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As you will probably know it is this next week, straight after study, week, that Dr. Howard Guinness, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., is to visit the university at the invitation of the Evangelical Union.
You might well ask, why have members of the EU gone to this trouble of inviting a man to speak on Christianity, spending their time and money in planning and staging meetings, when after all, most people are not interested anyway. Surely if they want to do something of good why not give their money and time to those who need it—the destitute and homeless.
We do realise that many students are not interested in the content of the christian faith. We do acknowledge our responsibility to alleviate the physical sufferings of fellow men and women, yet still we maintain that we have a greater responsibility to you our fellow students to present clearly the great truths contained in the christian message. This then is our purpose in inviting Dr. Guinness to the College—to give to every student the opportunity of hearing a reasonable setting forth of the christian gospel.
But then, you will ask, why so much fuss over these so called great truths of Christianity? After all, it's been recognised for many years now that Jonah didn't really swallow the whale, and as for suggesting the world was made over the weekend—well that's too fast altogether. Why then persist in this deluded belief that the christian faith can aid us in our search for scientific truth—to reveal both the secrets of the atom and the paradoxes of the Universe, in our desire for understanding of ourselves and fellow peoples? Why persist in the claim that folk-lore and mythology can give us the answers that we seek?
But no, pause for a moment—answer this question, what form of knowledge or truth are you seeking? Is it in the form of a mathematical solution to an equation which will unlock the physical mysteries of the Universe—or is it a philosophical notion or idea from which as base you may conquer all the intellectual difficulties of the world of thought? Or perhaps your goal is the finding of a counter to the ravages on mankind, or the finding of an escape from the seeming inevitability of war ?
These things contribute, you may say; yet the truth for which I seek cannot be explained in these alone. One cannot define it clearly, but I rather hope to realise it when achieved.
Here then is where Christianity makes its strongest claim. For 2000 years it has categorically stated that the Truth we seek is contained in the knowing of a person—Jesus Christ . . . God—yet became man. Crucified—yet living today. Truth which is not set apart from life or living but truth revealed in a person whom we as christians know to be the source of all life.
Certainly we who are EU members do not claim to have naively solved the many problems—intellectual, social and spiritual—of the world today. But we are sure that as Christians we have achieved through knowing Christ, an order and purpose in our lives as students. Humbly we make the claim to have the key which sets free from the bondage of spiritual frustration, and releases from the dismay of intellectual bafflement.
It is true that if you are genuine in your desire to gain knowledge and understanding, you cannot do less than give a fair-minded consideration to the message of the christian gospel—its claims are too great to be honestly Ignored.
We invite you to attend the lecture of Dr. Guinness, both to hear and discuss with him the evidence supporting the truths of Christianity. The many meetings arranged will give to you the opportunity to discuss and decide for yourself whether or not these things be true.
"
Telemachus said to his companion Mentor, before a talk with Nestor that he was 'so shy' and 'didn't know what to say.' Mentor replied, 'Do your best. You will think of some things for yourself, some things will be put into your head by a goddess,' When you go into your exam, room, don't worry—go in feeling happy, and Telemachus' experience will be yours."When
Sir John Sheppard, classical scholar, sometime Provost of King's College Cambridge, was speaking to a lunch-time gathering in room A1, The subject—Homer.
A report of what he said would not do justice to the
"The tone of the Odyssey is lighter, not comic . . . not 'Sing, Goddess' but Tell me, Muse,'—'Tell me Muse of that ingenious man who learnt the minds of men, while he in his own heart suffered many griefs, his companions died being fools.'—This is not tragedy.
The Iliad on the other hand tells of tragedy, of the tragic error of a young man and how by the mercy of Zeus and the influence of his friend and his mother he was brought back to sanity and healed."
Achilles—"that very gallant passionate young man, who very nearly threw away his honour, but saved it in the end to become a man again, who set his heart on glory and found instead something even greater—loyalty and friendship"; Hector—"in splendid contrast, the noblest soldier of all"; Athena—"Dear Athena—rather mischievous . . . ":—these characters for a short time lived again there, by the magic of Sir John Sheppard.
The previous executive working under Mr. B. V. Galvin, D.A., President, proved to be a decidedly domestic one. Policy of leadership in NZUSA and international student affairs, built up by Messrs. K. B. and M. J. O'Brien, was relegated perhaps too completely to second place. True, work around the College that required immediate attention was attended to or provided for—the common rooms are shortly to be refurnished, the executive room to be further repaired; financially, clubs have had very fair hearing on the whole from the Finance Committee and have had no cause for complaints. Let us look briefly at the personnel of the last executive:
While we are waiting for the executive to consider our suggestion of conversaziones, we present the idea of a Student Counselling Service. At the present time, members of the Professorial Board are grappling with the reasons for first-year student failures in examinations. The immediate cause is lack of application; this is self-evident. The underlying causes are more intricately bound up with secondary education, family life and society. If Professorial Board requested an opinion on the matter from the Students' Association, "Salient" believes that a very valuable report would be brought down by VUCSA. The first move must come from the Professorial Board.
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A student counselling service is envisaged by this paper as in effect similar to the American system. The U.S. Deans have too many individuals under their care to fulfil their functions as well as they might. The service here—which could only build up gradually—would be an extension of the work that Mr. Hogg, the Liaison Officer, is doing. Task of the service would include advising on extra-curricular activities, mental and physical health, academic work etc.
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An extension of Orientation Week—a most important period for freshmen students—similar to that organised by the CUCSA for the last two years could be put into operation in the meantime. At CUC, senior students were invited to act as "Counsellors" to one or two freshman-students during the first week. Counsellors invited freshmen to their homes, or to the homes of members of the academic staff. Informal discussions took place, with coffee and the trimmings, and freshmen were invited to return at a later date. Thus the activity or orientation week was not confined to seven days, but continued during the first two terms. Organisation of counsel groups was made shortly before finals and contact maintained by Orientation Controller during the vacation.
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"Salient" is willing to offer full details of the CUC scheme to executive members who are not acquainted with it. Requiring organisation to some degree, neverthless it is an activity paying tremendous dividends in terms of personal adjustment to university atmosphere, easy staff-student relations, increased sense of responsibility in the freshman. Over to you executive.
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Apropos the debate last Friday "That N.Z. has a colour bar", (carried) the reported statements by Rev. Manu Bennett on Saturday bear repeating. "The Maori belongs to a minority group, and hence his deviation from the behaviour pattern of the normal was more readily noticed and often regarded as spectacular. That was one reason why an intoxicated Maori always attracted more attention than an intoxicated pakeha.
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"Most difficult of all for him was that, as a member of a minority group, a Maori was seldom accepted as a member of the society at large . . . The Maori had to face the problem of adaptation and adjustment. . . . The war uprooted him from the protective warmth of his tribe and collective society and he was moved from seasonal work to essential industries . . . For many, their homes changed to a single room and they were cast adrift upon the highly turbulent waters of a highly technical society.
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"No self-respecting person would condone Maori drinking habits, but neither would any just man condemn, out of hand, a race because a minority were victims to the foul influences emanating from the worst aspects of the country's patterns of social behaviour . . ."
NZUSA, have appointed a subcommittee on International-affairs. The committee will be concerned with the establishment of organisations at College level to deal with problems of Asian students in the UNZ, and will also act as a point of contact with South-East Asian students at each college.
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have received samples of a student identity card prepared and published by the Secretariat in co-operation with other national unions. The original idea was put forward at a Cosec conference.
This card provides students in all parts of the world with a Standard, generally recognised document certifying him to be a bona fide student. This should make available to him, while travelling, whatever special facilities are available to students.
The card could, when used in conjunction with "Student Hostels and Restaurants" and the "Handbook on Student Travel", also published by Cosec, make possible very significant savings.
NZUSA is responsible for issuing the document, and they hope to have supplies in by February or March next year. Those students who intend to travel are invited to write to the Editor, "Salient" for a descriptive leaflet and further information.
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The NZUSA Resident Executive travel and exchange officer announces that Cooks have not yet chartered an aircraft. It was not possible to charter a DC6 and it is hoped that a DC4 may be obtained, at a slightly greater cost. "Salient" is willing to provide further information to those interested.
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the Resident Executive have appointed a sub-committee of Messrs. Fitzgibbon (president). Dalgety (vice-president) and K B. O'Brien (representing CAC) to investigate the effect on students of the new proposals for College autonomy.
