compiled by the International Union of Students). Order your copies now.
Note.—Four New Zealanders took part in the Festival, Rona Bailey, Marie Pasatich, Merrin McCulloch and Doug. Luckens. They were the most distant delegates to reach Prague. The New Zealand section of the exhibition was small, having been arranged without official assistance contrary to most other sections). It included photos of youth activities, social work, education and recreation, pamphlets, a woollen rug and Maori skirts and pois. Marie Pasalich and Merrin McCulloch put on a 15-minute item of Maori songs and stick games during the open-air theatre performances, and were given an excellent reception.
The Council Meeting of the WFDY—(from the report of the NZ delegate, Mrs. Rona Bailey).
The Council meeting opened at 10 a.m. on Thursday, August 21. Nearly all Council members were housed in Tito College as it was felt that it was much better if possible to have members living in. This meeting was the largest yet held by the WFDY, including a very big number of observers.
I put up for all Council members to see the photos of the Indonesian demonstration—nice going—the copies of leaflets were delivered to Viet-Nam, Malaya, Indonesia, India, Great Britain and Holland. The photos are going to be used for World Youth. I received congratulatory messages from the Youth organisations of Greece, India. Communist China and Malaya.
Presenting the Memorial Shield to the People of Lidice—(from a letter received from Doug. Luckens).
On Saturday the 16th of August I made the presentation. We arrived about 10 a.m. at the place that was Lidice, but one would never have guessed it. Where there was once a town of brick and stone, of houses, of shops, and a church, there was now nothing but grass. Before us was a bare valley. If you looked carefully you could see vague signs of the foundations of the houses, but you would not be sure. The only real indication of what once was, were small notices placed where the main buildings had stood.
Is the name of the NZ Federation of Young People's Clubs and of the students of Victoria University College I presented the shield to the people of Lidice. On the shield were the badges of the two organisations and in a short speech I stressed that we stood behind the WFDY with the free youth of the world determined that Fascism and War would never again darken the face of the world.
The ceremony was completed by presentation of badges to the International work brigades who had completed a term at Lidice.
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The second issue of the Literary Society Broadsheet contains an editorial, three poems and an article.
The first is a discussion of Landfall Two and Book Nine, both by the Caxton Press. Landfall seems more concerned with "the mysterious 'we' who are to make culture" than Book Nine with its "less purposive approach."
This excellent comparison might have been carried still further by a comparison of Curnow's verse with Glover's. If you read Glover's "The Road Builders" you might be impressed by the unselfconscious poetry that is dignified without being snobbish, intelligent without being abstract, and intelligible without being tawdry. I agree with the editorial when it states Australian writers worry more about which way they are going than what they're doing on the way. They should realise in fact that everyone else is going in several cultural directions at some considerable speed and that if all the writers in New Zealand were killed tomorrow, some kinds of culture would go on without them. After all, some people in NZ go to the pictures, listen to the radio and talk about things that interest them. It's time NZ writers ceased their abstract, self-analytical, mental meanderings, their condescending, self-conscious, imitations of colloquialisms and began to write what they feel in clear bold and unashamed terms.
The poem "Partial Eclipse" by W.H.O., might have been published in Landfall. It is a typical compound or technical competence, "beauty in words" and insufficiency of purpose. It is one of those tantalising poems which promise you with fine language and leave you with nothing else. It's like swallowing an Adexolin pill without even the bitterness of the oil when you get to the middle.
The next two poems are by G.E.A.W. The first descends through several stanzas from August rushing through the gardens to an invocation to an unspecified deity to
"Grant, that I may reach, intact, my ultimate Objective, let me serve the whole but still remain A unit in the multitude."
If the poem had ended at the previous stanza it would have been satisfactory and, except in minor points, a reasonable attempt in quite a complex verse form. I like his second poem which includes two very good stanzas giving the poem a conclusive punch so often lacking in young poets.
"No, I have won this season, beaten Off assailants for a time, eaten The barnacles of custom from My body. So assurances Guide my face, unite my feet, and My old foes wait in vain, eke out Their vigil for a final season, doubt My reason. Walking a ridge of cloud, Escaped from them, I touch the sky And a myriad old stars shout."
