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For some years the financial position of the Association has been in a fairly uneasy state. Shortly after the war the student roll was 2400 and there were reserves accumulated from the war years. Since then the roll has dropped to 2050 and costs have soared terrifically. The only increased money available has been from the bringing of the Training College fee up to the same as that for other students. This does not produce much more than £40 or £50. The reserves were spent shortly after the war on various items and it has only been close and detailed budgeting that has kept us going. The deficit has been wiped out in the ordinary account although we are committed to more fixed expenditure.
Two years ago the Association in General Meeting recognised the danger and asked for the Executive to investigate whether the fees should be raised, but the Executive reported against a raising of the fee. However, the present Executive, faced with a current money shortage and the sureness that worse will come for future Executives; has been considering the matter.
Its Finance Committee investigated the problem and emerged with two recommendations, one of which the Executive adopted in full and the other in a slightly modified form. These ideas will be placed before a General Meeting to be held in the Gym on Wednesday, May 30, at 8 p.m. The purpose of this article is to urge you to be there and to place before you in advance the reasons for the proposals. It is not intended to be a detailed examination of all the pros and cons but rather a general summary. The matter will be fully debated and all questions frankly answered at the General Meeting.
The first proposal seeks to divert part of an appropriation fixed in the Constitution to our General Fund for a period of three years. The appropriation is that at present paid to the Building Fund. At the moment 4/- per head of membership plus at least £100 is paid annually to the Building Fund. As we have now collected a large amount towards the building and as we have urgent need of money which cannot reasonably be met out of any raising of the fee, the idea is to divert the 4/- per head for three years. This will provide a sum of just over £1200. What will it be used for?
In the first place of recent years the finances of the Cafeteria have been our No. 1 headache, at least until a private contractor took over. In the first two terms of
In addition to this the money available for grants in the current year is only about £750 when £950 appears to be the reasonable minimum. As a result the only money for grants this year so far has been to
The second financial proposal is to raise the fee to £2/5/-. Now the fee was last raised to £1/12/6 in
The finance committee and Executive consider that £4700 is needed to finance the Association in a proper fashion for a year at today's cost. The biggest single item in that is £1000 for grants. This is caused by the need to meet huge costs for equipment and in some cases, essential affiliation fees. Further to that is the desire to restore some of the cuts made in recent years, particularly to cultural club grants. With a student roll of 2100 £2/5/- is called for.
Administration is another big cost, but must be met to run our affairs efficiently. We are forced to pay reasonably competitive wages, and they are rising. It should be noted that last year our Accountant proposed a reduction of £50 in his salary as his duties were less since the Cafeteria was taken over by an outside firm.
Three years ago travelling subsidies were cancelled for teams in an effort to stem the tide of difficulty. This has put some clubs in a difficult position and it appears reasonable that these subsidies should be restored.
Tournaments are a big expense and it is estimated that over a cycle of two years when we have one at home and three away, we need £350 per year to finance them. NZUSA is proposing to raise its affiliation fee, but this will only cost another £45. In addition, in general all costs are steadily rising.
This then without too much financial and accounting hocus-pocus is the story. If the proposals are not agreed to, then the only alternative is cutting down on many items. The fee increase would operate from 1952. Please consider the matter and come to the meeting prepared to vote on sound and informed lines after hearing the discussion. Apart from a proportion of the £200 extra for this year's sports, the current Executive will not have this money to spend, so don't think it is pushing its own barrow.
There will be some other constitutional matters to discuss too, mainly concerned with making our Constitution consistent throughout. One however, will deal with the important matter of Fencing Blues. Be sure to attend!
On
It has been editorially stated in "Salient" that the United Nations was justified "since the aggressor was clear, although the resolution was illegal." But was it illegal? Let us examine the position.
The United Nations military intervention in Korea is based on three resolutions of the Security Council, taken in the absence of the USSR because of its objection to the Chinese representative. At an emergency meeting of the Security Council at 2 p.m. on June 25, under the Presidency of M. Gopala Menon, of India, the following resolution was adopted:
The Security Council,—
Recalling the finding of the General Assembly in its resolution of
Mindful of the concern expressed by the General Assembly in its resolution of
Noting with grave concern the armed
Determines that his action constitutes a broach of the peace,
Calls for the immediate cessation of hostilities; and Calls upon the authorities of North Korea to withdraw forthwith their armed forces to the thirty-eighth parallel; Calls upon all Members to render every assistance to the United Nations in the execution of this resolution and to refrain from giving assistance to the North Korean authorities. This resolution was adopted in a paragraph-by-paragraph vote and as a whole, by 9-0, with Yugoslavia abstaining.
The Security Council met again on the afternoon of June 27 and adopted the following resolution:—
The Security Council,—
Having determined that the armed attack upon the Republic of Korea by forces from North Korea constitute a breach of the peace,
Having called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, and
Having called upon the authorities of North Korea to withdraw forthwith their armed forces to the thirty-eighth parallel, and
Having noted from the report of the United Nations Commission for Korea that the authorities in North Korea have neither ceased hostilities nor withdrawn their armed forces to the thirty-eighth parallel and that urgent military measures are required to restore international peace and security.
Having noted the appeal from the Republic of Korea to the United Nations for immediate and effective steps to secure peace and security.
Recommends that the Members of the United Nations furnish such assistance to the Republic of Korea as may be necessary to repel the aimed attack and to restore international peace and security in the area.
The resolution was adopted by a vote of 7-1. Yugoslavia voted against, while Egypt and India did not take part, as they had not received instructions from their governments. One June 30 Egypt's representative, Mahmoud Fawzi Bey, reported that he would have abstained in the voting had he received instructions. Sir B. N. Rau of India, on the other hand, stated: "The halting of aggression and the quick restoration of peaceful conditions are essential preludes to a satisfactory settlement. The Government of India therefore accepts the second resolution of the Security Council."
The Council did not have at its disposal the forces that it should have had under Article 43 for enforcement purposes. Therefore, as the military situation deteriorated it was decided to establish a unified command. The following resolution was adopted on July 7:—
The Security Council,—
Having determined that the armed attack upon the Republic of Korea by forces from North Korea constitutes a breach of the peace,
Having recommended that Members of the United Nations
The resolution was passed 7 to 0, with Egypt, India, and Yugoslavia abstaining. The U.S.S.R., meanwhile, claimed that the decisions taken by the Security Council in its absence were illegal. A statement made on July 4 by Mr. Andrei A. Gromyko, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, was, at the request of Mr. Yakov A. Malik, permanent representative of the USSR to the United Nations, circulated as an official document of the Security Council.
Concerning the legal effect of the resolutions of the Security Council, Mr. Gromyko is reported in the official United Nations publication, "Korea and the United Nations" ( "Furthermore, the American resolution was adopted in violation of the Charter, which stipulates that all Security Council decisions must be adopted by not less than seven affirmative votes. The American resolution was adopted by only six votes, the seventh being that of the 'Kuomintangite Tsiang Ting-Fu, who unlawfully occupies China's seat in the Security Council.' Second, the decision was taken in the absence of two permanent members, China and the U.S.S.R., and the Charter provides that all major decisions in the Council must have the concurring votes of the five permanent members. This, then, deprived the resolution of June 27 of any legal force. "In another respect, the Security Council decision violated a most important principle of the Charter, which 'directly forbids the intervention of the United Nations organisation in the domestic affairs of any state, when it is a matter of conflict between two groups in one state.'"
