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The Executive was bitterly blamed for failing to protest strongly against the recent fees increase. Hapless victims of the three hundred per cent, rise in tuition fees desperately attempted to oust the Executive in a motion of no confidence. They failed.
It was moved by Mr Dwyer and seconded by Mr Butterworth "That the Association is completely opposed to the recent increase in fees."
These two students also moved that: "This special general meeting of the Association has no confidence in the Executive."
Mr. Dwyer led the opposition against the executive. He charged the executive members with incompetence and with having failed to protect student interests at Victoria University. The executive, he alleged, concerned itself with minor matters. The executive members worried about trivialities (like writing to newspapers and proposing to line students up against a wall and having them "shot"); they concerned themselves with the bursary holders; they concerned themselves with the side issues relating to the system of bursaries; but they are not actually worried about the actual rise in university fees.
The President endeavoured to explain the complexity of the problem; and he tried to show the necessity for conducting proceedings and negotiations with the government on "diplomatic lines". We must have cool heads. We must have facts to support our claims. Facts, and not senseless shouting, should be the basis for our protests.
Furthermore, Mr. Mitchell issued a challenge: Ousting the executive at this time of the year can mean a serious disruption of student activities such as Extravaganza and Capping Week. Not only would it be unjust; but it would also be dangerous and unwise to remove the present executive members from their posts.
A profound silence followed this challenge. There was an atmosphere of meekness among the audience.
Finally, he claimed that the local executives and the national Students' Association were already working feverishly on the matter as early as last year, as soon as the fantastic change in rates was announced by the government. The executive was quite aware that the apparent benefits of the new bursary system were illusory; they were quite aware that there are many cases where students do not have the benefit of bursaries at all.
But it must have time to prepare its case. And that case—for lower fees, or a reasonable bursary system—could not be prepared at a time when everyone was away from the university. Thus, we have this apparent "conspiracy of silence". There was much behind the scenes which the student public did not see.
It will be interesting to observe just whether the wrath of the fees-increase victims will die down. It is unlikely that these people will content themselves with passing futile protest motions. If negotiations do not produce reasonable results, and if those results are not evident soon, it is possible that these martyrs will resort to more brutal means such as public demonstrations. Such seemed to be the feeling of some people at the meeting. We have a voice; and we must use that voice. We must make ourselves heard.
On the whole, nothing much was achieved at the special general meeting. At least, some of the students at the meeting did not think so. But this much could be said: the meeting provided good entertainment. And if there are no people like Mr. Dwyer (or Mr. Blizzard) around, the concept of democracy would be a mere fantasy and nothing else. Perhaps the most entertaining remarks were those given by a certain Mr. Hamilton. As they were of a rather indelicate nature, "Salient" will not publish them here.
Other resolutions passed at the special general meeting were as follows:
Moved M. J. Moriarty; seconded Miss M. Clark:—
That in clause 21 (b) (ii) (H) of the third schedule to the Constitution (Conduct of Elections), the words "Chairwoman Women's House Committee who shall be a woman" be deleted and replaced by the words "Women's Representative, who shall be a woman."
Note. —The portfolio of Chairwoman, Women's House Committee has not been a success and the holder has not found herself with sufficient work to do. In the regulations, which the Executive will draft in the event of this amendment being approved, provision will be made for the portfolio holder to be an ex officio member of most Sub-Committees. It is intended that the portfolio will also handle all matters of particular concern to women students.
Moved V. G. Maxwell; seconded Margaret Clark:—
That in view of the additional financial penalty involved in failing examinations the Students Association recommend to the College Council that those who fail examinations be given a second opportunity to pass by the holding of "Specials" towards the end of January.
(Note.—This practice is wide-spread overseas and exists for medical and agricultural students in New Zealand.)
Moved R. Bromby; seconded P. Blizard:—
That the Association endorse the refusal of the University Council to permit the Department of Labour to peruse the personal files of students in accordance with the traditions of academic freedom.
from Salient Observer
You may never read this. Doctor, but in case a copy of our paper reaches your town, here's what we think of your statement that co-education is to blame for increased schoolgirl pregnancies.
You say that of the 50 pregnant schoolgirls you interviewed, "quite a number came from co-educational schools." We presume that by "quite a number," you mean a majority.
Does it occur to you, Doctor, that the majority of students in your country attend co-educational schools?
Let me clue you in on some well-known facts. There is a greater instance of sexual perversion arising from private school backgrounds, than arises from co-educational school backgrounds. The reason for this is that pupils of private (boarding) schools live a life free from natural contact with the opposite sex.
Their unnatural life in the formative years debars many such pupils from ever accepting the opposite sex as normal beings.
Doctor, isn't it the same in schools where the sexes are segregated? Wouldn't you agree that many pupils of such schools think of the opposite sex as "freaks"?
Which would you rather have—a World of Perverts, or a Few Natural Illegitimate Births?
Take, for example the case of a district where segregated education was introduced some three years ago. The parting of boy and girl was effected to stop time being wasted with silly ogling in the classroom. Now more time is wasted than ever, with notes passing between the schools, and in many cases from boy to boy, and girl to girl. An increase in the number of effeminate pupils at the Boys' School has been noticed. It might help you to look at the results of the English Public School system, before you decide.
The present Government was completely responsible for all scandal in the Nelson Cotton Mill affair, said the Hon. A. H. Nordmeyer last Thursday. He was addressing the V.U.W. Labour Club. The mill, he said, played an important part in the attempt to correct the very dangerous imbalance in the country's economy. Therefore the National Government has been acting against the best interests of New Zealand as a whole, to appease its friends.
When Labour came into power in 1957 there was a severe balance of payments crisis. It was urgent to cut down the drain on overseas funds. Import controls helped, but only as a temporary solution. Some imports could not be cut out. However, if raw materials for industry could be imported in their rawest form and goods exported in their most processed, then a great amount of money could be saved. This is the principle of Manufacture in Depth. If raw cotton could be processed in New Zealand instead of having to import finished cloth, with this one mill we should have saved £695,000 in foreign exchange per year.
Equally important, the population increase is such that 20,000 extra jobs will have to be found every year.
In answer to some of the National Government's allegations about the project, Mr Nordmeyer said that the company, Smith and Nephew, proposed to produce 20 per cent of New Zealand's needs for cotton goods. This is far from being a monopoly. The share of the market that was guaranteed to them they in fact possessed already.
It was important to remember that Nelson as a site was chosen by the firm, not by Government.
The Company felt, contrary to National allegations, that the Department of Industries and Commerce was over-zealous in its desire to protect the New Zealand public's interests.
Before the change of government, company representatives had seen Mr Holyoake and discussed the Mill. Mr Holyoake said that no details were discussed. The Chairman of the company said that the talks were "fairly full." And in 1961 Mr Marshall declared that the agreement was binding and the National Government had no intention in abrogating it.
The main opposition to the Cotton Mill came from the local manufacturers, importers and distributors of cotton goods. Nordmeyer pointed out that the middle-men derive a greater income from these goods than do the manufacturers. They exerted great pressure (£1,500 worth) on the Government and it succumbed.
On
The Prime Minister stated recently that government had not terminated the agreement unilaterally, both parties being anxious to do so. He said that he would seek permission to publish the company's letter showing this. That letter had been in the Government's hands, claimed Nordmeyer, since September last.