The article is about Ursula Bethell. It discusses in two short pages the relation of Nature and Religion in her poetry. It is succinct and aptly illustrated with quotations that are not merely there to show how much the writer has read, but in-order to point an assertion. I am willing to dispute that "at no time do we feel that her intense delight in nature relegates religion to a secondary place in her mind." I can quote as example her poem "The Long Harbour," which is a neat integration of contemplataion of nature with the corollary association of the people who have interacted with it. The poem's subtle form and inventive language hold no hint of the religious thought discussed by D.J.B.
John Gunther, the peripatetic digester of continents, has returned to America to write the fourth volume in his "Inside" series. After thirteen months of travel he has written "Inside USA." One thousand pages. closely following the pattern of its predecessors, except that the range is greater, the detail more prolific.
Gunther begins his tour with three chapters on California, then proceeds for six more up the Pacific Coast. After inspecting the North West States he wanders in eccentric circles visiting each of the forty-eight states, examining most of the cities over 200,000 in population. He excludes Washington whose complexities will be material for a second book. Everywhere, whether he talked with the local die-hard or the local radical, the state's governor, or a shoe-shine boy, he searched with a brace of questions:
"Who really runs your community?"
"What makes it distinctive?"
From the answers properly organised, Gunther feels permitted to call his book, "a study of democracy in action." But the reader cannot but recognise it as a sugar-coated state by state chronology of the lascivious larceny, defalcation, political corruption and avarice of big-business, the lobbyists, the pressure groups. The reader is left doubting the sincerity of the "liberties" and sees free enterprise "free" only for the privileged, and too often as licensed enterprise.
In a few chapters with no regard for conventional canons he gives full treatment to several personalities. For example, there are sketches of Harry Bridges, Henry Kaiser, Henry Wallace. Ford, Walter Reuther and Colonel McCormick, who praised in an editorial, the British Dominions, for knowing more of liberty than England itself, "except New Zealand, where liberty has been overthrown by Fascism(!) and enormous graft."
I cannot summarise the author's own view of America better than by quoting one of his own sentences: "America is the greatest, the craziest most dangerous, least stable, most spectacular, least grown-up nation ever known." and Gunther should know.
Radio, "the one-dimensional theatre of sound," is a comparatively new art form which has limitations and possibilities not yet fully explored. This was quite evident when the first two plays of World Theatre were presented from 2YA recently. The adaption of the stage plays—Gilbert Murray's translation of Euripides' "Trojan Women" and Marlowe's "Dr. Faustus"—showed an intelligent attempt at tackling the medium.
The historical origins of the two types of drama were reflected in the success of one and the failure of the other to sustain interest. Greek drama with its choral beginnings is more adapted to the change of medium than the early Elizabethan play with Its roots in the medieval spectacle.
The Seven Deadly Sins of Dr. Faustus are certainly deadly without the accompanying spectacle, and the episodic nature of the play is unfortunately too evident. Interest does not flag in the "Trojan Women." however, as the magnificent tragedy is more dependent on the voice alone. The resultant success was largely due to the radio acting of the feminine aide of the caste: Menelaus with the emotional quiver in his voice was just adequate, Poseidon was weak and the Herald capable; but the four women, without exception, seemed to feel the depths of the tragedy.
Sybil Thorndyke managed to put the age, spirit and whole character of Hecuba into her well-varied elocution, although she sounded a trifle masculine in patches. Cassandra, god-inspired, sent the requisite chill down the listener's spine and was assisted by the hollow-sounding acoustics of the studio. This change in quality was also used most effectively for the Angel in Dr. Faustus, and indicates a healthy effort to widen the limitations of the medium.
The touch of melodramatic rhetoric in Andromache's speech on Hector and fallen Troy was well suited to radio presentation and the actress's ringing voice made full use of the possibilities. Helen's chacter called for a more subtle voice control, and her fabulous beauty, so hard to render on the stage, was echoed by her versatile eloquence and pleasing voice.
Character in Faustus suffered through too much attention to elocutionary correctness and the actors seemed to be unable to blow the breath of life into Marlowe's "flat" roles. The adaption of the slapstick comedy was an utter failure, while the changing scenes of the play and to be indicated by a fruity voice uttering "Enter Faustus in his study." and other ridiculous stage directions. The rising melodrama at the end fell flat after the interminable episodes which preceded it.