The Russian allegations can be most comfortably disposed of one at a time. As Mr. Warren R. Austin, of the United States, Sir Gladwyn Jebb, of the United Kingdom, and M. Jean Chauvel, of France, pointed out to Mr. Malik as soon as he had returned to the Council to assume the presidency for August, China's representations is covered by Rule 17 of the rule of procedure.
This provides that a Council member to whose credentials objections are made in the Council shall continue to sit, with the same rights as other representatives, until the Council has decided the matter. The Council had not pronounced the credentials of the Chinese representative out of order, and his status
Sir Gladwyn also stated (a few days later) that "wars between people of the same race, even when they did not involve a government set up under the aegis of the United Nations, were by no means exempt from decisions of the Security Council. If the Council decided that a civil war constituted a threat to or breach of the peace, nothing could prevent its taking action to put an end to the incident." He quoted in support Article 2 (7) of the Charter:—
"Nothing contained in the present Charter shall authorise the United Nations to intervene in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any state or shall require Members to submit such matters to settlement under the present Charter; but this principle shall not prejudice the application of enforcement measures under Chapter VII."
This leaves the question of Russia's own absence from the meetings under discussion. Let us examine Article 27, dealing with the voting procedure in the Security Council:—
Now, as Dr. Alberto I. Alvarez, of Cuba, pointed out to the Security Council very early in the game (July 7), "the Soviet Union had itself accepted the position on many occasions that the abstention of a permanent member docs not constitute a veto." The precedent was well established.
As early as
On that occasion, one paragraph of the first resolution was adopted by a vote of 7 members, including the concurring votes of only two permanent members, 3 permanent members abstaining; another paragraph was adopted by a vote of eight members, including the concurring votes of three permanent members, two permanent members abstaining. (Official Records of the Security Council, 2nd Year, No. 68 pp. 1700, 1703, 1711-12). As far as I can ascertain, the ruling was not challenged at the time.
The position is, therefore, that Russia neither voted nor vetoed, and furthermore, the unilateral declaration by the USSR that its voluntary abstention would make it impossible for the Security Council to take nonprocedural decisions having legal force has, in fact, no basis in the Charter.
What is tolerance? This one question, so long a part of the esprit behind democracy, is now the important question for the democratic world to answer.
In this issue we publish an article on the Martinsville Seven whose execution is an example of that kind of intolerance known as racial discrimination. About the time that our last issue went to press liberal newspaper, La Prensa, became yet another newspaper absorbed into a political machine. Dictators Peron, Stalin and Franco remain. Racial segregation is part of the South African Government's policy. In New Zealand the Emergency Regulations severely limit the freedoms of the citizens of this democracy.
It is easy to say that tolerance and liberty complement one another. It gets us no nearer to deciding how tolerant the state must be. Yet in practical affairs this problem is, of course, solved daily. Society cannot tolerate the man who shoots people, he who steals and those who are dangerously mad. The common good is protected. Once the issue is ideological then tolerance is a perilous concept—a very vague concept—a very uncomfortable concept.
The slow division of the world has emphasised this problem until we are forced to face the issue. Can we permit Communism the political force to have equal rights? is it democracy to allow a system to exist whose purpose is to overthrow the democratic system ?
Under normal conditions this could be answered in the affirmative. Democracy must allow discussion, must defeat communism on democracy's princples or admit that democracy is a failure. Recent Communist activity is persuading the free world that it must think again.
Racial discrimination, Peron and Franco, are not part of this problem. Their aim is not world domination. Neither has a philosophy to impose. Neither has the means to impose it. Racial discrimination will die out as the non-white peoples of the world mature and accept responsibility.
Ideologically Communism is dead. It has been rejected too often to be resurrected, but the political machine created in its image and fired by its original enthusiasm remains. It has no rules, demands unflinching obedience, knows no rule of law, admits of no ethics except that of the good of the party, denies religion and seeks its destruction, and can use any means good or bad for the attainment of its end: world communism.
Now that the philosophy is dead the centre of that system must be Moscow and the Soviet machine.
Much has been written and said at Victoria about the red spectre haunting its halls. Now that that spectre haunts the world thinking men must answer the question: How tolerant must democracy be?
For the West whose record is none too clean, past history often nothing to be proud of, the answer is not easy. The question is Australia's political headache.
The answer is not simple. Any decision to depart from the tradition is fraught with tremendous danger. Nevertheless this time it must be faced. This University which has a proud liberal tradition faces the prospect of guarding that tradition by limiting toleration. What is your answer?
Sir.—Having at last had reason to visit the men's cons, at this College, I was shocked to notice the primitive washing conditions. Throe towels were supplied for the needy and all were of the same delightful mourning tones.
Now, Sir, it seems to me that since the Prime Minister has promised the U.S. that we will follow thorn through thick and thin, that we might as well all be in the Swim together. ("That was a dirty one, was it not?") What about some paper towels, and, while we are at it, just a little bit of soap capable of raising a lather in our stead?
Dear sir,—This a reply to the attack on Mr. Bollinger and myself in the last issue of Salient (No. 4 pg. 3) entitled "In re the Socialist Club, the Executive v Two meeting Organisers."
You say, if the Executive had insisted on us putting our assurance in writing, no confusion would have been possible. That is not correct, because we submitted that talking on the Waterfront Emergency Regulations included the background of these Regulations and the reason why they were gazetted.
You also state: "the speakers trespassed" on their subject. If they did then why didn't Messrs O'Brien and O'Brien stop the meeting, as the Executive had previously voted them that they might?
The article says "it is not possible to exonerate the Socialist Club representatives after hearing their attempts at explanation." The executive had far more to explain than us. They just haven't the moral backbone to come out openly against the regulations as have subsequent student meetings. It just so happens that the Executive does not represent the student opinion on this matter. In fact they condone the Regulations by acting like student policemen. "We'll let you have free speech, but we'll control it for you."
The Executive are elected, not as college prefects, but as a body to protect students' interests and to preserve their hard won freedoms. Contrast this shameful incident with a more recent meeting the Socialist Club had in the main college building. Mr. Barnes spoke to 130 students—there were no emergency meetings of the Professorial Board, and we weren't asked to give assurances.
Students will know what to do with the present Executive at the next elections in June.
Mr. algie in dominion,
It is pleasing to see that a lightbulb has been renewed near the telephone vestibule. However, a writing-ledge and an up-to-date, less dog-eared directory would be a convenience.
Too bad that more accommodation is not provided at Exec, meetings for those people who wish to listen to President O'Brien's pungent and occasionally amusing remarks.
£130 was spent on the magazine-rack and partition in the common common-room last year. Now, how about some magazines! Although there are many of this year's, and
Where are magazines sponsored by the Charter Club, the Literary Society, and other clubs? Perhaps the Association could subsidise the purchase of some current magazines.
"Home wanted, for cat, good ratter and mouse killer. Apply Exec, room." Surely all the pests in Exec. room aren't exterminated yet.