In fact the company did Not offer to terminate the agreement, but only admitted, in this letter, that it could be terminated if the government were determinedly hostile to It.
Contrary to the Prime Minister's statement the Director of the company concerned states it was Cabinet that proposed abrogation of the agreement.
Was the agreement legally binding? It must have been, because otherwise there would be no need to pay compensation.
There is some confusion about how much we will have to pay for the privilege of not having a cotton mill. Mr McAlpine suggested £1 million, Mr Holyoake £¼ million, Mr Marshall, who, as Minister of Industries and Commerce, should know, said £½ million.
Mr Nordmeyer concluded that it was evident that all scandal in the cotton affair was due to the actions of the National Party Cabinet.
Vol. 25, No. 4 Monday, April 9, 1962
Published by the Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association.
The opinions expressed in " Salient" are not necessarily those of the editors or staff. All unsigned and anonymous material must however, be construed as editorial.
The opening of a new era in both educational advancement and social democratisation was given a potential marking, two Mondays ago: the appeal for the Maori Education Foundation was opened. The inception of this appeal represents an embryonic development. For it to be counted a success, more than a million pounds cash must be found. However, mere money, often only a salve to an itchy conscience, is not truly sufficient to guarantee success; this appeal, above all else, requires the support of the people of New Zealand, and in particular, of the Maori. At the present time, it appears that leaders, both Maori and European, are giving full support to this venture — it is to be hoped that this lead will eventuate into something of substance.
We New Zealand students, as a group, are often accused of being apathetic, difficult to rouse, in a word, lethargic. The Foundation represents a challenge, which, if taken up, will throw these accusations back in the face of our accusers. What is the Foundation aiming to do with the funds? They will be used principally, to finance the Post Primary and University education of academically fit Maori students. It is to be hoped that a certain proportion will also be given to post Graduate Scholarships and educational research — on problems associated with Maori education.
Why does the Maori need "special" education provision? The answer to this is complex, but a simplification may be put thus: at present the Maori represents a socially depressed class; bad housing, inadequate sanitary and health practices and a concentration of wage-earners in the lower income bracket, all these factors contribute to the why of the problem. By far the most important determinant is that of a high birth-rate (double that of the European). It can be easily seen that in the average Maori family of two adults and six children, "living" on an annual income of about £600 (this represented the average in
We are asking you, one and all—when the campaign for funds is launched at Victoria—to give as generously as you can; both of your time (for collectors are required), and of hard cash. It is only through equality of educational provision (i.e., taking account of the special factors that prevail upon the Maori section of the community) that equality of social opportunity can become a reality, and not, as it stands at present, just another myth. We, in New Zealand, provide for some of the requirements of the Colombo Plan—and quite rightly; but in the midst of this we must not lose sight—that "charity" (there must be a more suitable word) begins at home. A possible solution has been forwarded: cash—plus. The rest is over to us.
Sir,
So the Executive has the confidence of a Special General Meeting. This should not be taken to mean that it has the complete confidence of the student body, I feel that exec's actions and lack of action leaves much to be desired.
Rather than call a special general meeting I would like to ask the following questions:—
Spike"?
If anyone would like to know why these matters were not raised at the S.G.M. ask the chairman— he accepted a closure motion before the matter had been fully discussed—before any of the above had been touched at all. I suggest that exec. be lined up against a wall and allowed to rot.
Sir,
I was amazed, to say the least, how an element of the students present at the recent Special General Meeting of the Association were permitted by the chairman to close the debate before all those wishing to speak had done so. This element also showed them-selves in true colours when, after Giving Armour Mitchell a completely uninterrupted hearing, they tried to stop the extension being granted to Mr Dwyer (luckily defeated) and then Interrupted his speech with loud remarks.
Smear tactics were the order of the night. First, a rather odious Mr Hamilton attempted to make fun of protagonist Dwyer by rather cheap jokes that the audience, to their discredit, responded to happily. Second, a waffling Mr Bidder tried to bring up Dwyer's Anarchist beliefs which were entirely irrelevant to the meeting. But it was a good smear anyway.
Finally, this business of secret ballot. About 10% of these assembled requested a secret ballot. On the instigation of noted Clown Butler, the meeting denied the right of a secret ballot. All in all, then, it was a well controlled meeting. I'm only ashamed to belong to such a student body.
Sir,—This is a heart-felt protest on behalf of the apathetic, or at least a small section of them. Mr Murray only echoes the countless pleas of numbers of the small but hardy race of organisers at Victoria. I admit that perhaps I need some organising, and to a certain extent I respond, but I also contend that organisers will go on organising when there is nothing left to organise, and to that extent I, by joining, or going, or doing, become a function of the organisers, rather than vice versa, the way it should be.
An extension of this is that the joiner becomes a function of the joined group, and immediately upon entrance solidifies into another facet, brilliant but regular, of the group facade. He may eventually become a big and lustrous facet, but he will always be just another relationship to be considered. My heresy is that I disbelieve in clubs as seedbeds of jolly good friendships. I prefer to think of them rather in terms of assignations, or vendettas, and I consider friends made in clubs in the same category as friends made when drunk.
I do heartily recommend joining for the joiners, but I suggest that those who do cleave onto one of the heartier purposive conglomerations concentrate single-mindedly on the activities offered, avoiding personal contacts which seem delightful in the chummy inebriation of the meeting-room, but seem of less solid stuff outside.
Granted, people are basically interesting, or amusing, but the sub-group university student is at first appearance uniformly horrifying, and the practice of meeting them in groups should be avoided until the individual members can be sorted out and analysed.
Sir,—In his article on Orientation Week Cam Murray asserts, in bold type, that the "avowed aim" of the Anarchist is "the complete destruction of anything organised." I would respectfully suggest that Mr Murray is misinformed on the subject of the aims of Anarchists. Authority for my suggestion can not only be found in Anarchist literature, but also in any serious definition of "Anarchism." The Penguin Dictionary of Politics states as follows:—
". . . . There Is (however) no anarchism advocating anarchy in the sense of dissolution of every social order." Further reference to any encyclopeadia dealing with anarchism (Brittanica, Chamber's, Everyman's etc.) would soon show Mr Murray that he is abysmally ignorant of the aims of the Anarchist Movement.
Sir
Though an advocate of originality and non conformity, I feel that I must draw the line where time is concerned.
Why cannot all the clocks, be functioning, i.e., E006. Why cannot all the clocks, both in S.U.B. and the University be adjusted to approximately the same time, instead of being all different.
Hoping that the situation could possibly be remedied.
Sir,
Of interest to all egotists should be the article "Nothings" in your last issue of "'Salient". The first person pronouns "I" and "my" occur 114 times.
This is a good example of just how personal and subjective modern art-forms have become. Art is now the Tool, the guinea-pig of intellectual and emotional immaturity and instability, used by people afraid of losing their identity in life's rat-race.
Sir,—Once again, someone has has taken it upon himself to complain about "The shortness of skirts worn by certain sections of our community." It appears that "Male" is trying to prove the aptness of his pseudonym by telling us his passions are uncontrollably aroused at the sight of a female knee (I hope he is not getting his knife into Vic's Kilted Laddle too!) to the extent that he cannot swot.