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is Mr. R. I Gilberd, retiring Men's vice-president of VUCSA. He succeeds Mr. K. Phillips who has held the post for a number of years. NZUSA informed Mr. Phillips that "both in the past and in the future, in his absence, we will and have always regarded him as our bestest ex officio, in absentia Sports Officer."
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The NUSAS Executive (South Africa—Ed.) will recommend to the Student Assembly of the National Union that NUSAS should move, at its earliest opportunity, an amendment to the IUS constitution which would restrict delegate status at its meetings to representatives of national unions of students. Sectional or minority groups in countries where there is or is not a national union were felt by the NUSAS executive to be welcome at IUS meetings, but not in a capacity higher than that of observers or visitors.
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It was decided that the recommended NUSAS amendment would be subject to the exception that in countries where there is only one recognised institution of higher learning, the representative students' council of that institution should be regarded as a national union.
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The NUSAS executive also passed a resolution regretting that the IUS executive report to the Moscow council meeting had omitted to criticise conditions in any of the Communist countries. "The executive finds it difficult to believe that no problems exist at all in these countries which demand solution," the resolution stated. The IUS has been requested to ensure a fair presentation of all the facts in its executive reports and literature by giving the same prominence to problems in the Communist countries which it at present devotes to the "Western" and colonial countries. (NUSAS, Cape Town).
A prominent candidate for the elections said recently "I never fight men with my dress on." She intimated afterwards that she wore slacks. She also suggested that "women know more than men think they do about the next move."
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The Council of the National Union of Students of England (NUS) at a recent meeting at Loughborough decided to withdraw from the IUS as an Associate member. The resolution was put forward by delegations from a number of universities and training colleges, and was supported by the executive. On a card vote it was carried by 633 votes to 481.
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It was in
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there appears a notice from the Secretary of the Students' Association, calling for applications for the Editorship of Cappicade
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is to be published later this term: all those who can write are urged to do so. It is not a magazine solely for the intellectuals of the College and it will do you good to get that passion off your chest. Charles Doyle is Editor and contributions should be addressed to him, C/- "Salient".
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" Spike", "Salient" and "
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" Salient" extends felicitations to Mr. W. N. Sheat, LL.B., B.A. on the occasion of his engagement to Miss Genivieve Leicester. It seems that all of the old guard are breaking up. Mr. Sheat, a member of the Men's committee of the retiring executive, did not seek re-election as he is not a financial member of the Association.
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On a dare from a professor at the Oklahoma. A & M University, who insisted that unconventionality is dead, an experimenting student took a noon hour stroll on the crowded co-educational campus in his underwear. It is reported that the feat "hardly raised an eyebrow." (Observation Post, New York).
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At midday a few saturdays ago a small 20-year-old car drove down St. George's Street in Cape Town, and parked across the middle of the road outside the "Cape Times" offices. Its four student occupants climbed out, took off one of the wheels and deserted the car with a "Gone to Tea" sign on the front. Fifteen minutes later two traffic policemen arrived. While the Saturday traffic piled up on each side of the obstruction, they put the wheel back on the car, and got it out of the way. The incident was the students' answer to an editorial in the "Cape Times" that morning which said that students' had "gone to the dogs" because they got up to no pranks these days.
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The editorial was inspired by a report that 25 students had marched down the streets of Pearl, singing out the Vintage Festival. Why only 25? the editorial asked. While the diversion of the car was created, other students clambered up to the "Cape Times" balcony and S.A. Students, Cape Town).
Lest you should, in perusing this column, have gained the impressions that residents of Weir are of a breed that could out-Capone Al Capone, we hasten to assure you that within our seven walls (we've counted them) we nourish some of the finest intellects of VUC. Every Sunday we release them from the basement to parade before any outside visitors. ... To date these Sunday night activities have included a talk on "The Tradition of Anzac," by J. C. White (formerly Staff Officer to General Freyberg) two evenings of classical recordings and an impromptu speeches contest.
A large number of residents heard the extremely interesting address given by Mr. White, who traced the vtcissitudes of the N.Z. 2nd. Division through the campaigns in Crete and the Lybian Desert in the last World War. The account of the heroism displayed and the sacrifices made in those grim years made a deep impression on all his listeners.
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A small, but appreciative group gathered round the common room fire several Sunday evenings ago, heard John Marchant (last year's Pres.) give a fascinating talk on the Symphony, illustrating his remarks with LP recordings of ivories by Brahms and Beethoven. Mr. Powles, who recently gave us an evening of classical requests, aided and abetted—in between working out a crossword for his room mate . . .
Printable history being sacred and sorely lacking we have decided to do something about the notice boards which carry as pretty an undertone of wickedness, human interest and downright lack of intelligence as you every heard.
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Under wickedness falls a forthcoming dance, which every girl with any self-respect will recognise as A thin veil for nefarious and inexcusable things like dancing, coca-cola, "this lavatory reserved for the ladies", and even necking. There appears to be a wholly unfounded fear of entering the house after 11 p.m. or even being there. In the words of one of the more lecherous of us, who made brief appearances in the early stages of Extrav. "Wouldn't it be good to get all these drunk at a party and go round kissing thorn!"
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Another poster with a temporary look about it enumerates at length the advantages of being an usher at the Ice Frolics matinees which is a good one if ever we heard it. Who on earth would go to see all those legs . . . and ankles . . . and figure skating . . . girls . . . no?
Cash! it says—For S.F.A." Nuts to him. Every man for his own says we.
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The human Interest concerns a pile of cast-off clothes in the basement. We strolled down to have a look around. We found:—
6 Handkerchiefs7 Pyjama Coats1 Pair of Pyjama pants . . thereby; surely hang a number of tales. Why should housemen deem it important to hang on to their pants so tenaciously? Where are the mystery six pairs? What does a Weirman wear at night? God forbid.5 Shirts, mostly yellow7 Pairs of socks5 Unmatched socks, two in permutations of mauve and green1 Decapitated stocking (knee length)1 Pair of woollen scanties (gospel truth) Castoffs is tight. Anyone last a pair lately?2 Pairs of underpants2 Hutt supporters (Topical)And a whatnot.
One permanent notice concerns Telephone Duty. An alphabetical list is made out and each resident answers the 'phone for a night or so and locks the front door. The origin of this quaint old custom is not known, but it probably has some ritual value. The other two doors remain unlocked, and the House may be used as a right-of-way by early morning commuters for all we know.
Ever since the One Named Marchant used most of the front page to light into the management committee we were sort of left with the feeling that they'd be gunning for us. It seems that the City Electrician went the rounds with the Registrar and some auxiliary testing equipment. The first and the third now consider our approach to electricity unsporting, and the second is deeply shocked at the number of unmade beds. Either they wait till the part-timers get back from work, and the full-timers get out of bed, or they let us have wives.
Following up hard on the legal advantage possessed by a landlord/the committee then forbade us the use of kettles, toasters, three-ring stoves, clay ovens, welding units, radar and voltameters at the three-point plugs which we understood had been installed for a fair percentage of these amenities. They did not wish our rooms to look like kitchens and indicated our kitchenettes . . . three 6ft by 6ft gloryholes, each with its rusty, gusty gas ring and promised pair of three-point plugs. We got fragmentary nightmares seething with disjointed hordes of cocoa-crazed maniacs making supper thirty-strong, wallowing in all the vices of mass beverages-addiction. So while the more excitable among us combed the glebe for ploughshares to convert, Mr. Boon and his loyal sidekicks invited the committee up to get acquainted with our layout.
And do you know we think they liked it! What with some solid spadework by Mr. Boon and a determined Intercession. So we gather, by Mr. M. O'Brien, the committee made toasters and kettles permissible, but we seem to have last out on radar. This is the first time in years a request of ours has been given a favourable hearing by the committee. All reverence to them!
This year the Weir team has been exalted some three grades to the grandiose status of Junior Seconds—no mean feat for a team of only one winter. The year's activities began with a general meeting for the purpose of electing officers and all that. Held on extremely democratic lines, the meeting resulted in the selection of "Doc." Culliford and W. Tread-well as coaches and of W. Allen as captain. The team awaited with blind faith in fortune, its first game, which resulted in Weir's first blood of the season—a 14-3 win. The boys showed surprising co-ordination and fitness at that early stage and those qualities were again exhibited in various well-known establishments after the game.