But the most important
The limitation of three speaking characters on the classical stage is very appropriate to radio, where voices are hard to distinguish, but this is only one of the many factors which made the "Trojan Women" such a great success. A few more of these productions and we may see radio lifted from the average intelligence of 13 years" or which the father or broadcasting Lee de Forest complained a few months ago.
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Dedication: To her, curse her.
Canterbury Lambs Number 2 (published by the CUC Literary Club.
The other stories are all about Maoris. They are not the result or temporary identification of the writers with the Maori psyche, or ideology, not even of true familiarity, but of observation. The authors found it obviously pleasanter to notice
Furthermore there is an essay by D. M. Anderson discussing the phenomenon or poetry written after man's "Fourth Decade." This essay is not unusual in quality: it seems to accept without much scrutiny what Mr. Auden thinks about the "insufficiency of the dream world," which is supposed to become obvious in the "fourth decade" and drive men to religion. But this doubt about the world of poetry is a quite distinctive feature of Mr. Auden and some of his generation, at all periods of their creative productiveness. Mr. Anderson blurs the significance of these individual and period differences; this blur seems to present Mm coming to any conclusion or thesis. To show the problem in Eliot, he selects a line quoted from Dante in the Waste Land. However, Mr. Anderson discovered a question where there is one; he quotes a wide range of authors in whom his problem manifests itself, and generally to the point. I should say we have few people at Victoria with this amount of under-standing.
The poems, in as far as they are written In Canterbury, are not remarkable. Poetic precision is only reached by W. H. Oliver, and a pleasing idea, by Pat Wilson, both from Victoria.
The Council of the International Union of Students met in Prague from July 31 to August 11. It was only the second meeting of the governing body since IUS was set up by the World Student Congress last year, and I have just returned from representing NZUSA there. It was a fascinating experience; I wish I could convey the spirit of enthusiasm and unity that we all felt; that message properly transmitted would more than justify our work and expense.
The trip from London to Prague by train 1B very tiring (it takes about 36 hours) but, for a first visit to the Continent, very interesting. France and Paris were not so unusual, or different from what I imagined; like England only more dilapidated, more irregular, more Mediterranean. But for one whole brilliant summer day we crossed Bavaria, leaving the Rhine at daybreak and reaching the pine forests of the Sudeten lands in the evening. I can understand the remark of the American soldier "why did the Nazis want to leave this country?" It is beautiful rolling country, a patchwork of gold and green, dotted with orderly villages, of redroofed houses guarding bold white washed churches. The agriculture surprised me. It is so primitive with peasants ploughing their strips behind two oxen, and reaping their harvest with hand sickles. I don't remember seeing a single tractor or mechanical harvester. The cities alone bear the signs of war. From a distant train in bright daylight the destruction was not as horrible as I had imagined, but it was obvious that the big towns, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Nuremburg were decorticated, and that little attempt has been made to repair their centres.
Prague, which is by way of becoming the capital of central Europe, is a clean, handsome city, a real source of pride for its inhabitants. It spreads over the hills on each bank of the Vltava, which flows and winds under numerous beautiful bridges, past 11th century towers, post the great castles and cathedral, past the magnificent palaces of Hungarian nobles (these Baroque masterpieces, covered with fine tracery, little statues and enormous windows, are now mostly office buildings) and past several excellent modern night clubs. The whole of the city is very gay with bunting, ostensibly for the Youth Festival, but I suspect that the Czechs like flags for their own sake. They certainly like singing, for we often heard squads of soldiers singing lustily and harmoniously as they marched down the street.
For a short visit, and having my meals provided it was difficult to judge the standard of life of the Czechs. Prices seemed about two-thirds of English prices, and I am told wages are about half of purs. There seemed to be bread, and some meat, and a little milk, but scarcely any fata. The only fruits were plums and pears, and vegetables were not prolific. I think the food situation must be rather difficult, but I saw no sign of a black market. At all events, Czech beer is wonderfully cheap and wonderfully good, while cigarettes are expensive and nasty.