In accordance with the motion passed at the initial meeting of students deairing to form a Peace Club the interim committee met recently to draw up a constitution and statement of aims.
Believing that one of the most unfortunate developments since the end of World War II has been the manner in which the Peace Movement in all lands has become branded as "suspect," the committee is endeavouring to make the V.U.C. Club as representative of all shades of opinion as possible.
With this end in view the following manifesto of aims will be submitted for ratification by the inaugural meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of the new Term.
All students are urged to consider them and come along to the meeting prepared to discuss them.
As students we could establish an effective Peace Group which could materially assist in preventing the drift to war. So roll up at the Lower Gym 8 p.m. 2nd Thursday in the Term. If you have any criticisms to make air them then.
The Peace Group Int. Committee.
The report by the (Commission) Commonwealth Consultative Committee which met in London in September and October 1950 begins thus:
"
The people of Asia have long felt the pressure of poverty and hunger. While the realisation of self-government could not of itself relieve this situation, it has made possible a new approach to the problem of raising living standards through the vigorous development of national resources."
The Report and admission it makes by way of explanation is highly instructive at the present time. It has become fashionable of late, particularly among British Cabinet ministers to say: "Yes Britain has been very wicked in the past in oppressing the peoples of Asia but now it is different." It is necessary at least, to pretend that the conscience of the Minister of State for the Colonies is free, enlightened and socialist We recognise the obligation to reform our ways—let us go forward together into the wonderful future, arm in arm with our coloured brethren—like the proverbial policeman—guide, counsellor and friend."
The rosy hues of this picture diminish into something much more anaemic, when the plans are examined more closely.
Over the last five years the French Army has dug 90,000 graves for its own men, not to speak of its losses in wounded. In Malaya the intensity of the struggle has not developed to the same extent but there, security forces of 100,000 men are hard put to it to maintain order and "good" government. Formosa and its waters are being protected and demilitarised by the forces of America, and Korea you know about already.
Major-General McClure of the American Army Air Force and a member of the Military Government of Korea for four years after
The Colombo Plan envisages the expenditure of £1,868,000,000 in South East Asia over the next six years. No one can seriously doubt that India, Pakistan, Ceylon, Malaya, Singapore, North Borneo need and deserve as much help as we can give them. But what of Burma, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia—are their needs any less?
The Report itself says: "It has described only economic problems of Commonwealth countries. It has not proved possible for these countries to discuss their economic problems, but it is hoped that this will be done later." It also has been said by another that Hell itself is paved with good intentions.
The plan then is totally unrealistic in attempting a solution for some and not all South Asian peoples.
Discounting this, the Plan superficially still seems a genuine attempt at ameliorating the harsh conditions which obtain at present.
Even little New Zealand will play its part. Mr. Doldge announces that on July 1 £1,000,000 will be paid for each of the next three years. The Government, reviewing the position at the end of that time. He proceeds further: The purpose of the plan is to raise the living standards of millions of people who are below sustenance level. "So long as these vast populations are forced, through lack of adequate development and facilities, to endure starvation, undernourishment, lack of shelter and intolerable living conditions, the rest of mankind has a duty to assist in ending this unhappy
Never has Mr. Doldge spoken a truer word. He cannot I suppose, imagine that these people became wretched last month or last year. There are quite clear facts shouting to the heavens why poverty abounds in Asia; and they merit the attention of the Minister of External Relations. This part of the world has been subject to imperialist exploitation for centuries now, and the discontent that exists there today is a direct result of it.
The Evening Post of March 3 has an extremely illuminating article garnered from the Manchester Guardian on the latest progress of the great Colombo design to aid Asia. Of the £1,868,000,000 estimate for the next six years, "something just over £1,000,000 will be provided from outside the area." For example, Britain is in debt to India to the tune of £250,000,000. The settlement of a debt of honour can hardly be called philanthropy. This is a disappointment but £1,000,000,000 still seems substantial relief. "It is understood that Britain will supply f300,000,000 of this." Here the Manchester Guardian displays shame and embarrassment in every line.
"Allowing for contributions from other Commonwealth countries and possibly loans from international institutions there remained a missing component of over £600,000,000. It was obvious to all concerned that the missing component could only be supplied by the U.S. Government One has only to compare this amount with the report that Congress is to be asked for a total allocation of 250,000,000 dollars. One gathers that the Indians who put their heart into this plan are now downcast. There has been a psychological shock. No doubt the American decision will have similar effects on others who took part in this stirring venture. It will cost the U.S. far more in the end to restore Asian confidence."
In a leading article the Manchester Guardian comments that "when the conference of officials met at Colombo and made an uninformative statement, it was thought at the time to be due to caution but now it seems to have been due to embarrassment. When the plan was debated last autumn the Americans gave the impression that they thought it was just what South Asia wanted. What caused this change of mind?" After asking this extremely significant question, the Guardian carefully avoids answering it. They continue by stating the new American view but cannot, or dare not, suggest why that policy was reversed. "Apparently the American view now is, that each individual country should prepare its individual plan and approach the United States separately for the dollar aid which it needs. The essence of the Colombo plan was that it was prepared by the Aslans themselves." The article proceeds with a grossly patronising remark: "This was good for the prestige of the countries or Asians themselves."
The Guardian explains the essence of the Colombo plan at least as it appears to it. "Working through the Colombo plan, they avoid the feeling that they were client states of the U.S.A. and overcome their fears that political strings would be attached to the loans? Who can seriously doubt that the original philanthropy which started the scheme has long ago been tossed overboard? If concrete proof needs to be adduced, what else but sordid political considerations have prevented the United States from sending grain to India? Those dying of starvation in Bihar province today might have lived if India had not dared to be a Daniel in the Security Council discussions on the question of China and Korea. Very apologetically the Guardian explains that the U.S.A has tried to sugar the pill by making it known that it will go ahead with its Point Four programme which can be "dovetailed' with the Colombo plan. It cannot be gainsaid that whatever pious intentions professed by Washington, as far as the Asian countries are concerned "the fears of political strings are well justified." The article in the Guardian ends on a very strange note indeed: "The effort will be less well planned if there are Commonwealth and American schemes running side by side. There will be overlaps and waste." The article ends with the remark "temptation to borrowers to play off lenders against one another will be inevitable."
One would be excused for thinking then that the rivalry of Imperial ambitions has not finished and they still exerted powerful. If subterranean, influences on present day events. The Colombo plan is a compound of a little philanthropy and a great deal of dirty politics. Certainly there is a great deal of hunger and poverty abroad in Asia but the final solution will depend not so much on the patronage of the "would-be-goodies" but rather on spontaneous people's movements themselves. We would do well to help these movements rather than try to attempt to lay down the particular line of progress for the Asians to follow that seems desirable to us.
Conductor Bowles had trouble during the Vera Bradford concert: a mediocre soloist, a moth on his head and a praying mantis up his trousers leg—this last extricated off stage had reached hie armpit
Rumour—reliable rumour has it that when Varsity Rep Jarden visited Tom Morrison's for his NZUSA Blazer measurements were also taken for the All Black Jacket A certainty it seems, if on form against the Aussies.