This I simply do not believe, for two reasons: (i) Surely, "Male," if he has ever done anything to assert his masculinity, would not be aroused by the sight of anything so innocuous as knees. Most V.U.W. blokes would not be aroused by anything.
(ii) If "Male" were doing any real swot, it would make no difference to him if hemlines were neck level. Distraction produced is dependent on the individual's inability to concentrate, not the distracting agent.
I suggest, Sir, that the only motive present in "Male's" dirty little provincial mind for writing that letter was the prompting of a few dirty little provincial sniggers behind a few dirty little provincial hands.
Sir,—I am interested in the reason for the inverted commas placed around the heading of the portion of this year's Salient devoted to letters from readers, viz. "Correspondence." The editors apparently consider that the standard of letters likely to be received from their "correspondents" will be pitifully unworthy of that term as it is generally used.
This attitude seems, at the very least, condescending, and if the actual purpose of the inverted commas was merely, perhaps, decoration, I would advocate their immediate removal in order to do away with a regrettable ambiguity.
Dear Sir,—As students now pay three times their former fees, there is some basis for a claim to more voice in University matters.
I therefore suggest that the course now known as English is actually History of English Literature. Accordingly, there is a place and a need for a course in English.
Such topics as craftsmanship in writing prose, poetry and drama; variations in the written and spoken language of different English-speaking communities; and trends of style; could be included.
Then, as a language course, English could be counted as a modern language in the B.A. degree ... a requirement that Victoria has not yet brought up to date in any other way.
Sir,
I would like to know what the Full effect of the new fees increase is going to be.
Already it is possible to enter the common room at 6 p.m. and find not only no card games in progress, but some people are actually studying! This is an unprecedented condition for this time of year. So much so that I fear the Universities may become places of learning and not as they should, the social amphitheatres of New Zealand's (sic) intellectuals.—I am, etc.,
Current joke in left-wing circles; "An anarchist—one who joins the Anarchist association for the sake of freedom and allows himself to be pushed around by Bill Dwyer."
The material collected for these forthcoming articles is taken from authentic sources without exaggeration. in an endeavour to give a clear account of the year referred to as the dark ages.
This is not meant to be a smear against Religion as practised today by the modern or western world; but a view of humanity's struggle to rise out of the dark and step forward into their future. It is only one view of the happenings of the past. On the spiritual struggles that took place then, all else hung, Including the spiritual philosophy and happenings of today.
With extremely few exceptions, the information can be found in the original manuals and books printed at that time, or English translations which are now available. For example, The Laws and Customs of the Inquisition taken directly from Eymeric and his continuator.
The Inquisition, and its history as we know it today, deals completely with the Church of Rome. While all Churches are supposed to have lost the spirit of Christ, no Church on Earth, except the Church of Rome, has given itself to persecution. No other Church has ever had a separate department for the persecution and punishment of Christians or non-Christians, with a code of law, appointed courts, and judges.
The organised persecution of Christians by Christians may be found in the records of history. One of the earliest and prominent records to be found is the Theodosian Code, a record of the heretic laws passed by Constantine the Great. In time his Edicts became part of the civil laws of Europe. They show how diversities of religious opinion were prevented, and how those who had opinions were treated and punished.
It would be interesting to note at this time what type of torture was applied and how it was carried out. Here then is a brief description of torture as taken from "Libro Nero." (The Black Book).
The victim was stripped of all clothing and his hair cut off' after being examined by a doctor and surgeon, who In their medical office, voiced any objection to the victim being tortured. If labelled fit, they were laid upon the rack, asked to tell the truth, and then stretched to the required length. If the victim was incapable of undergoing torture in any part of his body, they were usually sentenced to be burned.
Thus did the guardians of the (true) faith protect themselves against those who would think for themselves.
The Inquisition did not originate in any single mind. It was not intended to meet a merely local or temporary exigency but grew out of the mutual jealousies of the people, and the overbearing tyranny of over lords. Something in this time of history was needed, some institution for the suppression of discontent, some all-pervading agency, everywhere active, but no where conspicuous, which would subdue each opponent as he rose and put every complaining voice to silence. So rose this shield of defence against political, as well as religious rebels. At its height of power, the protection from heretics seemed to come last.
In our next article, we will place in some detail, the workings of the various courts throughout Europe, and the Laws dealing with the examination of the prisoner, defence, prison and privileges. We will also discuss the preparations for the "Auto-de-Fe." Meha.
There was a minor fire in the common room at about 9 p.m. on March 27. A straw dustbin was set alight by a cigarette butt. The tire was extinguished by some nearby students. The only damage was a patch of scorching on the floor.
However, It could have been worse. Usually at this time of night there are no students around the common rooms. The dustbin was adjacent to several armchairs and these could easily have caught fire. A large amount of damage could have been done to the bulding.
Some students have no commonsense. Ashtrays are provided. Using a straw container as an ashtray is last asking for trouble. The union facilities are too valuable to he damaged by carelessness.
From these heretic Laws, the Ancient Inquisition arose. it did not have the organisation and cruelty, the latter would entail, but the ideals and foundations were present. The old laws started to be more rigidly enforced. Confiscation, banishment, and death were the, prices paid for disobedience.
The first acts taken against un authorised Christianity by a tribunal were taken against Aloigenses of Narbonne, who were condemned and led away for trial. Until then, heretics were hunted down and slaughtered, but were not tried by secret judicial courts. Heretics at this time were tried by those in authority over the land; the kings, counts and soldiers under their command.
The thought that Jumps to mind when dealing with this subject, is the burning alive of heretics. The commencement of this custom was about
It is generally conceded that art critics and newspaper editors are an uncultural lot. Most of them are only too happy to admit it: rational, natural men all. Amongst them, the editor of this paper (I will not name him, in order not to give offence) has ventured some discreditable opinions on film and culture—the appearance of erudition occasioned by a ripe fart at contemporary aesthetics is considered essential by some to the editorial image of conservative restraint. Others foster the untutored, practical approach. This is O.K. enough, but as far as I can see practicality has yet to be allied with common sense.
Wouldn't it be a pleasant surprise if they undertook their critical assignments from a love of the arts? Would it not be a pleasant surprise if they went to an exhibition of contemporary art to learn instead of instruct? Alas, that Welfare State democracy makes us all pretenders to common sense, gives us all pretentions to rational judgement: the pretenders think they find art in the Tourist and Publicity Poster and Calendar Pretty Picture Prize sponsored by Mr. K...h..r. Or perhaps they imagine art in the Manners Street Bank's mural's Maori with two left legs. Or the new St. Paul's, or in the design of the S.U.B.
Look what happens when these puffed-up colons are fronted with a significant artistic event like the Hays Contest or the Exhibition of Paintings from the Pacific. The former has through the past years aroused so much hatred in the newspapers that this year a judge of inferior standards, whose opinions coincided more or less with the mob's, had to be appointed. Sic transact.
For those who imagine modern art is not naturalistic or that contemporary N.Z. artists parrot overseas abstractionists, just take a look at the University's collection of N.Z. works. Without exception, the works of Colin McCahon, Don Peebles, M. WoolIaston, Paul Olds, Evelyn Page, Douglas MacDiarmid, and Julian Royds that I have seen there are taken from the N.Z. scene; towns, hills, back-country sheepland, Wellington at night and by day. The adverse critics themselves are the only unnatural elements.