The best shops in Prague are the booksellers which constitute about one in five of all the shops, and stock everything, either in translation or original. Newspaper stalls, too, are on every corner. I can't tell you much of what was in them, as I did not have time to train a pet interpreter, but I gathered that they were by no means one-sided in their views. Even in the suburbs I could buy any of the previous day's English dailies, from the "Telegraph" to the "Worker," which contrasted with Paris, where the only daily English paper you could buy, except at the Railway Stations, was the "Continental Daily Mail. From conversations, and political posters and cartoons, Czech political life seems very active, and united only in bitter hate for the Germans.
All the Council delegates were housed in the Zitova Kolej, a fine modern building, hostel for Yugoslav students in Prague. The sleeping arrangements were not very good (many people used kilos of DDT driving off bedbugs) and the food rather dull, but the general organisation of meetings was excellent. We met in the gymnasium of a nearby school, a very suitably sized room, with desks for each delegataion.
The best job of the meeting was done by the interpreters, of whom the chief, Susie, spoke about six languages fluently, and contributed greatly to the success of the Council. Every speech had to be translated into English, French or Russian, which dragged out the proceedings, but gave time for taking notes or thinking in between. On the whole, however, English was the most usual language (sometimes in an almost unrecognisable form) which was an advantage to' many of us. Apart from the actual speeches, we received copies of numerous reports, resolutions, comments, etc., which were cyclostyled and distributed twice a day, forming a concrete skeleton for discussion.
The delegates, 94 of them, from 42 countries, were as motley a crew as you could hope to find. They included Chinese, a Cuban, Indonesians, Albanians, a Mongolian, etc. not to mention all the European countries. When we sat. down for a meal, we never quite knew who was going to sit next to us, but there was never any sign of discrimination or personal dissension. Indeed, more valuable than the actual formal meetings were the social contacts in free hours. We worked very hard, all day and most evenings, for two days longer than we Intended, but there was stir time for some visits to the Featival concerts and two magnificent receptions, and an enormous amount of Information about our respective countries was swapped. I was very, amused, for example to hear, one dinner time, a very shrewd American Catholic girl pumping the Indonesian delegate about the number of Communists in his government. A small item perhaps, but it may have its effect when Sally returns to the States.
The highlight of the Conference, to my mind, was the impromptu "party in a local pub, one evening after a busy day. We were each 'singing our national songs to the accompaniment, of cheering, clapping and shouting, when John Redrup from Australia and Orest Sheftsov from the Ukraine came in, and announced that they had come to an agreement about a particularly important resolution. We insisted on a song, and they immediately chanted the whole resolution to us, sub-clauses and all. It is a pity UNO can't do the same.
Of the actual work of the Council it is difficult to speak briefly. In fact speaking briefly was not a characteristic of many of the delegates and it will take some time sorting through my notes to prepare a full report for NZUSA before I can see it in perspective. The best work done seems to have been in obtaining new contacts and membership. In the USA a national student union may soon be formed directly as a result of IUS and the World Students' Congress. From China we now have two delegates, one from each region, instead of the embassy-appointed stooges of last year. Several resolutions have clarified certain points in the constitution in such a way as to make it much easier for certain countries to come in and stay in. It was recognised, for instance, that the Executive has effectively no power to compel a national organisation against its wishes; only the Council can debate and decide in such a case. The political activities of IUS were also carefully defined in terms of the special needs of students. (This was the work of John Redrup, the Australian, who has been elected to the Executive, and who can do a grand job for IUS in the Pacific area.) We discussed formulated principles and activities concerned with the demo-cratisation of the Universities, and with the needs of colonial students. In this work, in particular, we are sending commissions to many countries, Germany, Greece, the Middle
East, to investigate conditions on the spot. We divide in two to discuss the work of the various departments of IUS: Travel and Exchange, Press and Information, Economic, Social and Health, Sports, Intellectual Cooperation, and Relief and Reconstruction. The proposed plans were in the main approved, with some practical additions. We had considerable discussions on finance and on the budget, and on the work of the Secretariat.