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This year we have a nucleus of old stalwarts from last years team and some notable new members, including that dive-pass expert "Space" Saili, who has made a number of very nice runs from behind the scrum. Also among us is a man from the executive, one G. I. Rich, who although suspiciously near insubordination on some occasions has played good solid football. Our wingers, "Long" Waite and John Bathgate (you should see my dummy!) have been a little peeved at the lack of material to date—a matter which we hope will be remedied in the near future. So with four wins and two losses to our credit we look to the future with hope, chanting that well-known Latin maximum "oe guestibus non est disputandum" (Will you shut up in that scrum?)
The Agm of the Association, held in the Upper Gym, was attended by 80 individuals. Mr B. V. Galvin, B.A. retiring President, was in the chair, and the meeting lasted (still with a quorum) until 11.20 p.m.
The annual report was adopted, and there was some discussion about the suggestion for a new name for the College in view of the de-federalising of the University of New Zealand. Eventually the "Victoria University" was adopted by a majority of the meeting after an address by Mr. M. J. O'Brien, our College representative.
Mr. Shaw moved a voluminous motion which after expostulation was withdrawn and a brief summary moved in place. It was a recommendation to the new executive to consider the practicability of issuing fortnightly 8-page "Salients" next year. Mr. I. Rich moved, Mr. W. Sheat seconded, a motion that the annual extravaganza be not held in future years. Later he said that it was intended merely to provoke discussion on the subject.
A constitutional amendment was carried unanimously providing for an increase in men's basketball blues to eight in number.
At 11.15; Mr. Galvin looked around the shivering meeting, asked if there was any further general business. A hand showed at the back. "Mr. Shaw" said the Chairman, "Please make it brief."
Mr. Shaw rose and said. "I will move, that brass-bound spittoons and chewing tobacco-boxes be placed in the women's common room."
"Motion out of order as facetious" snapped the chair.
Thus closed the fifty-seventh annual general meeting.
Total cost of the eleven issues of "Salient" last year was in the vicinity of £420, reports the editor in the Annual report The block subsidy scheme is in operation again for the second year: the total loss sustained by the executive does not exceed £250. Contributed articles and letters to the editor reached an all-time low this year. A subscription-only distribution system was in operation during the first term, but cash sales have reluctantly been re-Introduced.
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Thanks for "their constant and efficient service throughout the year" are extended by the secretary in the annual report, to the permanent secretariat, Miss B. M. Haldane, and Mr. M. J. Mason, the accountant.
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Student services reviewed in the report including the boarding bureau, inaugurated by Mr. J. M. Whitta—"with the inclusion of information about the scheme in the next orientation handbook, the demands upon the bureau should be greater"; the stationery scheme, whereby students obtain 10 per cent discount on lecture books, etc., "has been continued"; the student employment scheme for the long vacations—"the scheme is of doubtful merit especially for men who make their own arrangements."
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Cappicade sales this year were 11,000. A total of 20,000 copies were printed. The collection of advertising was this year placed in the hands of Mr. G. I. Rich after the Association's experience in the last two years with professional collectors. It appears that Mr. Rich has done a good Job, and it appears that the collection of advertising may well be left in the hands of a student in future.
Prominent members of the staff were seen at the Socialist Club's buffet tea on Saturday, June 11, in the women's common room. This annual function, noted for the quality of refreshments, was attended by Professors
Toastmaster Ron Poison proposed the first toast, to the Queen. Mr. C V. Bollinger proposed the College and pointed out that intellectual freedom was a heritage of this College through the work of Professor Hunter and others. Mr. Braybrooke, replying, suggested that intellectual freedom did not mean the right to differ merely for the sake of differing, but the right to criticise things when they deserved reform.
Miss Shirley Smith, wife of Dr. Sutch and a law student at VUC. proposing the toast to peace, said that today, with the threat of total annihilation hanging over our heads with the bombs, it was better to have a dishonourable peace than an honourable war. Replying, Mr. Norm McKay, Buller minors' delegate to the recent Peking conference, pointed out that the people of China desired peace, and were determined to liberate Formosa in time. "The Chinese have a great dead of patience," he said.
The toast to socialism was proposed by Mr Bonk Scotney, first editor of "Salient" in 1937; Mr. J. Bertram in reply, mentioned that he considered that the late Sir Stafford Cripps was the one politician that he would have followed through thick and thin. Once in the Oxford Union Sir Stafford had been asked "And what led you to become a socialist?" He replied, "Would it be too much to say, my Intelligence?"
The unity of forces working for socialism was proposed by Mr Goddard.
Hec MacNeill, proposing the toast for the Club, mentioned that he looked forward to the time when the Socialist Club was again accepted as the champion of the exploited minorities, and Majorie Munro replying said that the Club was now better organised than it had ever been in the past, and was capable of great things.
The fathering dispersed at 7.15 p.m. after partaking of an excellent spread of victuals.
Summary of a lecture given to the VUC Philosophical Society in the Staff Common Room, June 8, 8 p.m., by Rev. Dr. Duggan, S.M., D.D.
Some modern philosophers contend that the existence of God is not properly a philosophical question. This is not the view of most of the great philosophers of history, nor is it shared by modern scholastics.
The Scholastics define philosophy as "the rational interpretation of the whole of reality in terms of its ultimate causes." Dr. Duggan explained the various elements in this definition and pointed out how, in such a conception of philosophy there must be a place for the question of God's existence.
He then went on to expound the implications of the thesis that God exists, and outlined the proofs from the contingency of the visible universe, the manifoldness of its being, and the fact that it exhibits a dynamic order.
He also drew attention to various characteristics of the Thomistic proofs, and remarked that they were not like theorems in geometry but rather resembled the solution of a murder mystery, in which the detective has to determine whether it is a case of accidental death or murder, then find the murderer and if possible the motive for the crime.
Finally, he pointed out that one's appreciation of the force of the arguments for theism is not solely a matter of intellectual acumen or dialectical skill, but because of the issues involved, calls for diligence, humility and courage la seeking an answer to the question: Does God exist? He concluded by reading G. K. Chesterton's poem "The Three' Wise Men."
The talk provoked a lively but good-tempered discussion, which continued, apart from a break for coffee, until 10.30 p.m.
St. Paul, writing to the people at Corinth, ascribed unbelief to the mental climate of the age, to the blanketing effects of its common modes of thought, and to a lethargy which refuses to break free. "The spirit of this world", he says, "has blinded their eyes . . ."
I want to examine briefly "the spirit of this world" in terms of our own society. Intellectually we live in a defeated age. Whatever the future will have to say about this generation, whatever tribute it will pay to its valour and endurance, it will not name it among man's groat epochs; it will never rank it with the age of Pericles, of Augustus, of Elizabeth, of Victoria, with those eras, in short, in which man has walked with confidence, shaping life according to his purpose, and sure of his future. There are "horrid faces in the gloom", and hopelessness has reared its ugly head. Why?
First because the fact of God's existence has been diligently eliminated from the thinking of the day. I commend to you the recent book of Professor Butterfield. "Christianity and History". There is no need for me to stress the authority of the professor of modern history in the University of Cambridge. And Professor Butterfield says quite simply: "It is not always realised that belief in God gives us greater elasticity of mind."
Duped by the pundits, young people sometimes imagine that faith in God commands a sacrifice of mental freedom, a circumscribing of the wits. Nothing of the sort. Life and the world are seen with greater clarity when faith in God sanctifies the mind.
It is those who refuse to make the great assumption who see facts awry. Leave out a basic fact and all manner of disaster is likely to overtake one's reasoning.
Read again Well's entertaining fantasy, The Kingdom of the Blind. The newcomer to the Andean valley was quite unable to talk to the blind inhabitants. His language, rich in the terminology of sight, meant nothing to them. They lacked a dimension of the mind.
The best minds, if firmly determined to follow an atheistic pattern of thought, can be similarly bemused.
The second basic fact which the common thinking of our age refuses to entertain is the Biblical view of human nature. Frustration in more than one sphere is inevitable when basically corrupt creatures are treated as fundamentally good. A recent book of essays of that great classicist, Cornford, contains a paper entitled "The Unwritten Philosophy". Cornford takes a somewhat pessimistic attitude towards philosophy in general, suggesting that most systems are finally based on what the philosopher desires to be true.