No, art needs no apology. Tips to understanding: a knowledge of French (i.e., a realisation that people think and speak sensibly in a language other than one's own), and an awareness of form, line, colour and texture. One makes an apology for a cause which is won anyhow.
The statue of a Maori youth holding a child is, for example, a work of art. An Aucklander did it. It seems to have lost part of one foot.
In June this year the largest public appeal ever held in this country will be launched under the Food and Agricultural Organisation's international Freedom-from-hunger Campaign. The target is to raise an amount totalling half of New Zealand's annual Colombo Plan appropriation or an average of four shillings per head of population —half a million pounds in all. The New Zealand University Students' Association, after approaches from the I.S.C. Coordinating Secretariat in Leiden and from the F.A.O. head-quarters in Rome, undertook at its Annual Meeting in Otago last year to lend its support to the appeal by assisting with the publicity and fund-raising of the Campaign. By decision of the delegates present at the N.Z.U.S.A. Annual General Meeting, the Resident Executive was directed to pledge their support to the Government. Preparations for the New Zealand campaign by the National Freedom-from-Hunger Campaign Committee are now well advanced and the opportunity for the student community to give its full weight to the programme therefore is at hand.
It is almost a trite observation to say that millions of people are still undernourished; that of the world's 3,000 million people more of them went to bed hungry last night than well fed; that tomorrow morning there will be almost 140,000 more of us to feed and that each year science keeps a greater proportion of us alive through improved nutrition and through progress in the use of preventive medicines. These estimates have been reiterated too long for them to be impressive, and their constant use in contexts of moboratory have made us sceptical about their accuracy.
The known dimensions of the world food problem, however, are formidable enough. F.A.O. statistics cover no more than 40 countries comprising 1,300 million people—46% of the world's population. In all of these countries, with a combined population of 538 million, the average consumption of energy foods is known to be below minimum requirements. These countries are notably those located in the developing regions of the world, such as the Far East, Africa and Latin America. Mainly due to lack of complete or wholly reliable information, there are no comparable estimates for other regions of the world. But it can certainly be said that a similar general deficiency in energy foods is to be found in many other developing countries. This means, therefore, that more than half of the population of the world is not adequately fed.
Furthermore, in many countries, although the average calorie in-take may be above requirements, this average conceals the fact that large sectors of the population, particularly in the low-income brackets, are under-nourished or malnourished. Although sufficient data on the consumption of nutrients, such as proteins, minerals and vitamins, are not available to give even a rough order of magnitude for most countries, dietary surveys do indicate that deficiencies in the intake of these elements are wide-spread.
This is the situation today. It could be infinitely worse tomorrow. There are 50 million more people in the world every year. By the year
Statistics indicate that food production is increasing at the present moment at a slightly faster rate than the world population explosion. For instance, in eastern Europe, including the U.S.S.R.. food production per head is now about 40 per cent above the prewar level; In western Europe and North America it is now 15-20 per cent higher and in the Near East it is about 10 per cent better; in Latin America, Africa and the Far East, including China, the level of production is still estimated to be slightly less than it was before World War II. (It has been found that, whereas the population of the Asian region has increased by 15 per cent since the war years, agricultural production has now risen again only to the level of
These figures reveal an all too familiar pattern.
The technically advanced western countries are increasing food production at a greater rate than the densely populated and under developed areas. Population explosion therefore compounds the number of ill-fed people. If present levels of production are not improved in the newly emerging countries, at the turn of the century, the number of undernourished people will be, within our own lifetime, equal to the present world population. This is perhaps, far beyond the questions of Berlin and disarmament and the issues of colonialism and colour prejudice, the most demanding problem to face our generation.
The problem, moreover, is wider than that of stepping up primary production, and embraces the stumbling blocks of marketing and trade balances. It is worthless to build up the world rice supply, for instance, if those who would purchase have not the money to pay—they remain as hungry as if the rise didn't exist. We already know of the dangers of isolated over-production and are well aware of the destruction and dumping of food surpluses in recent years, from cacoa beans in Brazil to Canadian and U.S. prairie wheat and French butter. The successful efforts achieved within the United Nations to coordinate and control the disposal of these food surpluses through effective food supply programmes have made in-roads into this problem. There remain, however, more trenchant economic disparities. For technically advanced countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand, the average income per capita is about £556 per annum—at least Twelve times greater than that of 52 countries in the Afro-Asian region, where the average income is Less than £44 per year. In another group of 23 countries, including many in Central and South America, the average is between £44 and £89 a year, while in a third group of 25 countries including the Middle East and Near East the incomes ranged from £89 to £311. These figures, of course, are only a rough guide, but give a fair indication of relative living standards and, moreover, of the inability and lack of propensity of these countries to purchase from efficient primary producing countries such as New Zealand. Production, therefore, must be stepped up with in the underdeveloped countries themselves for malnutrition to be defeated.
It would seem from these remarks that those people who suffer from the diseases of malnutrition, wI are short-lived, illiterate and badly housed are not the exceptions—we, who escape these miseries, are the exception. For the majority of the world's people misery and impoverishment are to be accepted as the normal experiences of the human predicament. Our own freedom from hunger and want, moreover, in these circumstances can be neither a true nor a secure freedom until all men are free from these afflictions.
In response to the challenge, the 88-member nations of the Food and Agriculture Organisation have agreed to launch an all-out campaign. On
The election of officers and committee was completed although there were scarcely enough nominations to fill the vacant positions at the A.G.M. Debating Society.
Heavily assailed by sub-harmony (Music Society) on one flank and tumult ('Extrav") on the other a rather small group braved the onslaught for The Debating Meeting.
Unperturbed, Mr P. Hogg conducted the proceedings and having accepted the one or two apologies forthcoming carried out the formal business.
One point of interest in the general report for
In the general discussion Miss C. Benefield put a motion forward that maiden speakers should not be permitted to waive their right of freedom from interjection The motion was passed unanimously as the meeting agreed that in general new speakers were not aware of the ferocious demoralising capabilities of V.U.W. interjectors and so did not act in their own interests when they waived this right.
Other points raised were:—
The problem of preventing debates from becoming slow and boring toward the end.
The problem of financing sufficient publicity to obtain the necessary audiences at the debates. It was noted that the audience was particularly important in V.U.W. debates.
Two votes of thanks for long-standing members retiring were recorded: Miss C. Frost (treasurer) and Miss M. Boyle (secretary). They were thanked by Mr F. Hamlin for their long and sterling service to the club. Mr P. Hogg (chairman) was thanked by Mr B. Middleton of his record of skilful chairmanship and speaking.
A brief exposition of the club's aims and description of its activities from the chairman concluded the meeting.
Recently showing at the Centre Gallery was an exhibition of oils and watercolours by a Christchurch painter, Andre Brooke. Brooke, a Hungarian by birth, has painted overseas and runs the Durham Art Gallery in Christchurch.