The Council meeting indeed uncovered some of the weaknesses in IUS. These were very adequately and forcibly expressed by an English delegate at the last session. There was a tendency towards vague generalities instead of practical planning. There was not enough international spirit, too much use of the Council as a forum for airing national grievances. Delegations were insufficiently prepared with remits, information or proposals. The procedure of meetings was too lax, standing orders were not clear enough. These faults are understandable in a young organisation, and it is a good thing that they have been openly expressed. When we return next year, we shall be determined not to repeat them. The other major weaknesses, also clearly expressed by many delegations, are the result of insufficient support for IUS on a national level. In the paying of subscriptions, in the passing on of information, the distribution of "World Student News," the general lack of active liaison in each country has seriously hampered the work of the Secretariat and crippled their financial plans. We delegates can do little but actively organise for the IUS when we report back home. Here, indeed, is where NZ students can help. We are a well-to-do, unscathed nation that can well afford to pay 6d. per head to IUS, contribute to World Student Relief, and learn a bit about the world by reading "World Student News." It is not enough to send delegates and talk piously. Hard cash is needed, and we contracted to pay it when we joined. We should meet our obligations.
These are the weaknesses. The strength of the IUS is that it genuinely represents about two million students, perhaps 70 per cent of the world's total. Its strength lies in the overriding sense of unity of purpose, aims and ideals, beyond the conflicts of formal meetings. Its value lies in its role as a bridge between nations, increasing co-operation, sympathy and understanding. Its strength lies in the freedom of expression in its meetings, where I can honestly say that no voice was drowned or overborne. Its value, above all, lies in the work it is doing and can do to improve the lot, physical and mental of every student in the world.
They got a Lit'ry Society at the University so I goes along to a meetin' an' I 'ears some bloke talkin' about writin' in New Zealand.
'E's all gloom an' 'e says a writin' cove can't make a livin' 'ere not no 'ow, an' th', great New Zealand novel ain't been wrote yet an' th' only man 'e knows wot depends on writin' for a livin' lives with some cabbages in a pair of denims be'ind a 'edge.
An' I can't figure this out at all, at all. Then I finds 'e's talkin' about writin' for th' Intelli, intelli—Th' superior blokes wot 'ave 'ad a lot of eddykashun. "Igh brow chaps.
So I puts in me spoke an' saz yu' can make a livin' writin' in New Zealand if yu' write fer th' people an' don't worry 'bout th' 'telllgensia.
An' 'e sez but that means writin' tripe. An' I sez it's better to write tripe an' eat than write for th' clever blokes an' go 'ungry.
An" then th' lit'ry blokes get to talkin' of this an' that an' 'ow bad th' soppy stuff 1S an' I get to wonderin' if they've ever tried writin' it an' found it ain't easy 'cos I know it ain't easy seein' ag 'ow I 'ad a shot at doin' a love yarn an' I get th' boy and th" girl kissin' somethin' beaotiful at th' end jus' like yu' oughto but th' editor bloke I send it to sends it right back with a "I'm sorry but—" note.
Then th' lecturer chap said if yu' wanna make good go west, young man, go west, 'cos there's a bigger' better market in th' Old Dart an' a book won't sell more'n 2,000 if it's printed 'ere an' that ain't enough to buy cheese for a mouse trap but if it's printed on the other side it'll sell 60,000 an' that's enough for a sweet at th' Savoy.
So I sez wot yu' want is population. Get more people 'ere an' you'll sell more books.
But 'e looks self-conscious like an' sez there oughta be a Gov'ment grant to local writers an' they want to get together an' mix with other writers an' arty folk which they can't do 'ere anyway.
An' gettin' together an' havin' a few drinks gives 'em uplift an' helps 'em to do more work better. An' if yu' subsidise 'em long enough yer'll get a genius in th' end an' that'll be worth all the subsidies you've paid because if yu' 'adn't paid th' subsidies 'e'd 'ave 'ad to work 'is 40 hours same as you an' me an' so 'e wouldn't 'ave 'ad time to be a genius.
An' I don't know as 'ow I agree but I don't say nothin'. I'm thinkin' of the night I went to th' Black Cat Club, see. It's near Piccadilly this Black Cat Club an' there's a lot of writers an' artists there an' black men dancin' with white women but I don't see nobody gettin' no uplift.