There is vast significance in the unrevealed premise. There is safety in remembering that fact when you hear more, than one persuasive voice. Behind much of the philosophy of our day lies a vast human desire to be independent of a creator, and to exalt a creature who has little to commend him.
Much of our confusion in our thinking springs from the desire to find an early explanation of the universe which does not demand too much discipline of life and which leaves the conscience unchallenged. This desire, and its products in damaging and vitiated thought, can be traced back to Voltaire—back indeed to the Sophists, for Aristophanes wrote his entertaining comedy The Clouds to satirise this very phenomenon.
Philosophy has its social reflection. Surely, as Wells was constrained to admit, man is "at the end of his tether," Hither has his thinking led him.
Perhaps a return to the point where he abandoned God as an element in his thinking, and on exploration of the road which takes God and His Word into solid account, might remove the confusion from life and thought. Thoreau remarked long ago that men generally are living "lives of quiet desperation". The word is truer every day. The alcholism of the day, its escapist literature, its hectic tone, are symptoms of minds adrift, betrayed by the leaders of thought.
Wells, Shaw and Russell and a dozen others have done their work well.
Their eloquent expression of the spirit of the age has blinded the minds of those who do not believe and prevented the light of the glorious gospel of Christ from shining to them. Who can teach Latin to those who resolutely refuse to believe that inflections can produce a pattern of sense? Who can teach arithemetic to those determined to reject their multiplication tables ? Who can bring to repentance those firmly fixed in mind against the existence of Cod and the fact of human sin? Emotionally the age is in petulant rebellion, which manifests itself in a dozen ways.
Consider the revolt against rhythm in poetry and music. Rhythm is biologically based and is part of the divine scheme of things. In art the some spirit produces distortion of basic realities and corruptions of nature. In his novel "That Hideous Strength", C. S. Lewis shows the diabolists who seek to rule England at work on a human soul. Part of the corrupting process is the destruction in the mind of all that is straight, orderly and disciplined; meditation in a room which, in a dozen clever and subtle ways, violates human order is a feature of the training.
The meaningless drivel which often passes for poetry today shows the ultimate stage in this process of corruption. Break down the vision of the straight and true In form, and the straight and true in thought will follow.
As an example chosen at random, read Rimband's Hunters of Lice. Such shocking nonsense is the product of a mind no longer able to conceive the beautiful and which has last the vision of the clean and straight.
It is the same with music. Those who have gone on long enough listening to modern five prefer it, because there is a subtle unhealthiness and immorality at the heart of it, the end result of a rebellion against order and its fundamental truth.
No scientist could proceed far with his investigations without a belief that order is basic in the scheme of things. Order is of God. The emotional revolt against order is in essence a revolt against Cod. It springs from that hatred of all discipline which is the last corruption of human nature. As it is impossible to bring to faith those who refuse to entertain the possibility of a God, so it is impossible to make Christians out of the petulantly self-assertive and the emotionally rebellious.
Intellectually and emotionally the Christian only can be mature, He only has accepted the premises necessary for clear thought and mental and moral discipline.
For the Christian in this bewildered age there is a stability of mind and a clarity of vision all others lack.
This article is re-printed from a paper produced for the .
Dr Howard Guinness, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P. who at the invitation of the Evangelical Union is coming to address the College, is widely experienced in student gatherings throughout the world.
In
Just prior to the war, Dr. Guinness was ordained in the Anglican Ministry and from
Dr. Guinness frequently broadcasts and is the author of several books. The best known of these are "The Sanity of Faith" and "Sacrifice" which was originally written for Christian students. This has been reprinted many times, and over a quarter of a million copies have been sold.
No matter what man wishes to discover, he must first hold some fundamental beliefs which he accepts as reliable, and upon which he may base his research. Until a man believes certain fundamentals he can advance little further.
The Christian faith docs present intellectual difficulties to some thinking men, for which reason they will not accept its demands. True it is, that man should not act upon something which he believes is untenable. Nor is it to be wondered at that many thinking people consider parts of the Christian faith irrational, simply because their process of rational consideration is based on wrong premises.
For instance, the miracles of Christ in the light of physical laws appear to be a practical impossibility at first sight; or the account of the Resurrection if compared with all other historical records could be protested against as being a theory.
According to ordinary reasoning, these do appear incongruous, but once we accept certain other basic facts Christ's miracles and His Resurrection are Just what we would expect in fact! Christ claimed to be the Son of God, and once we accept this and the fact becomes a premise in our thinking, intellectual barriers are broken down, and difficulties are resolved.
The, Christian faith makes certain assertions about the nature of man and the grace of God in Jesus Christ to redeem, and reinstate man to his true purpose. Reason can voice itself against these basic claims, but once they are accepted the logic of Christian faith begins to take shape. It is little wonder that many people find Christianity incomprehensible, nor that many choose to find it so because of the consequences once they dare to believe it.
The Bible says that if a person is to know abundant and eternal life, he must acknowledge his failure and sin, and in so doing he will discover the love of God in forgiveness, peace and revitalising power.
Well, are these Bible statements about man's need really preposterous? Surely it is the honest person, the genuine thinker who will realise that they are not, and in his honesty will be able to receive forgiveness and peace from God, and the resolution of his intellectual doubts.
Professor Hallesby, a one-time sceptic in his book "Why I am a Christian" discuss many problems confronting those who doubt and genuinely desire to know the fullness of Christian living.
This will be among the wide selection of books available at the EU bokstall during the visit of Dr. Guinness.
From the films produced by the Moody Institute of Science in Los Angeles, "Dust or Destiny" will be screened on Thursday July 14 at 12.45 p.m. in B2. This film gives a dramatic presentation of the miracles of nature.
It reveals wonders of the human heart and eye, an well as the ear which hears a cannon-blast and a cat's footfall with equal ease.
In the animal realm, the film shows the remarkable homing pigeon and the flight of the bat, guided by its own radar.
The incredible spawning habits of the grunion, which lays its eggs on dry ground, are featured.
Every science student should make it a must to see this film. On Saturday 16th another film will be shown. (Running time: 48 minutes.)
Professor Grensted, Oriel College, Oxford, says:—"These films were a real achievement of accurate scientific photography, and, as I am in a position to know, one of great interest as records of some of the most recent discoveries of modern science, quite apart from their religious challenge . . .
"No scientist could ask for better evidence of the facts they portray."
In Room B2 12.45-1.30
Monday July 11: "Where Science and Faith Meet."
Tuesday July 12: "The Fight for Character."
Wednesday July 13: "Truth on the Scaffold."
Thursday July 14: Colour film "Dust or Destiny" produced by Moody Institute of Science.
Friday July 15: "The Challenge of the Living Christ."
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Hangover: Something to occupy a head that was not used the night before.
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Too many of us have been inoculated with small doses of Christianity which keep us from catching the real thing.
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He who is not for us, is a Guinness.
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An atheist is one who has no invisible means of support.
Monday July 11: "Christian Sex Morality is Psychologically Sound, and Medically Up to Date," in B2.
Chairman: Professor C E. Bailey.
Tuesday July 12: "Why I am a Christian" in B2.
Chairman: Mr. D. Patterson.
Wednesday July 13: "Five Good Reason for Believing that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" in C3.
Chairman: Mr. Summers.
Thursday July 14: "The Three Essential Steps to Becoming a Christian." in C3.
Chairman: Mr. A. B. Cochran.
Friday July 15: "A Faith That Works." in C3.
Chairman: Mr. E. K. Braybrooke.
Saturday July 16: "Fact and Faith" film; Brain's Trust; tea. At St. John's Hall at 4.30 p.m.
"The Psychology of Indecision" in St. John's Hall.
Sunday July 17: Student service at St. Paul's. 7 p.m.
All Addresses at 7.50 p.m.
Bill was a popular student and knew it. Witty, intelligent, likeable and thoroughly natural, he was the centre of attention wherever he went.
We met because he knew that I held a medical degree as well as being a parson, and he needed help from someone who understood ordinary life in a way he reckoned the parsons didn't.
"I'm a Rationalist," he volunteered, "and have no God but the God of Nature. But I'm in a mess morally, and my God can't help me. Can you possibly help me to find one who can?"