Recent
Most text books have long since stopped bothering with this almost forgotten heresy (catch is how to compensate present owners) and any who have heard of George are puzzled why he has been thus disinterred.
The Association's cat, Tilly, has been found a home. For the first time since she made her home with us, Tilly was missing on the day she was to go to the Biology Dept The staff member who was to have destroyed her wanted a cat at home, so Tilly was reprieved when she later appeared.
A couple of scientists were walking up to the Radar factory set up in wartime Wellington when one remarked "We're late, we'd better sneak up the back stairs where the boss won't catch us." "All right" said his companion, and they parted to their respective rooms.
The point of the story is that the second one was the boas, unrecognised, then still in his twenties. If you don't believe it Just ask Prof. Watson-Munro!
One bright remark at a rather dull undergrads' supper this year was Kevin O'Brien's: "Relations between the President and the principal officers of the Executive have continued to be on the moat cordial basis."
Normally Cappicades are given to such important people as policemen and traffic cops during Procession. This year one keen salesman invaded the police yard and Sold magazines by the dozen.
Those who know their co-operatives, and have listened to 2ZB's tape-recorded messages of goodwill over the last two or three Christmases will be interested in the following verse:
The poem—"Thoughts on a Winter's Morning," and the poet—Rewl Alley of Sandan fame. It appeared in the People's Voice,
During university term the Student Christian Movement have planned a series of monthly services to be held in the Little Theatre on the general theme of "The Christian Faith and Contemporary Culture."
The first of these was held on Sunday, 8th April. The preacher was the Rev. Allan Pyatt vicar of Brooklyn.
The next service in this series will be held on Sunday, 27th May, at 4 p.m., when the preacher will be the Rev. J. M. Bates, B.A.
Sir,—Your understanding (not that of article's author—Ed.) or the Martinsville 7 case is, as I understand it, substantially in accord with ours. The NAACP's attack in that case was directed against the discriminatory system of sentencing employed by Virginia and many other southern states. However, although the Association did not make an issue of the guilt or innocence of the men, it has not stated that it is satisfied that they were guilty.
The main point is that the issue which we brought to the courts was that of discriminatory sentencing. We are aware of the allegations that the men had confessed and that there were irregularities in the trial; that the jury was improperly selected and that the men were innocent; and that many petitions were received. However, to my knowledge, the NAACP did not concern itself with any of these aspects of the case. These were matters which were urged by the Civil Rights Congress, a left-wing organisation.
Your understanding that legal procedures were stopped for some time is correct, insofar as stays of execution were granted by various courts while the petitions prepared by NAACP lawyers were being considered by the courts. These petitions were based upon the discriminatory sentencing policy discussed above. Legal proceedings were not stopped by reason of any other petitions or because of any other allegations.
The NAACP is an organisation dedicated to equal justice under the law and it has fought 32 cases to the Supreme Court of the United States, winning 29. in addition to these cases, it has fought and won many hundreds of cases in other courts throughout the United States.
This Association is aware that Communists and their associates attempt to exploit the racial issue, not because they are interested in justice, but because they see in it a source of discontent and dissension. We expressly dissociate ourselves from them and their point of view.
U.N.O. had not failed. It was on a sounder basis than the League of Nations. There were conflicts between East and West, but some of these had been solved. U.N.O. was a vital factor in the peace of the world. Its contributions through UNESCO,.. UNICEF, and the rest of the "Alpha-betomania" were forming a basis for international peace. This was the theme of the Ex-High Commissioner and U.N.O. delegate, Mr. Thorn, in his address to the Political Science Society in March 29.
Mr. Thom said it was wrong to suggest that U.N.O. should confine its activities to only those scheres in which it had been successful. The various disputes it had attempted to deal with were threats to world peace. Disputes between nations only came before U.N.O. when ordinary diplomatic means had failed. U.N.O. must intervene when world peace was threatened—this was the basic reason for U.N.O.'s existence. It was preferable to sling abuse at a conference table, rather than atom bombs on a battle field.
A definite desire among delegates to reach an understanding and make U.N.O. work smoothly existed; but the bugbear of National Sovereignty was the underlying cause of the failure to find a solution in most cases.
Mr. Thom dealt at some length with UNESCO and its policy successes and failures. There had been serious differences between East and West, sometimes Mr. Thorn thought the Russian attitude wrong, sometimes he thought it correct The Russians had tried successfully to prevent UNESCO from becoming a "milch cow." At first this attitude had been opposed, but when both parties to the difference showed a spirit of compromise, a very successful solution was arrived at. It was realised that poverty and disease were a threat to world peace and this determined the attitude of both parties.
U.N.O. has become a living reality to millions of people. It is founded in a more democratic spirit than the League of Nations and is therefore not just a meeting of professional diplomats, but a meeting of men and women wanting to help solve world problems. In the social contacts and informal discussions, one found the true qualities of the delegates. In concluding Mr. Thom said he could see no solution in his time, but he had hopes for the future world. Peace and U.N.O. had given him these hopes.
The "Evening post" of February printed a small item, to this effect. "Racial feeling is running high in Virginia in connection with the execution in Richmond of seven Negroes for raping a White woman two years ago. Four of the men were electrocuted on Friday and the other three today. No white man has been executed for rape in Virginia since 1998, but in the same time 49 negroes have died in the electric chair for rape. The seven negroes did not claim that they were innocent. Their lawyer based all their appeal efforts on the racial discrimination angle. The two year court struggle to save the negroes continued until a few hours before their execution."
Six of the negroes were aged about twenty and the seventh was married, the father of five children. A "confession" was extorted from the accused by third degree methods and the case was heard by jury in which there was not one single Negro. The case which became known as the "Martinsville Seven" was publicised throughout the world by the World Federation of Democratic Youth and the American Civil Rights Committee, and so successful did the campaign become that they were reprieved in July of last year. In that month alone thirty-five thousand messages of protest were received by Governor John Battle. They were again sentenced to death and were to be executed on the 17th and 20th of November. Their appeal to the Supreme Court and the gigantic world youth protest again stayed their execution but finally the "great American way of life" prevailed and these young men were done to death.
In the last hundred years roughly five thousand Negroes have been lynched on the traditional excuse of rape but now it seems the bad old days are over. No more will the cruel crude method of soaking a "goon" in gasoline and making him a human torch be employed, its far tidier to roast him on an electric chair and besides electricity is cheaper than "gas."
Who does not remember the great Harry Truman spiel about civil liberties and how he would extend them particularly in respect to the underprivileged Negroes in the South? The Southern "Dixiecrats" were so annoyed about this that they seceded from the Democratic Party. Harry Truman won the Presidential election, but that was two years ago and I suppose that no one takes political speeches seriously, in America, any more than they do in Oo-te-aroa; anyway the important thing is that the seven are dead and rotting la their graves.