An' then 'e sez someone oughto go to th' Continent an' write a book about New Zealanders eatin'. But I can't see as 'ow it's unusual to be eatin.
An' it's a poor show, th' bloke sez, that we get our kulture from Blighty an' read about nightin' gales we'll never see an' cuckoos we'll never 'ear. An' why can't we 'ave a lit'rature of our own an' be paid for it. An' once they've 'ad a story or two off of yu' editors won't take no more 'cos they're tired of seein' yer name in print. An' th' meetin's all mis'ry an' woe an' there ain't no justice an' yu' can't write in New Zealand an' you'll starve if yu' do.
An' I listens to these eddykated blokes an' I makes up me mind I ain't never goin' to write nothin'. I don't wanna live be'ind no 'edge with some cabbages in denims.
After being absent from New Zealand for some time serving with UNRRA in Europe, Dr. W. B. Sutch, one of VUC's most famous graduates, has returned to NZ. Since his return he has given several public talks, including two at Training College and one, on the situation in Europe, to the Socialist Club.
He showed in this talk that in Eastern Europe the war has constituted a real revolution, because the Nazis destroyed the state governments, and the breakdown of Nazism resulted in the growth of popular governments everywhere. The role of the so-called coalition parties in these countries was made clear. The old conservative parties are so discredited and weakened that all the conservatives are united in one party which often has a very misleading name.
He found Greece the most corrupt country he has visited except for fascist China. The Greek Government held up CORSO material in order to distribute it as bribes just before the election, but no investigation was ever made. In contrast to this. Yugoslav distribution of relief material was scrupulously fair, and yet much time was wasted investigating trumped up charges of unfair distribution.
Published fortnightly by the Victoria University College Students' Association and printed for them by The Commercial Printing Co. Ltd., Boulcott Avenue, Wellington.
The most often repeated remark around the College for the last week seems to have been: "VUC can well be proud of itself." It is certainly some achievement to have risen from being the perennial holder of the wooden spoon to second place, but there is no ground for unbridled optimism on this score, because most of the points seem to have been scored in sports in which the number of competitors is small (and for which the number of points is correspondingly small).
In our opinion the most pleasing feature of the Tournament is the effort of the Soccer team in tying for first place with Otago and Auckland. However, we have no wish to write down the clubs which won their events—Basketball, Fencing and Golf. The basketballers deserve all credit for their win, as Canterbury have been undisputed leaders in this field ever since the contest was inaugurated. The shooting team, too, did well, but of the other sports the less said the better.
It seems that Ski-ing is not to be included in Winter Tournament, and that the Ski Council will have separate status corresponding to that of the Rugby Football Council. VUC gained second place in this sport, largely due to the effort of Roy McKenzie, who made fastest time in both the Downhill and Slalom events, and went on to win the National Champ. Slalom at Mt. Egmont under very trying conditions.
Victoria's much vaunted prowess in intellectual sports was not very evident, although we gained a convincing win in Bledisloe Medal, Ben O'Connor being awarded first place and Kevin O'Brien third. In Joynt Scroll Debating we took second place to Otago but did not gain any or the first three places.
Socially, the Tournament seems to have been at least as successful as usual, in spite of "Critic's" bitching about the Ball. You can roughly gauge the cost, of the Tournament from the length of the Treasurer's face.
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On the night of November 17, at 5.30, Kelburn Park will resound with groans and sighs as the VUC Athletic Club commences its activities for the season.
The Club has excellent prospects and the Committee is looking forward, at last, to a season when 'Varsity athletes will once more dominate the local championships.
Unfortunately we are still short of women athletes (all shapes and sizes) and if I have half an eye, then there are many lasses around 'Varsity with the required limbs. (This is the opinion of the writer only—Ed.)
We made a start last season but this year we want to see quite a team out regularly on Saturdays.
Important events to note are:—
Opening Club Night: Kelburn Park, Monday, November 17.Wellington Championships: Second and third Saturdays of Varsity Inter-Faculty Sports: Kelburn Park, March 13; 9.30–12, 2–4,30.NZU Tournament: Dunedin, Easter,
Club nights are held on Kelburn Park every Monday night at 5.30.