"I'll do my best," I agreed, "but I make no promises! What about meeting me each day in the lunch hour for half an hour, so that we can take our time and discuss the question thoroughly?"
We did so. Our plan was to study what the New Testament had to say, discuss its message in the light of the rationalist claims, and pray together.
"Pray together!" Bill expostulated, "I can't pray; besides I don't believe in a personal God to pray to. You must do the praying, Padre."
"Not a bit," I argued. "You must pray for yourself. If there's a God, it's you He wants to hear talk to Him at this moment, not me!"
"But I've never prayed before. I wouldn't know what to say. I can't possibly do it."
"I,ve never known you last for words before, Bill!" I countered. "Just tell God how you feel and what you want in your ordinary everyday language. He'll hear. I can't do either your thinking or your praying for you, but I can stand by and help you do them both."
"I'll try."
His first prayer I shall never forget.
"O God, please help Padre to help me. Amen." And so he made his beginning—the beginning that was to end so wonderfully.
We first of all tackled the question of a personal God, and agreed eventually that to believe in an impersonal one was to have a God who was of less importance than ourselves. Personality is the most significant thing we are aware of, so that to make God impersonal is to debunk him altogether. If God Is He must be Personal.
Then came the question of whether this personal God cared about us, and if so whether He had revealed Himself to us in the Carpenter of Nazareth, Jesus Christ. Was God like Jesus? Bill held strongly that Jesus Christ was only a man; a most unusual man admittedly, but nevertheless a man and nothing more. So we studied the Jesus of History to see how He fitted in with Bill's hypothesis, and found it very difficult to squeeze Him into it. He seemed to burst out of it everywhere as though it were a ready-made suit several sizes too small.
Bill agreed with me that there were only three logical alternatives. Jesus Christ was either God, bad or mad. God—the One He claimed to be—(this claim was the immediate cause of His execution. Sec Mark 14: 61-64): Bad—an imposter who, for reasons best known to Himself, claimed deity and got killed for it: Mad—a well-meaning fellow who unfortunately was deluded about His identity; very seriously deluded. Today He would be placed in a mental home.
None of them would Bill accept at first. Surely you could believe in Him simply as Good. I remember one of his prayers at that time: "O God, you know I don't believe in this Jesus of Padre's, but if He is the only One who can help me, please show me. Amen."
I gave him "Who Moved the Stone?" to read—that famous account of an agnostic lawyer who set out to disprove the resurrection of Christ, and, after studying the evidence, ended by being convinced of its truth, and writing in its favour. If Christ rose from the dead (as He prophesied He would) He was clearly not mortal. True man He was, but not mortal man. He was the God-Man: God come down to earth to reveal Himself to human sinners, and through His sacrifice to repeal the law of sin and death.
"I had no Idea," Bill ventured one day, "that the Christian arguments were so strong. I imagined that the Rationalists had it all their own way and that Christians were simply traditionalists who accepted myth and legend as though they were proved facts. Now I see that there are facts on the side of Christianity as well."
But he was far from accepting the Christian Faith in toto. He was only accepting the truths of the New Testament that he could see an immediate reason for. Ten days had gone by, and now we faced the death of Christ. Was this a martyrdom or a sacrifice for sin? That was our next milestone. Bill was clear that it was a
The more we studied the record in the Gospels, however, the more we felt that the martyr theory was incapable of explaining all the facts of the story, Jesus failed to reach the standard of a good martyr, for instance, for on the Cross his faith failed, and ho cried out that God had forsaken him. Stephen was an improvement on that: he died radiant. And so with many of the subsequent martyrs. Why this collapse of Jesus faith? It was at such variance with his serene trust in God shown throughout his life.
If He were bearing men's sins, however, then the story held together. The world's sin had shut out the Father's face as a storm-cloud will the midday sun. The fact that sin separates now had its supreme illustration.
And as for the justice of the innocent suffering for the guilty—it was beside the point. Could you say to Love Incarnate suffering for the one loved: "This is not Just?" For it was not God the Judge punishing Jesus the Saviour for mo the sinner. It was "God in Christ reconciling the world to Himself." (2 Cor. 5:10).
Bill saw it. The logic of the situation compelled him to affirm with St. Paul: "He loved me, He gave Himself for me." Here was the answer to his sin; here the way to forgiveness and cleansing.
"Well, Padre. I now believe in Christianity. How do I become a Christian?" He was astute enough to see that an intellectual grasp of Christian truth was not enough. "The Devils believe—and tremble." wrote St. James. Bill believed, and was very ill at ease.
"You must give yourself to the Christ you now believe in," I replied; "every cell of your body, every fibre of your being—past, present, future; good, bad, indifferent: everything."
There was silence between us for a minute.
"It's too big." He looked me straight in the eyes. "I cant do it."
I didn't see him again for a fortnight except in the distance. He avoided me, and I contented myself with praying in faith that the Good Shepherd would find the last sheep in His own good time.
He did. Bill burst into my study one morning.
"Padre, why was the Chapel locked last night? I wanted to put an end to this frightful struggle I've been having with God, but couldn't get in. In the end I had to go back to my study, and kneel down there to accept Christ. Was that the right thing to do?"
As we chatted together it became quite obvious to me that he had made the real start in the Christian life. His new-found faith made him radiant. There was no possibility of missing the fact that Bill was a transformed person. Soon everyone knew and everyone remarked upon it.
His new faith had brought him intellectual conviction of the Truth, a thorough clean-up of moral failure, the certainty of forgiveness, and a God who was both Friend and Counsellor.
In a small corner of the Roman Empire a child was born of humble parents, who grew up in near poverty. In early manhood. He was a carpenter, and then—for only three years—went about preaching a message in His own country. His sole wordly possessions were his clothes; He left nothing in writing; and He suffered finally a humiliating death at thirty-three years, on a vague charge of treason.
Yet more books have been written about Him than about any other person, and countless millions from every land have followed, ready to lay down their lives in martyrdom. He has had a transforming Impact on every phase of civilisation and human enterprise.
What is it then, about this person Jesus, and what He said, that He had so dynamic an impact? It can hardly be a call to live a better life, as so many people assert, nor even that He has given mankind the highest ethical system ever known. It goes far deeper to the mystery of His person. Here was not one who Just went about preaching the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of all men and who was in all other aspects an ordinary person. Here was one who was considered too dynamic to be safe: although His shattering personality has since been heavily watered down in popular misconception. Largely last too, is the fire that so possessed the early church, that against terrible persecution frequently leading to martyrdom, it" was able to establish the new way of life far and wide.
Here was one who spoke as "never man spoke before"', and who lived as never man lived before. Here was one who manifestly lived on a higher plane of existence, as shown outwardly in His amazing control over nature, and morally perfect life.
He said He had come as mankind's representative to free man from the terrible disease of sin. The prime cause of all man's troubles—and this was only to come by trusting in His powers and work of redemption; He also said He would be coming again as the judge and ruler of all mankind! But couldn't He have been a deluded fanatic or blasphemer? Both are unthinkable in view of His life which even His bitterest enemies had to declare faultless. The charge of delusion Is further weakened by the fact of His triumphs at every turn in battles over the Jewish law and his complete command of every situation Including trial and execution. But His resurrection was the great proof of His claims—and this is one of the best attested facts of history.
Furthermore, the whole life and purpose in coming of this person, has been foretold centuries before, in prophecies which go into detail about His birth, preaching, trial, crucifixion and resurrection—all of them exactly fulfilled.
All these things had led the disciples to the inexorab conclusion that He was God revealed in human form as Ho claimed, and one can only conclude with Pilate's momentous question—"What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?"
Auckland—At an extraordinary general meeting held in the Auckland University College Hall on Wednesday, June 15, a widely attended meeting of the student body expressed confidence by a large majority in its president, Mr M. F. P. Frankovich.
The meeting considered Mr Frankovich's actions in connection with the removal of certain portions of Capping Book. The executive of the student body had previously passed a motion of no confidence in the president on the grounds that he had acted unconstitutionally.
In addition the executive had reaffirmed its previous decision to print the portions of Capping Book in question, despite legal opinions expressed to the contrary.
At Wednesday's meeting Mr Frankovich resumed the chair shortly after midnight, amid applause.
Some members of the executive have since tendered their resignations, which will be considered at the next executive meeting.
Time: Friday, July 1; Saturdays July 2, 8 p.m.
Place: Little Theatre.