In the collection of some fifty paintings no great talent was displayed; there was a certain maturity of style evident and certainly a fixed set of ideas, but only one or two canvases could really be called good painting. One, Still Life No. 4 (how annoying it is that Brooke does not name his paintings!) was superb; the great majority of his watercolours were less than mediocre, insipid, unrewarding sketches, filled in. Obviously Brooke has a greater talent in oils than watercolours, and when one realises that all the oils are abstract or semi-abstract, one wonders just what a representational work by Brooke would be like. However, Brooke has a fine sense of colour harmony, even though he does seem to be somewhat erratic in his work. He does not appear to be a consistent artist; consistent in theme he is, but not in quality
Derivative artistry, imitation of the circumabient artistic style is far too prevalent in our New Zealand society and Brooke appears to be no exception: A Raoul Dufy-like concentration on ships, yachts, sea and sky is unmatched by Dufy's, for want of a better word, aesthetic art. I do not say Brooke is derivative of Dufy but in theme and ideas there is more than a casual relationship. His colour sense, in some canvases line, is as said before almost non-existent in his watercolours and many of the oils. Trees was a quite clever study, semi-abstract and well composed, but those ever-evasive "poetic qualities" which one always hopes to find are absent. Not since Douglas MacDiarmid's exhibition last year have I seen these constable-some poetic qualities. S. B. Maclennan's watercolours have, however, a certain quotient of these qualities: of course compared with painters like Claude or Watteau— the past masters of their personal aestretic—they pale in comparison.
On the whole then, Brooke's exhibition was an interesting one, but if he finds himself succeeding in expressing himself, his creative spirit in terms of pure form and colour—though not entirely freed from a certain trace of naturalism, I find, like that great critic Berenson, meaningless and sterility. As I say, it is interesting in a diversionary sense.
I am reminded of a quotation I read some time ago by Jacques Maritain an art lover as well as a philosopher: "There is no exercise of the free creativity of the spirit without poetic intuition. In actual fact all . . . efforts of poetry ('the inner life of each and all the arts') cannot prevent non-representative art from tending of itself to the most limited form of beauty, with almost no echoing power, of the best balanced objects produced by mechanical arts. All in all abstract art taken as a system is in the same predicament as idealist philosophy. Both are walled in The conclusion of Maritain is that "of itself it (non-representative art) rather points to a period of stagnation and regression". Certainly this is true of the pretentious trash and rubbish which is hung in New Zealand today. With notable exceptions, it is true of the large majority if all non-representative work. There are almost no craftsmen in New Zealand today, rather "creators", or pseudo-creators, suigeneris. Artists prostituting their talents to produce monntrous absortions of ugliness and meaningless in their desire to be "modern". Too many Sunday painters, too little instruction on behalf of the various Art Galleries, absolutely no professional art criticism of any standard whatsoever and lamentably, as yet, no university, Art Historians—men like Oxford's Edgar Wind.
April 2nd-13th: An exhibition, which should be of some interest, of etchings and engravings by Louise Henderson and Kees Hos. The ancient craft of print-making by hand has been unexpectedly revived today and though knowing nothing of these two artists a visit should be well worth while. Both Henderson and Hos have had considerable overseas experience in the graphic arts, and are extremely well qualified.
There will be an exhibition of "Contemporary New Zealand Paintings" round about April 17th-27th. April 30th-llth May, Max Coolahan will have another showing of photographn.
We learn from the Directors of Willeston Galleries that about 17 of the Hays paintings will be on show in Mid-May. This is one show everyone should see and judge for themselves the winners of this controversial Art competition. John Summers, reviewing the show in the "New Zealand Listener", is not known to me but his review was, though I have not yet seen the show, of dubious partiality. In fact, it was about as good as any other piece of film or radio criticism one reads, in the Listener, and that's not saying much! The Hays attracts the crazy abstractionists; the Kelliher the imitating of nature mannerists. Into this dichotomy fall most of our painters. The few that refuse both these extremes provide some enjoyable painting but who wants such painting?
Apparently Sir Daryl Lindsay, this year's judge, did somehow, bring some sense of proportion to this year's show but next year as Summers—who, incidentally, does not "care too much about him (Lindsay) points out "the last might next time so easily become the first". I ask you, just what sort of standards in judging and criticising in New Zealand are indicated by this very true statement? In one word, nihilism.
Art and Anarchy
By
Gary L. Evans
The International Club held a successful dance in the Common Room on March 23. Valentino and the Ambassadors played energetically while about 200 people danced in pleasantly uncrowded surroundings.
A welcome was extended to freshers by the President, who also gave a brief summary of the Club's activities during last year.
The dance was given a truly international flavour by Colombo Plan students present, and by visitors from England and Australia. Although national costume was not worn by these students, the one graceful sari present emphasised that it was an occasion when east and west could meet and mix happily without losing their own identities.—I.B.
an instrument consisting of wine-glasses filled with water to varying heights, and struck with a tuning fork.
For their first concert this year, the new committee of the Music Society gathered a pleasing number of polished performances. The evening of Wednesday 28 had few other attractions, and a large audience listened intelligently and had their attention well rewarded. Maurice Quinn, who is one of the few people I know who can make the recorder into a brilliant virtuoso instrument, gave a warmly lyrical performance, quite moving in the slow movements, of a Sonata for Transverse Flute and Harpsichord by Handel. He was accompanied by Murray Brown. Jenny McLeod then presented two pieces for piano of student Gary Mutton. Short, but deliberate, they were impressive, individual statements, of strength and seriousness, sympathetically played.
I was enchanted at the performance at last year's Arts Festival of Haydn's Trio No. 6 in D Major, by Guy Dods (violin), Sue Smith ('cello), and Jenny MeLeod (piano). The same performance next on the programme enchanted me again. In an atmosphere free of tension, these three gifted students played with grace and refinement, recapturing the real spirit of 18th century chamber music. Charming music, played with soul; a delight to hear.
Then, from the Music Room's responsive piano, Robin Maconie drew some strange, ethereal sounds: Bartok's Minor Seconds Major Sevenths, a piece utilising harp-like bell-like, celeste and percussive effects. This was followed by the lyrical counterpoint of Schoenberg's Op 23 prelude, and in bright contrast was the last short piece, Bartok's Ostinato, whose biting rhythms, while reminding one of a circular saw, were still accurately realised.
To finish the advertised programme Prof. Page and Miss Nielsen contributed Ravel's Suite Ma Mere L'Oye for piano duet. Played with an exuberance not usually found amongst professional musicians, the suite made up in great good humour what it lacked in refinement and synchronisation.
Some 40 members of the audience remained after the concert to discuss musical topics over coffee and biscuits. The next Music Society presentation will be a Talk (not a lecture) on Modern Music. This will be on the evening of Thursday, April 12, and will be given by Professor Page. Dissenters are cordially Invited.—R.J.M.
Despite its somewhat forbidding title and the fact that it is sneaking around the bug-houses on double release with a fifth rate war film, I would recommend Angel Baby as a film which, for all its faults, is always engrossing entertainment. Following the path broken by Elmer Gantry, this small budget film has as its background revivalism in backwoods America, but is different from that picture in that it also has faith healing as a prominent ingredient.
I can think of only one other film which seriously investigates this subject, Georges Roquier's Lourdes Et Ses Miracles, and that has never been released commercially, though a sixteen millimetre print is available. Angel Baby does not pretend to be a defence, a support or an expose, instead it uses faith healing as a background to a fairly conventional love story. I am not one of those local critics who believe that a plot summary is the same as a review, but in this case it will make description of the film a lot easier.