Any further information about athletics can be obtained from any Committee member, or from Trevor Levy, 46-557 (work). 54-349 (home).
Headquarters.—The Star Boating Club, Jervois Quay (52-313).
We are the keenest of all clubs and our last, season was among the best we have enjoyed. Just think of those long, cool summer evenings when you are driving through the spiritful waters of beloved Port Nicholson in our new eight—yes, a brand-new eight which will arrive in January!
Rowing is a magnificent sport and one of the finest ways of keeping healthy. On the social side there is no need to emphasise the luscious delights of our dances and picnics. We engage in all regattas and all members have full privileges of the Club and are eligible to row in inter-College events at Easter Tournament.
You are assured of a salty season, hard serious training under the best coaches the rowing world has to offer, clean sport, irresistible fun, and companionship.
On Saturday, October 4, at 2 p.m., we hope that His Excellency, a former oarsman, will open the season. New members and old salts, don't hesitate to join a full welcome. The Redding Shield Regatta will be rowed and there will be social entertainment. This is one of the notable occasions when the Rowing Club is en fete, so please come with your girl friends to meet the Secretary on the skids.
Principal Events.—NZ Championships, Inter-Provincial Eights, Inter-Club Regattas and Eights, Inter-Varsity Eights and Fours (Easter Tournament), Wanganui, Picton and Wellington Regattas.
Training.—Every evening from 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays.
Officers.—Club Captain, S. H. Gillen (B. 43/060); Deputy Club Captain, K. G. Honore (B. 46-600, H. 50-362); Secretary-Treasurer, G. A. H. Ward (B. 45-193, H. 41-981).
Committee: V. E. Donnelly (B. 46-078), G. Marryatt, M. Pownall (H. 53-029). D. H. Thomas (B. 28-012, H. 26-049).
Opening Day.—Saturday,
Don't wait till later. Come to the sheds right now!
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Training has started again in preparation for the forthcoming Easter Tournament at Dunedln. It will be remembered that Victoria was first in
On Tuesday, September 9, from 4 to 5 p.m., the Psych. Lab. presented a pleasant and almost gala appearance to the surprised eyes of past and present senior students of philosophy, accustomed as they were to seeing it under more sober conditions.
In the presence of about forty people—staff, students, and ex-studenta—Mr. Hearnshaw of the Philosophy Department was bade "God speed and good luck" on the occasion of his departture to take up the position of Professor of Psychology at Liverpool University. After we partook of coffee and cakes from flower-furnished tables, Mr. Congalton asked Miss E. D. Maysmor to speak on behalf of present senior students, and then Mr. Frank Simpson spoke for philosophy honours and past senior students. Both accented what was obvious to all who had studied under Mr. Hearnshaw—-his enthusiasm for his work, his invaluable help and friendliness to students, his great ability, and his enviable reputation both in the College and in the community.
A presentation of some books was made, after which Mr. Hearnshaw thanked everyone, referring to the happy years he had Bpent here, and voicing the hope that he might visit us in a few years' time, when he hoped to Bee the Philosophy and Psychology Departments separated, and thus organised on more satisfactory lines.
To any who were likely to be in England during the next few years, he issued an invitation to "come up to Liverpool," where they would probably be entertained in the New Zealand Room that he and Mrs. Hearnshaw were already planning for their new home.
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The annual general meeting of the Swimming Club will be held on Tuesday, September 30 at 8 p.m. It is hoped that all persons interested will endeavour to be present. Kindly watch the notice boards for information regarding the room in which the meeting is to be held.
The outgoing Committee hones that in the coming season more people will take an active interest in the affairs of the Swimming Club. It has, for many years past, been the small membership which has retarded the progress of the Club. Last season the competitive swimming of the Club was most successful and we hope that this year it might be possible for the Club to stage a carnival on its own account.
It seems most likely that this season the Club nights, will once again be held on Thursday at Thorndon Baths and that our first night will be the week after final examinations are concluded.
Anyone requiring information concerning the Club, please ring J. Bennett 4-147 (day) or 46-229 (night).
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I have a flapper on the carrier And some day I'm going to marry her.