The Drama Club, in conjunction with the Classical Association, are presenting an acted muling of the Hippolytus of Euripides.
The producer, Mr. Peter Dronke. told "Salient": "I think that among the Greek tragedies "Hippolytus" is one of those with the greatest human and dramatic interest today. Fortunately the translation we are using brings this out: it is vigorous and modern, free from 19th century idiom. We have also been fortunate in having Mr. David Farquhar, of the Music Department, to write us music bailed on extant Greek tunes, and Mrs. Kalfas, of the Classics Department, helping us towards authentic Greek costumes."
The cast includes: Tim Eliot (Hippolytus), Elizabeth Gordon (Phaedra), Duicie Gillesple-Needham (the Nurse), and Bruce Hillyard (Theseus).
Dear "Salient,"—Why don't you behave yourself and stop making your old" uncle keep taking you to task. Last time it was for inaccuracy—a serious fault in a student newspaper, though it was in my favour rather than otherwise. This time it is for plain bad manners, and not at all in my favour.
As a footnote to an article by C.B. (whose identity I hereby reveal as being identical with my own) in your issue of May 5, you state: "The correspondence will close next issue with Mr. O'Brien's reply." Now, though Mr. O'Brien's reply did not eventuate in the next issue as prophesied. It was apparently your intention to publish it, and to put full-stop to the controversy on IUS. Let me remind you that it is the time-honoured practice of all journals of standing, and of "Salient" in particular, to allow the person who made the first contribution on a subject to have the last word. In this case, that was C.B. Moreover C.B.'s first article was written and sent Co you not at his own instigation, but at yours.
There are a couple of other points in your footnote which call for comment.
You state that "This verbal debate appears to concern only Messrs. O'Brien and 'CB." I don't know what sort of debates one CAN have other than verbal ones—unless the sort with gestures only, described by Rabelais—but any way, a considerable number of persons about the college have deduced by some lngenious process that I must be "C.B.", and have started oral continuations with me of the debate that appeared in "Salient."
Your cheap sneer about Congress motions having no significance to the people who pass them merely assures me that you have never been near Curious Cove.
Dear Sir.—I do not suggest that I have the last word in the controversy between "C.B." and myself, as I did not start the controversy. His letter in your May 5 issue adds little that is new. Let me just comment on some of his facts:
In conclusion, I did not speak to the motion at Curious Cove, having departed at least four days earlier. This was no doubt convenient for some people who, I am told, misquoted me to support their arguments in support of the motion. As a matter of interest, the British National Union has now withdrawn from its short-lived experiment of associate membership in IUS.
Dear Sir,—Thank you for giving me the right to reply to Mr. O'Brien—though I must confess I had taken that right for granted. Some comments on Mr. O'Brien's comments on my facts:
(We cringe beneath your avuncular whip, "C.B."
The "bad manners" are in your favour.It was intended that you should reply to Mr. O'Brien's final article.It is correct that "Salient" asked for the original IUS article.Oral continuations of the debate, between readers and yourself, do not concern "Salient." The statement was made referring to further contributions to the discussion through our columns, by correspondents other than yourself or Mr. O'Brien.The editorial remark about Congress motions has not been disproved.
The correspondence is now closed.—Ed.)
Dear Sir.—Have you ever noticed the pack of "morons" who trudge up to that menagerie "on the hill" every day. These "morons" are supposed to represent men and women who will be in responsible professions in the near future (?): but the more I see of the cliquey nature of the outfit and the actions of some of these types in public, the more ashamed I am of being a member of VUC. Sure you say that throughout the world students are known for their antics but here they are so "corny."
And now to the elections at present taking place—you will note that at the last elections 33 per cent of Student Association members voted, and I'm surprised that that many troubled to vote, and I will lay big odds that 80 per cent of the 33 per cent didn't know much about the "drongoes" (with apologies to exec.) they were voting for and these elections will be the same.
Most will endeavour to make their choice of exec. from the paragraphs in "Salient" or the photographs on the notice-board which appeared on June 16. but I had a fair indication of the men standing to enable myself to vote but not knowing anything about the ladies I could not honestly and did not therefore make a vote for women members of exec.
Surely there could be a meeting at which all the candidates for exec, could be given three minutes to talk or some other arrangement arranged where a person could gauge the candidate's worth much better.
Enough of elections and now Mr-Editor to that "dry bull" publication "The People's Vice" otherwise known as "Salient"; it is not worth the paper it is written on—who wants to know about NZUSA delegates to Cosec or their worthiness of participation in Cosec which took up a total of one page in the last issue of "Salient" or the debate on "State subsidies to schools" which could have been reported in one small paragraph.
Surely there is something else of general interest to students which could fill up the paper but I suppose one cannot expect anything else considering my opening remarks.—
P.S.—I hope that this letter will appear in an unabridged form. Thanking you.
(Normally such an ungrammatical conglomeration of verbal cast-offs would not be published.
Sir.—For a considerable time I have had in my possession a flat black object, spherical in shape.
Along the surfaces of this thing I notice there runs a narrow grooved line.
Is this a record?
Voracious speaking and vigorous, well-expressed arguments were heard at the VUC's Little Theatre on Friday, 10th, when the Debating Society battled the topic "That This House Approves U.S. Policy on Formosa!"
The Negative speakers tried to deal with America's policy, as best they could ("after all," one speaker pointed out, "It changes every time Mr. Dulles gives a press conference.") Many speakers affirming the motion made too much use of the emotional-overtones "free world, democracy, liberty . . ." Perhaps that's why the motion was last (11 for. 19 against).
O'Connor (Aff.) began. Formosa was important strategically, our former ally, the "last bastion of liberty in Asia", because of previous events. America was sitting tight, prepared to negotiate and anxious to preserve the' peace of the area. ("Yea", interjected Bollinger, "the biggest piece she can get.") Straightforward and lucid. Brown (Neg.) said it was not a question of the merit of China's red Government. Our alternative to co-existence was nonexistence to which even President Eisenhower ("in his more lucid moments") had concurred. American prestige was not our concern.
Shaw (Aff.) chose to regard Chiang's as the true Government of China. The Communists wanted not peace, but Formosa at any cost. Then Thomas (Neg.) said that if O'Connor, who is on the staff of the "Evening Post", thought as he argued, "he is assured of the Job of Editor of that paper." America's actions "stunk" of aggression prompted by the "war with China now" group. Larsen (Aff.) said he preferred the clear line drawing (step over and I'll punch your nose) of the U.S. to the non alliance policy of Nehru.
Ever since he had shaken hands with Mr. Dulles, said Bollinger, (Neg.) he had thought the worse of his right hand. "But what about your left hand?" someone interjected.
Whitta (Aff.) urged the house not to appease as we had in Curtin (Aff.) wanted to consider the Formosan people, arguing forcefully for free elections there. Riddet (Neg.) advocated Colombo power guidance to a plebiscite in Formosa.
De Cleeno (Aff.) could not give a damn if the three million Formosans all fried in hell ("you will").
Poison (Neg.) considered American policy historically. Steiner (Neg.) asked "Why should we support this scoundrel Chiang?" South (Neg.) advocated Christian doctrine. Elwood (Aff.) brooded over a cup of tea with a merchant.
A most convincing argument as to the undesirability of the Anglo-U.K. rift was stated by Cruden (Neg.). Doogue (Neg.) deplored American support for "boosted-up minorities".
The Judge. Mr. Meggatt of the "22" Club, gave first five placings to Thomas, Cruden, Brown, O'Connor and Curtin.
"Mr. Schroder began another year as Billiards Custodian with an immaculately typed notice:
I have purchased on behalf of the House, I new billiard cue at a cost of SO shillings. Please treat it with respect; last year 8 cues were broken through carelessness or wilful stupidity . . ."
Among last year's more promising players was Mr. Allen, this year's Assistant Custodian, who if we remember aright, first caught Mr.. Schroder's eye by breaking a cue: graft!
Although Italy suffered enormous damage during World War II to Industry, buildings and especially roads and bridges, the country is making a rapid recovery and has undertaken a vast reconstruction programme—an outstanding example is the town of Cassino which has been almost completely rebuilt, together with Its world-famous monastery.