Last year, I went up to the little Theatre and saw the Drama Club put on a performance of the Sartre play "The Respectful Prostitute" which told very well how negroes are hunted down and killed by the mob for raping a white woman. I liked the play and its production very much and along with the rest of the audience and the cast experienced a moral indignation which was almost pleasurable. However I certainly did nothing to translate an inner emotion into positive action and I suppose that the rest of the audience and the cast did not do so either. I do not doubt that if those young Negroes were being executed in Wellington and not in Richmond, Virginia, every single member of the Students' Association, fresher and graduate, male and female would pull the walls of the goal down with their bare hands to prevent foul sanctimonious murder like this from being committed. You will say, I suppose, that certainly this is a terrible thing but the seven are dead and the Victoria Students' Association cannot resurrect them. That is only too true but what are we ding about Will Magee, a young Negroe of twenty four, framed on similar charges? What are we doing about the other twenty four year old, Paul Washington who is due shortly to be bundled out of this world by an electric chair, if American justice has Its way. Twenty eight others are also threatened. I suggest that our Student Executive investigate these matters and if they find that these arocities are to be precised in, then add our voice to the world protest. Let us join with the teaching staff of the college if they will, in doing something positive to ban judicial murder. We can surely raise the matter with our representative at U.N.O. We can support world bodies which are doing something.
We must act now.
The following is a culling through the news of Communists and sympathisers who have left the party or got themselves into disfavour in the past month or so.
Vladimir Clementis (former Foreign Minister of Czechoslovakia) and wife Ludmila, arrested for espionage and conspiracy against the Communist regime, together with 10 members of the Central Committee of the Czechoslovak Communist Party, and four Communist District secretaries.
Bohuslav Kratochil, Czech Ambassador in India, with wife and son sought political exile in England.
Josef Edouard Felix, acting Consul-General for Czechoslovakia in Australia, resigned position and sought political exile in Australia. His is the seventh resignation from the Czech consular service in Australia since
Vasslli Chapochnikoff, son of a former Red Marshal and director of the Soviet five-year re-armament plan gave information to allies in Berlin on Russian atomic progress.
Private John Keith Waller, British Army in Germany, deserted to Russian zone last May, returned with German wife this Blaster, to face sentence for desertion in preference to staying in Russian zone.
Robert Wood, Harvard law school graduate, once state secretary of Communist Party in Oklahoma, recently member of New York County Committee and "Dally Worker" writer. Expelled "for . . . panic in the face of the fire of the class enemy, for acts endangering the party . . . for acts of white Chauvinism, and conduct unbecoming his post."
Emil Horyna, Czech military attache in Istanbul, requested asylum in Turkey.
Horst Lommer, German author and Red propagandist who sought refuge in West sector of Berlin, "disappointed and ashamed."
Paul Cotton, Cappicade Editor, wishes to thank most sincerely those who sold Cappicade without the benefit of a Procession.
Today, with the departure of Opera. Co. to the Sunny South, but a possibility remaining of a return visit, I feel like a loot soul, recovering from a hangover and hoping that the next party will be better. A true Vanity student, I believe that it is impossible not to enjoy a good party; in the same way, I believe that it is impossible not to enjoy Gilbert and Sullivan, and my visits to the Opera House were not exceptions. J. C. Williamson and Co. Ltd. have certainly followed the old tradition of parties by having several good drinks and several bad ones.
"Oh, to be in England, now the Festival's there!" Even if I died of a surfeit of Oliviers, Moira Shearers and Kirstin Flagstad, my soul would be happy.
As regards the actors and singers: I thought that Mr. Ivan Menzies, with his senile cavortings, much resembled marmite—a little bit went a long way. The liberties that he took as Koko in the "Mikado" would, I believe, have disgraced a third-rate actor at his drunkest. At times, he was clever; at times, he was boring; but, and this is to his credit, at all times he was clear. In the "Gondoliers," he took the minor role of the Duke of Plaza Toro. Not to be outdone by the main players, he brought a Red Skelton air to his part, which, if played seriously as it should be, can be marvellous. It wasn't.
The next performer in the limelight is that brilliant singer of the Gay '90's, Miss Evelyn Gardiner. Now, in
Miss Helen Roberts was sweet, even if studied from the orchestra pit.
Richard Walker (bass), I liked—his acting before his singing. Leslie Rand (baritone), I thought acted quite well. His voice was powerful, but his enunciation, poor. John Fullard (tenor), possessed clarity, but no range.
My Oscar for the best performer goes to the too-little-seen Max Oldaker. He looked about the correct age for his parts, his singing was pleasant, and his acting, good. The best support, in my opinion, was Miss Marjorie Eyre. She was attractive (especially from the "Gods"), vivacious and also pleasantly-voiced.
Although the choruses (or chori) sang well, their actions however were often out-of-time and their eyes seemed to wander with their minds.
The orchestra was good. During the overtures, it almost, in the loud pieces, drowned the chatter of the audience.—J.H.
The Common Common Room, it has been remarked, bears far too clumsy a name. The "Vice common room" is suggested as a substitute. This alternative name springs, in my opinion, from the faint uneasiness which has surrounded the common common room from the beginning. Many years ago, it seems, there was an attempt made to do something about such a common room—an attempt quite distinct from all the copious debate and deliberation. It failed. Victoria was not yet ready. Are we? Whether we are or not (in any case, the question is rather meaningless), the project has not been helped to success by the conditions under which what we may call a new experiment has been tried. Is the Gym the proper place for a Common Common Room?
To begin with, the gym is an old building. It is unsympathetic; there is a definitely hostile atmosphere about the whole place. In the hours during which no mass meetings are wont to shake it to its foundations, the gym is worse than an empty theatre at midnight. Who is going to wander into an empty theatre to spend a few sociable moments with one or two fellow-creatures, cowering in one comer? I do not care for the idea, in any case. Not that my first experience of the common room was like this! no, the first time, an utter solitude, a silence broken by the occasional creak of a weary rafter enveloped me, and there I sat, waiting from 4.30 till 5.15, waiting and hoping for someone to come. But no one did, and I eventually staggered out into the wholesome daylight, looking like the man who insisted, in staying the night in room thirteen.
Three weeks later, I tried again. This time, there was someone there. He lay full length on one of the divans, from which a little piece of stuffing protuded coquettishly. He had removed his coat, and used it to cover his head. From beneath came faint snores, raising from the coat a little oasis of dust, golden in the ray of late afternoon sunshine slanting through the windows. Two or three blowflies disported themselves lazily round and round the region where his head might have been. After a while, a girl looked in. "Oh blast, he's still asleep!" She departed. He and I sat On. I departed.
All very innocent and peaceful, but in that particular atmosphere, there was something hideously suggestive of low, cynical squalor.
The third time I paid a visit to the C.C.R., it was with a group of people who, like myself, had arrived specially for a tutorial, only to find that our tutor had decided that he was to ill to turn up himself. We decided to hold a discussion group on our own, and adjourned to the C.C.R. There, we tutorialized feverishly for forty odd minutes. I, for one, have never felt so utterly futile. Have you ever tried arguing about the categorical imperative at one end of an empty theatre?
The Common Common Room, we are told, is a place where we can all get together and talk, as distinct from the cafeteria, where we all get together and yoffle. No longer, say its exponents, do we need to stand in a corridor and natter. True. But many people before us have stood and nattered in a corridor. There is an honourable precedent for it. But there is no precedent for a common room. Ours stands up on the hill in isolated, if gouty, splendour. We talk to our friends, male and female, in the corridors. One feels that a nice girl would never say to a boy, "Come up to the common common room and talk for a while." And surely, such a proposition on the male side ought to be accompanied by a faint leer, and a remark about etchings. Perhaps a few etchings would improve the place, anyway.