A young and obviously sincere evangelist, Paul, is married to Sarah, a much older woman, with whom he travels around the country side preaching. A dumb girl, Jenny, comes to one of his prayer meetings and through him regains her voice; the couple then accept her into their entourage as an assistant. Inevitably, attraction develops between Paul and Jenny, and so she decides to travel off on her own. Paul realises that his wife had married him for his own neurotic needs and so asks her for a divorce.
Meanwhile, an unscrupulous manager hoaxes Jenny into believing that she has the gift of healing by the laying on of hands. Disillusionment follows when a vengeful crowd (learning of the deception from Paul's wife, who is present) wrecks one of her meetings; in the confusion, Sarah is killed by a failing beam. Jenny runs away, but is confronted by the mother of a lame child who still insists that she can heal. Jenny prays with the boy and is surprised when he walks a few steps. By this time Paul has tracked her down and, realising he loves her, asks her to return with him.
The immediately obvious flaw in the film is the apparent fact that it begs the question of the nature of faith healing. When the lame child "walks", we don't know if this is a real cure, or just the result of the over-charged emotional, almost hysterical, atmosphere. Similarly, the exact reason for Jenny's inability to talk is glossed over. The question of whether it was hysterical or physical in origin is carefully evaded. In the case of the child, one feels that the next day would bring a return of the affliction.
But I don't know if begging the question is legitimate charge to level at this picture, for it does not claim to be a case study of the psychology of belief. Instead it uses the emotional excesses of evangelism as a back-drop for its love story. From the viewpoint of cinematic technique, there are many satisfying things about It, especially the opening sequences arranged around the titles.
What was mishandled badly later on in The Innocents, here is most effective. With the screen in total blackness, the soundtrack gives us a gradually increasing in volume, amateurishly played version of "Onward, Christian Soldiers." Suddenly, close-ups of ecstatic worshippers and preacher appear on the screen in a long tracking shot. The atmosphere of heat and hysteria is overpoweringly irresistible and the music changes to the handclapping and rhythm that is so close to the roots of jazz. There is a cut suddenly to the closeup of a young man and girl kissing feverishly outside on the grass. This admirably suggests the basis for the exuberance of the worshippers—an abandonment to physical excitement.
Nothing else the director (Paul Wendkos) achieves later in the film quite matches the style of these opening scenes, but he does produce a lot of other deft touches of imagination. For instance, when Paul (George Hamilton) is preaching about Delilah and Jenny (Salome Jens) is evoking her in a tin-pot charade, the whole tatty scene takes on a deeper significance for Paul and his wife.
Mercedes McCambridge, an actress not seen much since her brilliant performance in All The King's Men (she did have a bit in Giant), is magnificent as Sarah, the ageing and pitiful wife. The scene where she examines her face, cruelly exposed by bright lights, in a too-revealing mirror, her venomous insults hurled at Jenny during their disastrous final meeting, the neurotic agony she is constantly expressing in Biblical quotations—all are moulded into a convincing picture of a tormented woman attempting to find the wrong kind of Salvation in religion.
As Jenny, Salome Jens, a newcomer to films is likeable and quite adequate. She has an attractive (? Tennessee) accent and is a blonde who is not glamorous but has a glow of character in her almost homely features.
The picture's faults (in the sense of technique, that is, rather than such lapses of plausibility as occur in the story itself, e.g., the convenient death of Paul's wife), are the sometimes slipshod editing and George Hamilton's overdependence on his good looks as a substitute for solid acting ability. But even if it is still obviously a cheap film, within its limitations, it is still a most entertaining one.
The projectionist played a record of "The Marriage of Figaro" overture at the wrong speed during interval; an unhappy omen, as it turned out, for the film proper, Mozart, purports to be the story of the last period of the composer's life, during rehearsals for "The Magic Flute" and the composition of the requiem, in
When his wife goes to the spa at Baden for a few months, he has an affair with the girl singing Pamina in the production of the opera supervised by Schikaneder— or so the film would have us believe. Actually, the whole thing is completely preposterous, reducing its story to a treatment of the show-must-go-on formula.
With Oskar Werner as an effiminate-looklng Wolfgang and, surprisingly enough, Nadja Tiller somewhere in the cast (I still don't know which one she was) and with a Schikaneder who looks as though he were a fugitive from Powell and Pressburger's "Tales of Hoffman" the film doesn't have much chance of even looking convincing. The colour is very murky; all the greens and blues come out as a similar shade of aquamarine and the print has been knocked around quite badly. The Vienna Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Hans Swarovsky) has little opportunity of showing what it can do and it is impossible to tell, within this context, just how well Gottlieb Trick, Anton Dermota, Hilda Gueden and Erich Kunz are singing.
There are a couple of fine images at the end (of Mozart's coffin being taken to a pauper's grave) which show some of the artistic sensibility that has been missing from the preceding mess.
This is the Hollywood Bowl! A Hollywood Bowl Programme, played by the Hollywood Bowl Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Felix Slatkin, Alfred Newman, Carmen Dragon and Miklos Rozza. Two Records in Special Album, Capitol Stereo, ABO 8496.
After such over-reaching claptrap as that mentioned above, it is almost pleasant to turn to something which unashamedly aims at undemanding extravert pleasure and achieves it. This two-disc set is handsomely got up in a fancy American printed album, with accompanying booklet and well-illustrated with pictures of the Bowl and its performers. The performances themselves are culled from various records made by the HBSO under the above-mentioned conductors, and range from least inspired (Warsaw Concerto, Spell-bound Concerto) to slightly inspired ( 1812 Overture) as far as the music is concerned, with some old favourites (
The recording is variable but never less than easy to take. (I'll bet the recordings were not made in the bowl itself though!). This would be a good present for someone who likes "good tunes" and aspires to something more cerebral than usually settles into the hit parade but is not yet ready for the "complexities" of Beethovan or Mozart.
Time Further Out. A Blues Suite by The Dave Brubeck Quartet. Coronet KLL
The Brubeck decline continues. In his new album (subtitled "Miro Reflections") the quartet ventures further Into time signatures such as 7/4 and 9/8. Despite his long winded technical explanations on the record sleeve, I refuse to believe that this is an important contribution to jazz. The music is like the sleeve notes, pretentious and boring and could not be more out of keeping with the whimsicality of the Joan Miro painting on the cover. The recording is superlative—a good case of the end not justifying the means.
Films & Records
reviewed by
A.W.E.
Mounting a play is a serious undertaking, requiring a large expenditure of time, money, and energy. Surely the first consideration of a group preparing for such an effort must be whether the results will justify such expenditure. How is it, then, that the Wellington Repertory Theatre can insult its members and audiences with a piece as childish as Book Of The Month by Basil Thomas? How is it possible to find actors and a producer willing to spend hours of rehearsal for such worthless ends? This is a play without characters, a farce without jokes, a torture for cast and audience alike.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I have a hazy recollection that this play first appeared In London about a year ago and was unanimously damned by the critics. If so, what possessed Repertory to choose it? The heart-breaking thing is that, no matter how much effort they exert, the company can only look foolish. It is possible that Brian Meads, Molly Parton, and John Roberts are quite good actors. From past experience we know that John Gordon is a skilful and experienced producer. The point is that it is impossible to judge any of them by this production, since it calls for nothing but a reasonably lively pace. There is not the least opportunity for subtlety of characterisation or even good comic presentation. There is nothing to extend the producer's imagination—or that of the audience.