Three films on this theme were shown at the International Club recently by Dr. Padovan who gave an introduction to each. He explained how sharply the unemployment level had dropped since the immediate post-war years, and told of some places he had visited soon after the war and described the changes that had taken place since reconstruction began. He emphasised the rapid growth of Italy's population in the last few years, this being borne out by the many blocks of new flats shown in the films.
He said that Bicycle Thieves gave a true picture of immediate postwar Italy with its problems of widespread unemployment and black market, but it was clear from the documentaries shown that conditions are changing rapidly. The final film was a French colour production on the mosaics at Ravenna, most of which date from the 6th century. They deal chiefly with Biblical themes and show amazing care in colour and construction.
Once in crime detection tales the butler or valet was always the villain, if he wasn't the victim; today art and democracy have progressed so far that he is presented as at least the assistant detective.
But in everyday life we meet hardly a single Jeeves or Bunter. Surely even New Zealand's socialism would find room for such useful beings and even our capitalism could support them.
Why then don't they exist here? It can't be for want of material; New Zealanders have abundant initiative and ability, so almost every tourist assures us (and those who don't are probably silent for admiration). So it must be the training that is lacking; after all, such paragons are not only excellent servants—tactful, able, never making mistakes—they are also walking encyclopaedias and universal handymen.
Candidates could be carefully selected under a Government bursary scheme and sent to university to follow a course based on useful and general knowledge as far as possible; they should have a moderate training in social and sporting skills; so that by graduation they would be able to quote and identify any author, translate any language—including codes—know all psychological reactions, deal with chemical experiments, know the habits of any animal or plant, be expert in graphology, poisons, fine arts, boxing and wrestling (i.e. Rugby), dancing, mechanics, and polite conversation—and, of course, be good looking and have the right politics.
It is a project Victoria could pioneer in New Zealand—and, indeed, in the world. We can foresee a rosy future when this career is the ambition of every youngster; when Jeevianism rivals even school-teaching as the end of a University degree, though of a much higher standard.
This year there is a noticeable rise in the standard of play throughout the club. There are a large number of keen members who are being coached by "A" grade players. Several good outside players have joined and the club is possibly one of the strongest in Wellington.
Law text-books are not included in the 10 per cent discount available on text-books to students who purchase from members of Associated Booksellers, the Annual Report of the Students' Association notes.
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The position of the student union building at the moment is "that the architect has been given permission to make test bores on the tennis courts to enable him to determine the site requiring the least expenditure on foundations," records the VUCSA Annual Report.
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Some progress has been made on the student union building this year. A meeting was held between the executive and current and past members of the Student Union Building Planning Committee. The main discussion centred around the facilities that were to be provided in the building.
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A report embodying the points approved by this committee was prepared and forwarded to the Student Union Building Planning Committee. The Committee decided that the architect (Mr. Muston of Struction Group) should be instructed to prepare sketch drawings based on the facilities outlined in the report.
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The drawings were prepared and were immediately placed before a meeting of the Planning Committee in May. Four schemes were given, varying in size, location, cost of erection and type of facilities included.
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The scheme that received the most approval and was within our monetary resources provided for club rooms, executive, editorial, common common rooms and quiet reading room as well as for a cafeteria seating approximately 240. It appears that it will be impossible to build a gymnasium and a theatre at the present time because of lack of finance. Provision is to be made when constructing the building for the addition of a theatre on an adjoining site. All the money that is available (approx. £110,000) will be needed for the erection of a building which excludes those lost-mentioned facilities.
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The Gymnasium, states the annual report, is in its usual state but is showing badly the signs of wear and tear. The old stage in the lower gym, has been enclosed to provide a committee room in which the meetings of the Executive are now held. This was a very necessary step as the old combined office and meeting room had become unbearably cramped. The competing activities of the building and storage of extrav. properties and use by the sporting clubs creates many problems but it is hard to see what can be done to solve these permanently at present.
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The financial situation of the Association this year was dominated, said the secretary, by two factors: the levy of 4/- per student for the Student Union building fund, and the need for heavy capital expenditure. A compulsory levy was imposed by the Constitution but has been waived for the past three years. Last year is the first time that this levy has been met. In addition to the levy there was a backlog of capital expenditure on facilities such as the common rooms and cafeteria, which had to be faced. Approximately £400 has been set aside for this purpose from last year's extravaganza and capping income.
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The position was alleviated to a certain degree by the utilisation of idle funds in the hands of the clubs. The practice was followed of deducting cash balances from the club grants. Club grants were approximately the same as in previous years. It is hoped that the growing sense of responsibility of the clubs in regard to finance will be continued in the future. Perhaps the greatest weakness at present is the failure of the secretaries and treasurers of the clubs to report receipts and expenditures to the committees.
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An issue of "Spike" was published in
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An unpaid gas bill of £150 in the Association's name was paid by the Association after the catering firm of last year, Messrs, Hudson Caterers, went into liquidation. Some or the cost will be recovered from the assets of the company.
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An approach was made to Tea Services Ltd. to take over the cafeteria and they accepted. Tremendous difficulties have been experienced with the equipment in the kitchen of the cafeteria and a considerable amount of expensive equipment will have to be replaced in the near future.
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The men's common room controller, Mr. G. I. Rich, reported: "The men's common common room is in its usual sad state. The executive has thought seriously about its improvement. Approximately £200 from the profits of last year's extravaganza have been put aside for this purpose. A quote has been obtained from Scouliars for a new leather suite and the executive has considered a new type of steel chair. The executive has been cautious in the choice of furniture because common rooms need something that is both durable and comfortable."
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There has been little or no change in the women's common room this year, the WCR controller Miss R. Burton reported to the AGM. However, when suitable furniture has been decided upon it is to be refurnished, and we hope, redecorated with extra locker space available. A metal chair was bought and placed in the common room on trial. This was found to be unsuitable.
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One poorly-attended meeting was held during the year with club representatives to discuss mainly the allocation of the gym and the care clubs should take of funds entrusted to their care.
Published for the Victoria University College Students' Association, Inc., by Brian Shaw, student, of 252 The Terrace, Wellington, and printed by The Standard Press, 25a Marion Street, Wellington.
Perfect weather contributed to the success of a most enjoyable days golf at Paraparaumu on Sunday, June 19; a Stableford competition resulted in a win for Brian Bennett with 36 points gross—81. To some degree this reflects the high standard of golf which augurs well for Tournament. However, Tournament success, while most gratifying, is not the most important of the Club's activities; more satisfaction would be derived from greater success with regard to the fostering of golf within the University. It is therefore hoped that all members, particularly lady members, will not hesitate to attend Club days even though their golf is not "up to scratch". (There is provision for ladies golf at Tournament when sufficient interest is forcoming). Those who would like coaching contact the Secretary (J. M. Moulden—Weir House, Telephone 45-012) and some group or individual coaching will be arranged with a Wellington professional. Members are requested to watch the notice board for further golfing news.
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Even the spirited antics of the Weir Haka Party could do little to instil some life into Victoria's annual game with Auckland University College played at Athletic Park recently. In a most uninspiring match Auckland ran out the winners. 17-6. Auckland were without several of their star players in Tanner, Ludbrook, Hutchinson and Fitzpatrick, and indeed took the field with some third grade players in their line-up. Notwithstanding this, they were not hard pressed to defeat a listless Victoria hide, who were conspicuous for their complete lack of imagination in their flay. The one Victoria player who Impressed was Peter Osborne at full-back, who was his usual steady self and gave one of his safest displays this season.
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Last Saturday. Varsity defeated their old opponents Poneke 17-9. For several seasons past. Poneke have proved something of a nemesis to the student side, but this time Varsity left the issue beyond doubt. The new backline with Watson and Barry in the five eight positions again functioned efficiently. Ron Jarden was again in great form on the wing, notching eleven points and only just failing by two to aggregate a century of points for the club season. In the forwards Stuart and Nepia again played well, while Bill Clark and Bristowe were outstanding in loose play.
It has been noted with interest that several young players who have won a place in the senior Rugby team in the last season or so have made rapid advancement and should ensure a strong Victoria side for some seasons to come. The backline playing at the time of writing Includes four very promising young players in Webby, Watson, Barry and Tony Clark. In the forwards the younger players are less prevalent, but are lacking nothing in comparison with their rearguard colleagues. Perry Preston-Thomas and Gerry Blathwayt are two players, who although rather on the light side, will give strength to the pack for some years to come.