The whole trouble, of course, is that the gym is not the place for the C.C.R. No one denies that the C.C.R. Committee has done its best to give us some sort of common meeting place as quickly as possible. The gym, not being required for academical accommodation, so to speak, was the inevitable choice. But it seems a pity that so much good furniture should be dissipated. What is more, the idea of spending anything like £50 on floor coverings for the lower gym seems a little short-sighted. We hear of some dozen regular commoners. Whatever may be our dark and private speculations on the state of their morals, it's a safe assumption that they must be pretty cold at this time of the year.
Meanwhile, down in the building proper, the female of the species sits in haughty isolation and reasonable comfort, while the male cowers in his subterranean oubliette, contract-asthma from the damp, rheumatism from the concrete floor, and goodness knows what obscure disorders from seating accommodation reminiscent of a third-class Russian railway-carriage. We all know that a common common room is needed—of course it is. You can't talk peace fully in an "all cups outside" cafeteria atmosphere.
At the risk of being labelled reactionary, however, may one enquire whether it would not be possible to remove the common common room to another location within the main building? We have to get used to the idea of a common common room slowly; the processes not being facilitated by having a make-shift, uncomfortable half-hall scattered about with incongruous, if comfortable furniture, labelled "C.C.R.," and left otherwise empty, partly through shyness, but mainly through inconvenience. Meanwhile, the men's common room, at least, would look rather nice with one or two of those comfortable-looking divans, if not an armchair.
Few times in the history of aim-reviewing has a film been so flagrantly misrepresented as "State Secret" which was reviewed by 'Partisan' in the last edition of Salient. The review is deliberately and dangerously misleading.
I do not think "Partisan's" outpouring of misrepresentation, false arguments and unsustained arguments is worthy of the term "review." Perhaps if when reviewing a shan "Partisan" forgot politics and remembered constructive criticism, the result would be better.
No doubt the students of this college know that the Student's Association has an Executive. Hardly a day passes without Exec, being mentioned by at least a quarter of the students; but how many know that as members of the Association they are entitled to be present at Exec. meetings? There seems to be a general apathy towards Exec. doings except when they radically affect each individual student. I do not suggest that each student should attempt to take a personal interest in each item on the Exec. agenda, but I do think that as the agenda for each forthcoming, meeting may be seen on request at the Office it is not too much to expect some people to take an interest in such items as do affect them most.
An Exec. meeting was held on Anzac Day night Quite a significant meeting too, for our Editor was authorised to sign Salient cheques. It was remarkable in another way, in that the meeting started at 7 p.m. and ended at 12.45 a.m.—no wonder they call Wellington "Windy City." The audience comprised of two Junior members of Salient, the freshness of youth not yet changed to blase fatalism by the intrigues of varsity life.
During the discussion of the Physical Officer's report, it was suggested that the tennis courts should be converted into basketball courts for winter use. There does not seem to be any reason why this should not be done, and as was pointed out, this is already common practice with school clubs and with large ctiy clubs. Perhaps one tennis court will be left for those people who play tennis in the winter. A motion was passed agreeing with the principle of conversion.
Another question which arose out of the discussion was that of restricted use of the Gym. A motion was passed instructing all clubs that meetings must not be held in the Gym. except in special circumstances. One Exec. member suggested that smoking be prohibited in the Gym. because of the resulting mess on the floor after any large gathering. Mr O'Brien pointed out that the previous Principal (Sir Thomas Hunter) had thought that it could not be done, that the people would not stop smoking despite any number of rules. The use of tennis shoes in the Gym was mentioned but the question was postponed until the Gym. is being used by the Physical Welfare Officer. The times during which the Gym. can be used for table tennis will be very limited in the future. No more ping-pong in the morning!
The finance committee's report included many items of interest. £400 has been allowed for the next 'home' tournament which will be next year. £100 for each 'away' tournament has been allowed. The question arose as to whether or not a subsidy on travelling expenses will be re-introduced; although this was favourably discussed no decision was reached.
In some short time a Special General Meeting is to be held for the purpose of raising the Student's Association fee. During the last thirteen years the fee has risen only 17/6 and the Exec. finds it impossible to keep the Association out of the red unless some more revenue is forthcoming. Our fees compare extremely favourably with those overseas. In Australia the fees are over £4 and sporting club fees are paid on top of that. The sporting clubs are expected to rally round and vote for higher fees, for the more money the Association has, the larger the grants to clubs will be.
Thursday evening April 5 saw the Socialist Club grow into its 6th year of existence. It was the occasion of the 5th annual general meeting of the Club, at which 40 students were present under the chairmanship of Pip Piper—the speaker being Doug Foy, just recently back from 3 months in Australia.
The content of Doug's address centred on his experiences in Australia. He analysed the present political situation over there, particularly with reference to the coming election—the great possibility that Labour will be returned because the people in general weren't interested in suppressing Communism, but more interested in raising their own living standards—a thing that Menzies is not doing. He also outlined the origin of the Victorian Rail strike. A settlement of the dispute had taken place, but the Commissioner did not ratify it because the worker representative happened to be a Communist Towards the end he mentioned a problem in Australia, which is very seldom discussed—that of the Aborigines. Compared with the treatment of the Aborigines, our own treatment of the Maoris has been angelic. With the compounds at Alice Springs and Darwin, the policy of the Australian authorities has been one of extermination.
The next items of the agenda centred on discussion on the Club's immediate aims. The executive policy of a drive within the College to collect signatures for Peace Appeal to ban the Atom Bomb and all weapons of mass destruction, was endorsed. The new executive was requested to draw up a campaign in the 2nd term to protest against increased exam fees, and to bring down proposals for an increased bursary scheme.
The healthy state of the Club was shown in the way that the appointments for officers were made. The United Front character can be seen from the results and that practically every position was contested—there were 10 nominations for the four positions on the committee.
President:
Vice Presidents: Messrs. H. Barnes, James Bertram, J. W. Winchester M.A., A. H. Scotney M. A. Dtp. Ed., and John Platts-Mills.
Chairman:
L. B. Piper; Committee: Pam Cooper, D. MacDonald, M. A. Pagani, and H. Price; Secretary: H. C. MacNeill; Treasurer: Tilly Piper.
I feel I should comment briefly on "Despard's" report of the NZUSA Council meeting as published in your last issue. In my view, a number of matters were over stressed in such a manner as to omit reference to other important matters. I realise the difficulties under which your reporter was working. He was only present for 2.3 hours of a Conference that lasted for 3½ days and the minutes were not available at the time he wrote the report.
I still stand by what I wrote in the report even on the question of the policy of "Salient," which I explained to a "Salient" deputation that waited on the Exec. one night. This deputation had nothing to say after I had given my answer.