New Zealand theatre is notoriously in the doldrums. So long as plays like this are staged there is little hope of building up a large play-going public. Anyone trying this as his first experience of the theatre would almost certainly be seen at the latest Terry Thomas film next evening.
Repertory's plans for the rest of the year are published on the back of the programme. They offer little encouragement. To the best of my knowledge, the only play listed which has any value at all is Peter Schaffer's Five Finger Exercise.
Shakespeare was such a master of stage-craft that any adaptation of his work makes me a little suspicious. I even have a few qualms over orthodox cuts, suspecting that they are an admission of defeat. Modern dress versions of Hamlet give me little twinges of fear, although I acknowledge the validity of the argument that such productions make the play more immediate. You can imagine the reactions of such an incorrigible conservative to rumours that the New Theatre Company was producing The Taming Of The Shrew in wild-west costumes. It sounds too much like the recent American University production of The Tempest set on the planet Uranus
In the event I would probably have been as disturbed as I anticipated, had I not remembered that this was a production for school-children. Wild-west costumes can hardly said to bring the play close to the daily life of the child, but they do bring it closer to his imaginative life. More important still, I had feared that wild-west costumes meant a wild-west setting, but in fact the induction made it plain that the costumes had been accidentally brought by a drunken props manager and the action still took place in Padua. The costumes were merely one part of a zany and very amusing production.
Charles Marowitz (author of The Method as Means) has been arguing in English journals for some years that modern Shakespearean productions are too "operatic." People go to see the balcony scene as they go to hear "Celeste Aida," forgetting its relationship to the whole. Judging by this production. Nola Millar agrees, for emphasis is on farce and action, while the sound of the words is largely neglected. This is successful as an experiment and, in particular, with the most farcical of Shakespeare's plays in a production aimed at schoolchildren, but its danger in general practice need hardly be mentioned.
The use of the auditorium for some of the action reminds one of experiments like Carmino Real, The Connection, and Joseph Musaphia's free. This appears to be one of the theatre's answers to the cinema and T.V., and certainly gives an exhilarating sense of audience participation. Although it is so successful in the intimacy of the University's new theatre, one wonders how well it worked in the school halls and gymnasiums where the company has been playing.
On its self-chosen level of sheer entertainment this was an excellent production. Its faults were many and obvious, but the producer cunningly made them unimportant and it sounds like carping to mention them. Muffed lines, and even weak characterisation matter little, compared with pace and plenty of action in this sort of performance. The analysis of individual performances would also be irrelevant since this was a team effort, but Russell Duncan, Hilary Grimshaw, Anton Low, and Peter Vere-Jones all acted well.
In short, what the company lacked in professional polish it amply compensated in gaiety and amateur enthusiasm. As I left the hall I heard somebody say, "I enjoyed It more than the Old Vic." So did I.
The disarmament talks in Geneva continue their abortive way with proposal and counter-proposal effectively ensuring that no real progress will be made. Why should it?
To be a major power in the world political scene, a nation must have adequate manpower, an expanding and virile economy, and military strength. Take away any one of these three and a country rapidly becomes a second-rate power. This is amply demonstrated by the decline of the United Kingdom and France and the relative ineffectiveness of India in the world political scene. It would seem, therefore, that the disarmament talks in Geneva were doomed before they began; for obviously neither of the two major powers will risk a decline in their power position.
Altruism, it must be remembered, is a motive conspicuous by its absence in international dealings between power blocs. (Witness the recent American refusal to send wheat to China). The feeling that the talks are hopeless is reinforced when one sees the importance of the military and munitions manufacturers in American politics and the increasingly important role of Marshal Malinowsky in the Kremlin.
One glimmer of hope remains: that even these egocentric groups can come to the realisation that none will win an atomic war. Perhaps we are about to enter an era when international power conflict will take a new form—perhaps economic and war as a method of resolving international conflict will at last be abandoned. Anyway, here's hoping . . .
Incidentally, the action of the American Government in refusing to allow wheat to be sent to China is receiving deserved criticism. The U.S. refuses to grant permission for the sale of wheat until the Chinese Government, itself, requests it. Thus, the U.S. reasons, communism can be seen by all people to be a failure. Using this type of logic, one can argue that the reproductive system is a failure as some babies are born malformed.
* * *
Toby Hill, secretary of the New Zealand Waterside Workers' Union up until
When a questioner asked Mr Hill whether or not the unions should more properly be concerning themselves with ensuring an improved standard of living for the mass of the peoples of Asia than attempting to increase their own already large share of the "cake", he received a most evasive reply. When the questioner then went on to suggest that the N.Z. worker should accept a drop in income to help the Asian, Mr Hill's reaction was what one imagines to be the Pope's upon discovering the malicious Presbyterian bathing in his favourite chalice! It seemed to reflect the parochial outlook that Mr Hill had been criticising in his fellow unionists.
Another questioner suggested that the Federation of Labour was acting irresponsibly in claiming a wage rise at the present time and was surprised to receive an emphatic denial. Surely the questioner must realise that, for a socialist, the present parlous state of the country's finances are of little concern. After all, if the country were socialist, then there would be no economic problems, and, secondly, if one can give a little underhand shove to the present teetering system, then well and good. Like it or not, there is a logic in the F.O.L.'s behaviour.
* * *
The intervention of the Army Heads in the Argentine to nullify the electoral successes of the Peronists has been condemned by most Western newspapers. The papers argue that the intervention of the army has destroyed democracy in the Argentine, when it was fighting to emerge from the shadowing period of Peron's dictatorship. The absurdity of this argument is clear when one realises that the Peronists were banned from participation in the previous elections. I am sorry to spell it out, but clearly democracy cannot exist when one political group is banned. It is not democracy that has been destroyed; the Army has merely acted to ensure that the privileges of the large landowners and capitalists will continue to be protected from the workers and peasants.
Students paraded in front of the White House recently to protest against nuclear weapon testing. They were a symbol of active ferment in Universities throughout the United States.
The principal barrier to greater activity, most leaders say, is apathy. Most undergraduates now, as in the past, seem more interested in their studies and sports than in the expression of Idealogical or moral concepts.
According to Roger Loeb, editor of the student newspaper at Wisconsin University, students reflect the inertia of the public which is in a state of "unhealthy and un-wholesome schizophrenia."
The Student Peace Union is seeking to arouse students and make their voices heard in the world debate on disarmament.
This is its stated purpose:
"The Student Peace Union is an organisation of young people who believe that war can no longer be successfully used to settle international disputes and that neither human freedom nor the human race can endure in a world committed to militarism.
"Without committing any member to a precise statement of policy the S.P.U. draws together young people for a study of alternatives to war and engages in education and action to end the present arms race. The S.P.U. works towards a society which will suffer no individual or group to be exploited by another.
"After years of bad faith shown by both East and West in disarmament negotiations, the S.P.U. believes that to be effective any peace movement must act independently of the existing power blocs and must seek new and creative means of achieving a free and peaceful society."
The union was originated two years ago at the University of Chicago. It now has 1,200 paying members from New York to California.
The White House picketing and the San Fransisco—Moscow peace march have been two most spectacular and publicised efforts of this union. These, however, have been fairly minor activities. Both groups are busy organising new campus chapters and publishing national magazines.
These magazines will be available at Vic. soon.