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After a series of disappointing failures the seniors turned in two outstanding performances in trouncing Petone 7-1 in a Chatham Cup Local Quarter-final and Marist 6-2 in a Championship game. At last the scoring potential of the talented forward line was revealed in gratifying glimpses of superb football. Nearly all the 13 goals scored in the two games came from passing moves, speedy following up, intelligent positioning and deadly shooting. All five forwards have played well with Naidu and Phillips perhaps shading the others in pace and shooting ability. The most pleasing shading feature of the games was the combination of the forward line which showed that by moving the ball about the players can keep the opposition guessing and at the same time conserve their energy for the sporadic dashes when an opportunity is presented.
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The two wing-halves have also performed with distinction, particularly against Petone when Peter Preston and David Jones dominated mid-field play with excellent intercepting and passing to their own forward line. In the second game Jones maintained his high standard but Preston's performance was mediocre in spite of scoring a good goal with a tremendous drive. As soon as he curbs his tendency to go too far up on attack and fail to cover up on defence quickly enough because of his lack of speed Peter will be one step nearer to becoming the perfect wing-half. Kirk and Richardson, the two fullbacks have been very solid and efficient with the former having a slight edge in positional play. The clearing of both men has been first class. Page, the goalkeeper showed good form against Petone. Apart from one unaccountable lapse he maintained this form against Marist.
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The centre-half Bill Aldridge has fully justified his selection in the Wellington representative side which played so well against the touring Chinese team. In this game it was commonly agreed that Bill was the outstanding player in the home side. In spite of a cracked nose this courageous player has turned out 3 times in 2 weeks turning in a sparkling display each time.
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Next week the team faces the well performed Stop Out XI. If Varsity plays as it has done in the past 2 weeks then it should emerge victorious once again. The talent is there and all that is needed is the maintenance of the teamwork and drive that has made Varsity a team to be reckoned with in local Soccer.
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In the only game this team has played in the last 2 weeks, it drew with the strong Dutch team Zealandia. Varsity played with 10 men in the first spell. In the second half Zealandia had the benefit of a wind that had freshened and employing questionable rough-house tactics the Dutch boys gave the defence a torrid time. Goalkeeper Naisbitt rose to the occasion splendidly. Stan George also showed that he has plenty of courage and defended well. The team badly missed hard-tackling Clements who was not available. In the forwards newcomer Adi Raman made a good impression using his speed to score 2 good goals and working hard. Outside right Dick Holland showed that ho possesses a quick thinking brain when he took a free kick in a flash thereby making a scoring opportunity for Raman. For his size Dick's tackling is disappointingly sub-standard. He would do well to get his body right behind the ball when tackling.
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This team beat Onslow 1-0 last week but the score could have been 5-0 with a little luck, several shots shaving the posts. Eastgate playing his first game at right-half displayed very good ball-control and passing ability as well as speed and positional sense. Doomen gave an improved showing in goal as did Youles at left half who is very quick to learn. Former senior player, Reddy was an unusual sight playing on the wing in his first game of this year.
In one of the roost hotly contested races in the history of the event the Varsity harriers emerged victorious for the second year in succession. The race was characterised by some brilliant individual efforts, but the basis of success was undoubtedly teamwork, a feature that has typified many winning performances in the past three seasons. Despite the atrocious overhead conditions, that prevailed throughout the contest the old record that stood to the credit of Lyndale (Auckland) was slashed by over 7 minutes.
The team in order of running was: M. Browne, J. Ryan, M. Truebridge, R. Crange, I. Sussex, T. Beaglehole, R. Gilberd, A. Gow, J. Hawke and G. Stevens.
The field got under way in pouring rain, and racing along the Hutt Road the leaders soon sorted themselves out. Mike Browne, together with the Scottish man set a cracking pace and the pair opened up a gap that was steadily increased until the Petone change-over. Browne hung on tenaciously and was headed at the end if the lap by only a few seconds. John Ryan, a first-year runner, hotly pursued the leader to Talta, and at the end of the second lap only a small margin separated the two teams. Ryan's run in the light of his relative inexperience in such a race was highly creditable. Mike Truebridge did not perform quite as well as expected and at Upper Hutt Varsity had dropped back to third place behind Scottish and Masterton.
Rod Crange running the Te Mania lap made up considerable ground on Masterton but at the change-over Scottish had obtained a handy lead of three minutes. Ian Sussex entrusted with the testing Mangaroa lap, scuttled over the foothill in brilliant fashion, with the result that at Kaitoke the Scottish lead had dwindled to about one minute with Masterton just holding on to second place.
Running up the Rimutakas Tim Beaglehole swept past Masterton and despite a gallant chase behind the Scottish man the latter had two minutes in hand at the summit. Dick Gilberd running the gruelling downhill lap in record-breaking style reduced this deficit considerably and at the Featherston change-over Varsity was trailing Scottish by Just over a minute. Tony Gow inflicted with the exasperating monotony of the long straights to Greytown was set a difficult task to catch the leader and despite a near record run was not able to bridge the gap.
The crisis had been reached and Clem Hawke in his lap to Clareville rose to the occasion magnificently. Running with great determination he all but pegged the leader back and the honour of putting us into the lead was loft with Graeme Stevens.
Stevens ran past the Scottish man very early in his lap and with a bewildering pace dashed into Masterton a clear winner by over five minutes, amid great excitement.
The winning time was 5 hours 44 minutes and several other teams finished Inside 6 hours, the first time that more than two teams have done so.
The five-mile
This year's race was run under very cold conditions and resulted in Varsity being narrowly defeated by Olympic with Masterton third and Scottish fourth. As the race progressed the Varsity team resolved itself into two separate bunches, Gow, Hawke and Gilberd being near to the leaders throughout and a second bunch some way back. At the finish Tony Gow was in 10th place, followed by Clem Hawke in 11th and Dick Gilberd in 13th place. Mike Brown (23rd) finished just ahead of Tim Beaglehole, John Holden. Ian Sussex, Rod Orange and John Ryan. John Riseborough our tenth man finished in about 40th position.
In the final analysis Varsity was headed by Olympic by 6 points. Graeme Stevens or Mike Truebridge would have tipped the scales in our favour if they had been available but on the day Olympic fully justified their win and we congratulate them on their long awaited success. This was the first win in the Dorne Cup in 27 years.
We hear that the Harrier Club is intensely interested in the position of one of their members, a lecturer at VUC, who is a possibility for this year's Winter Tournament team. The constitution demands for eligibility, a two thirds attendance of lectures totalling three hours a week. Whether this definitely excludes staff members from participating is open to doubt. As it is the Harrier Club were only able to obtain the services of Grahame Stevens, of the Geology Department, this season because he was completing his thesis.
The problem needs careful handling as, if a precedent were established, we might face the prospect of seeing Prof. Campbell attending Easter Tournament as a member of the Law Moot team. While questions of eligibility are usually referred by correspondence to the various Tournament delegates, they could easily prefer to let the problem go forward to NZUSA where it might prove very embarrassing to the newlyappointed NZUSA sports officer Dick Gilberd who is also club captain of the VUC Harrier Club.
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Our assistant sports editor reports that, in the main, results from the Women's Winter Sports Clubs have not been very encouraging. It appears that even better results could be achieved if members were prepared to play every week and turn out regularly for practice. This news is disturbing and we warn clubs to beware of the member who joins for the sole purpose of attempting to, gain a place in the Tournament team without being prepared to put in the necessary practice and work.
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We are pleased to note that since our last issue, containing a plea from Bill Landreth, Phy. Ed. Officer of the College, more women students have taken advantage of the lunch-hour facilities offering in the Upper Gymnasium. They certainly add colour to the usually drab Gym., and furthermore it appears that the number of male students attending has also increased. We wonder if there is any connection.
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As stated elsewhere in this issue the number of Blues to be awarded annually in Men's Indoor Basketball has been increased to eight. This move will certainly be welcomed by all sportsmen in the University as the recent high standard attained by our Senior Team has shown that the previous number of awards (5) was not sufficient to cover all the players who fully deserved them. It also brings their quota into line with the other Sports Clubs in the University.
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Since the Soccer notes on this page were written the Senior XI has defeated the Stop Out side and will go on to play Hospital in the local final of the Chatham Cup. We wish them well and hope that in a few months time the "green and golds" will be back on the Basin for the New Zealand final.