On the Sharma issue, the position was, I suggest, not unsatisfactory "as far as the student press was concerned." Council wont into committee at 12.45 and reconvened at 12.55 when it adjourned for lunch. At 2 p.m., Council, resumed in open meeting when Salient's reporter, if he had been there, would have heard a motion passed to the effect that the Resident Executive was to continue its enquiries into this affair and, further, that the Resident Exec. was to investigate the whole position of overseas students in New Zealand, with particular reference to the employment position. I might add that VUC fought hard for this motion and, together with representatives of other Colleges, spent much of the lunch hour framing it. Further Congress remits discussed included the resolution relating to displaced persons. A meeting is to be convened between ISS, NZSCM, UCSNZ, and NZUSA to discuss ways and means of helping these people. Congress publicity sub-committees are also to be set up in all Colleges and steps to this end have already been taken at VUC. CUC will run Congress this year.
A very full discussion was held on the vexed question of Travel and Exchange. Steps are being taken to improve the scheme this year although it is impossible to guarantee work at the Australian end just as it is now impossible to do the same here. Students going to Australia should, however, have little difficulty in getting employment and fuller information on employment prospects will be circulated later.
There was a proposal that the College levy to NZUSA should be increased from £2 per 50 students to £3 per 50 students. No positive action can be taken on this at the moment but VUC abstained from voting on this issue. However, it looks as if the rise is inevitable. Matters arising from College remits included a proposal, later adopted, to ask the College authorities to synchronise the dates of conclusion of the second term, and an investigation into the advisability of holding NZUSA Council meetings in August.
Arising from the Miller Report. Council adopted some of the recommendations suggested by him for continuing and increasing co-operation with organisations genuinely interested in advancing the welfare of all students. Further contact with doings overseas was had through a report from Tom Fitzgibbon (CUC) who represented NZUSA at the NUAUS Council meeting in Adelaide in January. Australian representatives George Pittendrigh and Ken Long were also present and contributed to the delegates' knowledge of overseas conditions. Steps were taken to strengthen ISS at all Colleges.
Very little reference to the possible continuance of Winter Tournament was made at this meeting as the investigation, initiated last August, is still continuing. The most important sporting matters related to the final ratification of the Blues Panel constitution with the consequent recognition of the Blues Panel as a permanent fixture. There was divided opinion on the question of Rugby Blues and the attitude of the NZU Rugby Football Council. The course finally adopted is one which would place Rugby Blues in much the same position as other Blues. Whether this will work remains to be seen. The Rugby Football Council was also recommended to relate eligibility for NZU Rugby teams as closely as possible to the eligibility rules applying in other sports in an effort to see that only bona fide students were selected. In future, Sports Councils are to get NZUSA approval of their budgets before Colleges will agree to give financial support to overseas tours. So that touring teams can be garbed more or leas uniformly, Council adopted a Resident Executive remit that a "representative blazer" be instituted. This will differ only slightly in form from the Blues blazer but in such a manner that the knowing eye will be able to tell the difference.
The Arts Festival, originally a VUC baby, is not to be proceeded with at the moment. The Rhodes Scholarship scheme also came up for discussion and Colleges are to investigate ways of improving the method of selection with a view to discussing the matter with the proper authorities.
These were among the more important matters discussed during the long session and I bring them to your attention because I feel that students should be told what is going on at the higher levels on student administration.—M. J. O'Brien, Vice-president V.U.C.S.A.
With a ban on Capping Procession following police clashes with strikers, Victoria was faced with the problem of disposing of six or seven thousand Cappicades usually sold during the Procession and afterwards on the last day of the First Term.
The police had no objection to individuals selling around Wellington, so selling began at the Railway Station well before 8 a.m. When the van shifted uptown at 9 a.m. around three thousand had been issued out.
Selling continued from NZUSA rooms as a base, and the work of fify students ceased around noon when the whole stock—6,800—had been cleared. By two o'clock the cash was counted and in the bank.
Champion seller was McArdle, 300 copies with £15/14/2 paid into the funds, but several other stalwarts also did nearly as well.
Besides sales in record time, the cash banked was very satisfactory, and final accounts should show a very different story from previous years when shortages had become past a joke.
Individual sellers appeared to enjoy themselves, aching arms and legs notwithstanding (not with standing but rushing up and down stairs). Each big office building was covered by sellers. There were some rebuffs, but mainly people were cooperative.
One woman snapped "Certainly not—pack of Communists!" while another client stood back hesitantly and then thawed with "Cappicade, certainly, I've bought one ever since my own time at Canterbury, but for a moment I thought you were a wharfle!"
Costumes were certainly varied—in one office of a high Government official the secretary had just said to herself, "Surely this peculiar looking man with whiskers isn't to see the boss" (or whatever she calls him) and there was another shilling in the bag.
For the Opera House there remained only the small programme of "Sidarella" which was printed separately. A word of explanation here might clear up any doubts about the omission of the Extrav programme from "Cappicade" this year.
The week-end the page proofs had to be finished coincided with a very poorly attended rehearsal, and it was touch and go whether the show would go on. The cast was nowhere near finality, and "Cappicade" staff had four pages of other copy with nowhere to put it. (With their newly acquired knowledge it was "Over-set"). With the concurrence of the President it was decided to leave out the programme section and to print it separately when we knew that "Sidarella" was to go on. The basis of the decision was that the four pages of other copy would otherwise be wasted, whereas the programme could always be printed and sold separately.
The people who will be responsible for the production of Cappicade next year can look forward to a big loss, for Wellington public is like the proverbial elephant. Indeed, none will ever forget this year's pathetic effort. The sales this year were exceptionally good. On reason for this is of course, that Procesh was banned, and Wellington as a whole was sympathetic; but there is a much more important cause. Cappicade has had a good reputation for some years now—and this has not been an accident, for the standard has been agreeably high, and yet suitably low. But this year's attempt will indubitably delete any previous ideas anyone ever had on the subject of Cappicade. An attempt was made to make the standard "higher" with the result that the finished product is almost uniformly sterile. There are some "toilet-paper" "jokes" of an incredibly infantile level; there is a sprinkling of good humour of absolutely universal appeal (suitable for kindergarten, but funny); if there had been more of them the finished appearance would have been much better.
Thanks to D. Paterson the cartoons were good; but there were not enough of them. Why leave it all to him? But once again, it must be remembered that most of the people who habitually buy this publication arc not doing so only for the good of VUC; it cannot be denied that the previous habit of including a large proportion of censorially dubious items was an important factor in the sales—resulting in the unmerited good response to this year's production.
But whatever the jokes—let them be Funny.
At a recent meeting of the Executive the following recommendations of the Blues Committee for Victoria College Blues wore confirmed and Blues were consequently awarded.
Defence Rifles:
A. T. S. Howarth: D. V. Henderson: B. J. Peny: I. M. Henderson: J. R. Fletcher: J. F. Hogg.
C. Cricket:
D. H. McLeod: P. M. McCaw.
Athletics:
Miss H. R. Burr: I. Lissienko: L Hyslop: M. R. Hanna.
Boxing:
R. Street: J. H. Donald: B. M. Brown.
Rowing:
I. Vodanovich: O. Weenink: D. B. Horsley.
Tennis:
B. M. O'Connor: C. W. Pritchard: Miss L. T. Holland: Miss A. Walker.
Victoria hit the all time low water mark in the track and field section of Tournament this year by winning only two titles and, of course, the Wooden Spoon. Helen Burr and Ikar Lissienko respectively won the women's high jump and the men's discus throw. Our other competitors who were placed in the finals were: D. Hawke, third in the hundred yards; Bunny Houis, third in one hundred and twenty yards hurdles; John McLevie, second in the four-forty yards hurdles; Malcolm Hanna, second in the four-forty yards; P. B. Keesing, second in the three miles; Iuen Hyslop, third in the javelin throw and hop, step and jump; G. Elepans, third in the discus. Barbara Hill came second in both the women's hundred and two-twenty yard sprints. Our relay team finished second in the 4 × 110 yards relay.
There were no unexpected performances—all performed as was expected, with the possible exception of I. Hyslop, who should have secured a higher placing than third in the hop, step and jump. A valuable club member, Malcolm Hanna shows promise of being a crack four-forty yards man in the future. There was nothing wrong with his second placing to Myles (A) but he will improve a great deal yet. He has the right build and runs in a very smooth and relaxed manner.
Helen Burr jumped with her usual consistency and cleared 4ft. 10in. Natural ability rather than technique carries her through. If she could learn to jump with the Eastern cut-off or the Western roll and discard the scissors style, heights of 5ft. 3in. or 5ft. 4in. would not be beyond her capabilities.
In the discus throw, the question was whether Lissienko would break the record of 130ft. His throw of 126ft.
John McLevie ran well to finish second in the long hurdles. This being only his second year in the event illustrates that he has plenty of time to improve—he has not reached his peak yet.
Barbara Hill and P. B. Keesing filled second places in their events and added to our meagre total of points. Barbara ran well but she seems to lack the snap she had a couple of seasons ago.
As for the Wooden Spoon—perhaps, as
Well, at least we try.
Once more the old niggle of who should be awarded Blues has arisen. Every year this question arises. In this issue there is an article relating to this question. We have had a permanent Blues Panel at Victoria for years now and there seems to have been constant dissatisfaction ever since it was set up. The time has come for an enquiry into the working of the Blues Panel. Very little is known about their methods of deciding to whom they shall award Blues. Many instances have arisen of people who were up to Blues standard yet for some reason or other did not receive Blues. This question of Blues concerns every member of the sporting fraternity at the College and therefore Salient would like to hear your views on our Blues Panel. All letters on this subject will be published so please write and let us know what you think of the Blues Panel and their awarding of Blues.
Members of the Blues Panel this year are M. J. O'brien (chairman), D. Tosman, M. O'Connor, V. Jones, D. Horsley, F. Curtin (secretary) and Mrs. Dalgleish. These people are doing excellent work for the College by being on the Blues Panel but could their methods of awarding Blues be improved?
Athletes and others have expressed their dissatisfaction with the awarding of the N.Z.U. Blues for the past two years—ever since the permanent Blues Panel was established.
In issue No. 4, Volume 13 of Salient (
Quite a few athletes reached a standard much above "good provincial performances." Two of them could have been included in the Empire Games team on the performances they established in the last two Tournaments had they been done at the Empire Games trials—yet they were not awarded Blues. One athlete, personally known to the writer, performed at the Tournament with a temperature of 102deg. due to 'flu. He managed to win convincingly, but the Blues Panel did not consider this a satisfactory performance. His effort, incidentally, was up to the best provincial standard. Ironically, some of the present members of the Blues Panel were awarded Blues for such mediocre performances as 109ft. in the discus or about 36ft. in the shot put.
This year the Tournament weather conditions were apparently not taken into account at all. Very heavy rain especially affected the track and fields athletics section—the track was dead for the runners and slippery for the field events men, yet very few Blues were awarded for athletics this year.
The Blues Panel has not announced what standard an athlete must reach to qualify for a Blue. As the Panel is a permanent body with each member serving for a term of not less than five years and with no standards defined and no higher body of appeal, the Panel has dictatorial powers. It would be interesting to know on what standards the awarding of Blues is assessed. Originally meant to be compared with good provincial performances the Blues Panel apparently bases efforts of University athletes on a world standard. This is ridiculous, as very few athletes in New Zealand achieve world class. Also there is no equality in the judging of different events.
The first necessary step for the Panel would be to announce standards in such measurable fields of sport as athletics, shooting and swimming, etc. It would then be possible for NZUSA to decide whether these standards are too high or too low. It would also make athletes aware of precisely what standards they must reach before they could expect to receive a Blue. Secondly the Blues Panel should have a few members who would be elected each year by the Tournament Committee. Then there should be a higher body of appeal such as NZUSA.
The Panel should remember that the withholding of Blues will not in itself raise the standard of sport in the Universities. Blues being almost "impossible" to attain would have the effect of making the athletes content with merely winning their events, but the setting up of a high standard would make the athlete strive to attain it. It would give him something to aim at.
The Blues Panel could award a Blue to itself for it has certainly made more than one.
Among the matters brought up at the Exec. meeting on Anzac Day night was the Physical Welfare Officer's report to the Student's Association. Mr Landreth, the recently appointed Physical Welfare Officer, was asked to attend the meeting to discuss his report with the Exec. This discussion, which took an hour, was followed, after Mr. Landreth had left, by further discussion among the Exec. about the question of accomodation for Mr Landreth in the Gym.
In his report Mr Landreth listed the activities which he hoped to encourage and direct. They came under the general headings of Health Services, and Recreational Activities. By Health Services Mr Landreth envisaged mass chest radiography and medical inspection, remedial physical education, and hygiene and health lectures or discussions. The Recreational Activities included general 'keep fit' classes for both men and women, folk and interpretative dancing, gymnastics, agilities, training for major sports clubs such as athletics and fencing, indoor basketball, and games periods. There are 400-500 students who are already organised in well established groups, but although these would profit by Mr Landreth's programme, he considered it most important to help those students who have no contact with their fellows because of their lack of physical prowess in particular sports. However the content of the programme of activities was not discussed, but the accomodation problem was talked over for quite a time.
The use of temporary pre-fabricated accommodation until a new building is built is out of the question. There are no Army huts available for purchase from the Army Department. The Upper Gym appears to be the only alternative accommodation, and even then extensive renovations would have to be carried out. For instance, the shower room requires attention and there is a distinct need for improved lighting. The trouble is that the Upper Gym. could not serve the purposes to which it is at present being put, together with the requirements of a Gymnasium. Such activities as dances, meetings, Extrav. rehearsals would have to be held elsewhere but where? Also a Physical Welfare Office would have to be somewhere in the Gym. The Exec has inspected the Gym. to see what office room could be provided and it was finally decided that the Committee Room would be used as an office subject to use of a partitioned-off wing of the Upper stage for the Extrav. wardrobe, and the partitioning-off of the Lower stage for storage of Ski Club gear.
It is evident that there are still accomodation problems. The Physical Welfare Officer is unwilling to limit his programme but unless a place can be provided for the storage of gymnasium gear some activities will be late in starting and very limited when they do start. The trouble here is that if the scheme is too limited from the beginning, future development will be retarded. Mr Landreth is of the opinion that there are enough people interested in his ideas for him to be kept busy and he is most anxious to start.
This year VUC has got away to a good start by winning their first two matches of the season. The VUC-Wellington match is liable to go down in Wellington sporting history as the game of
Published for the Victoria University Students' Association and printed by the Standard Press, 25a Marion St., Wellington.