Other students acting independently have sent letters to President Kennedy. An Eastern college group stated: "It Is apparent that whatever military advantages are gained from tests, they are far out-weighed by the harmful effects they produce."
The group deplored the irreparable harm to mankind that tests could engender.
The student movement against war is not widespread as yet. The Student Peace Union is only one of two national groups attempting to organise American students to take an active part in the campaign against war.
The student division of the Committee for a Sane Nuclear Policy (Student-Sane) with an estimated membership between two and three thousand is the other national group.
The Combined Universities campaign for nuclear disarmament in Canada also has 7,000 members.
Both the S.P.U. and Student Sane have been accused of being Communist fronts, though neither organisation is on the Attorney General's list of subversive organisations.
All officers of the S.P.U. are unpaid volunteers, though a few draw a meagre subsistence allowance of about $10 a month. None of the leaders of these organisation have any illusions that they are going to change the world's thinking overnight, but feel it is worthwhile to "go on record showing how we feel."—
A well-chosen collection of slides prepared from materials specially sent out from Italy for the purpose by the speaker—the wife of the Italian Minister to New Zealand: the Duchess Capece Galeota della Regina—admirably brought alive to students of the history department last Monday, the background and striking personality of Isabella d'Este, Marchesa di Mantova (
A fine place in Lambton Quay between the Cable Car and Whitcombe&Tombs. The best range of dresses and coats In town, attractively displayed.
About half-way along Willis Street. Very smooth-flowing silent wool for knitting during lectures. Muffled needles sold. Seriously though, specialists, with the best range of plys and colours In town.
At 48a Manners Street a co-operative bookshop. Buying a single share (£1) entitles you to 10% discount on all titles for life. Gorman, Spanish, French and Hussion. Any book ordered from anywhere in the world—delay about two months.
At 102 Lambton Quay, Phone 43-910. Religious books of all descriptions, e.g., theological, devotional, church history — and children's.
54 The Terrace, Carry a Complete Range of Student Books in Commerce and Law. Price Lists Available on Request.
(University Booksellers and Stationers) Lambton Quay, Wellington.
For the most complete range of Text Books. Discounts available to Students for Text Book Purchases.
Comes a degree. Comes a wife, child and bank account. Get in early with a BNZ cheque account. Pay by cheque. Get the record of your statement. Control your spending.
A network covered by trams, diesel buses and trolley buses, will take you anywhere in the City. Timetables can be procured at the Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place Terminals at 6d. per copy. The sightseeing tours are truly remarkable and will make you familiar with the terrain of Wellington. Telephone 42-719 for further information.
(Witcombe & Caldwell)
Half-way along Willis Street. Long-standing connection with University sport. Every one of Vic's twenty-four sports cats red for here. All contingencies provided for.
Nearest to the University, on the corner of Willis and Manners Streets. Many like the Back Bar. Never too crowded and comfortably twilit. Handy to eating places. Red Band Draught, drawn from a refrigerated tank room.
16, The Terrace. Phone 42-095. Angle-poise lamps. drawing instruments, precision slide rules, etc. Serving science for over 70 years, Watvic offers students the most comprehensive range of scientific equipment.
In the T. & O. Building, opp. Cable Car Lane. A most handy shop with the usual range of soaps, cosmetics, ointments and soothing balms. Prompt prescription service.
In 10 Willis Street above S. P. Andrew's, near Stewart Dawson's Corner. Hair styles for girls. Highly individual attention and plenty of fashion ideas.
At No. 3 Ballance Street, in the Maritime Building. Wholesale wine and spirit people. Vintners to Students' Assn. Especially of interest are their sweet and dry sherry sold in flagons, which go well at a party. Also red and white dry table wines at 6/-. Minimum order 2 gallons.
Orientation Week is under attack!
Remarks overheard around the Universities tend to support a week of revision in the basic fundamentals of each subject before official lectures begin, and during the week in which the Social occasions which mark the start of a new academic year are held. Those who support this idea say that it will help freshers in settling in if they work with material familiar to them for the first week, to allow them to get back into the habit of working to their own timetable.
Say the proposers that too many students find the first week at Varsity a mystery in many respects. They tire themselves out at the Social activities, and are unable to take In all the new work shown them in lectures. The transition between secondary school and Varsity is so abrupt according to the Revision weekers, that most of the work covered in the first three weeks is lost, and has to be learnt again later in the year, on the part of both students and staff than would be used in the week used for revision.
Opponents of the idea say that the staff and students find it hard enough keeping up to standard in their subjects in the short time allotted to them during the year, without having another week taken from them.
They also contend that such an arrangement would give to freshers the mistaken idea that Varsity is "just like school," and, they say, this could be very damaging to a student's study pattern.
Whether this view ever gets beyond the student's common rooms is a debatable point, but, if it did, it might greatly help, or greatly hinder our students.
The thirty-odd strip joints and countless little bars in the area round Bourbon, Royal and Canal Streets in New Orleans, seem mostly to be dedicated to taking down the tourist. They religiously make the bus tours to gape at the strippers and have their pictures and money taken at the famous night clubs.
Traditionally the birthplace of jazz, New Orleans today offers very little of the genuine music for visitors. In the whole Bourbon Street area, I found only four places where an approximate version of the real down-home jazz band can be heard.
There the drinks are mainly water, the atmosphere is noisy, hot and crowded and the "jazz" Is the plebeian sound typified by Pete Fountain and Al Hirt.
Because of the invidious role of black clown that many of negro jazzmen have been forced to assume in New Orleans may of them have migrated, and a lot have simply stopped playing. Big Negro bands like those of Armstrong and Ory rarely return to New Orleans. They are barred from performing in the local Town Hall because of their race.
It has been left to a small group of stalwarts who stoutly defend the integrity of the tradtional New Orleans idiom to maintain and improve the standard of local music. A couple of the old clubs—the Paddock and the Famous Door—have done their best. These clubs are up against the popular tourist spots.
In the Paddock the music is hot and strong; led by a raucous, Rabelaisian tailgate trombone and a sweet, lyrical clarinet. At the Famous Door, the band features Sweet Emma, a crone with fingers like talons and bells on her wrists and ankles which jingle in time as she pounds out blues on the piano and sings in a surprisingly youthful, husky voice.
But Emma, and the Paddock's clarinetist are both over sixty, typifying the advanced age of most of the jazzmen around the city.
Around the corner in St. Peter's Street, next to a very loud and garish tourist trap, is Preservation Hall, where the average age of the musicians is usually over 60. These are mostly men who quit playing commercially in the early '30s, when the depression hit the South, and more especially, the negro. They continued working as busboys and porters until the management of the Hall ferreted them out. The Hall is a couple of bare rooms facing onto the street. In one you sit in folding chairs or on the floor and listen to jazz. In the other there is folk-music—blues guitar, usually played by young white students.
In both places there is no entrance fee—the audience just tosses in a contribution when the hat is passed around. Here the music is genuine and happy: everybody stomps and claps, and the band personnel shifts around as they fire.
The night I was there the band playing was Kid Roberts and his Original Papa Celestin Tuxedo Dixieland Ramblers.
There is a considerable interest taken by local white guitarists in the blues guitar—a resurgence of which is evident all over the country. Suddenly a market has developed for Broonzy, John Lee Hooker and Sonny Terry. Bill Roberts, a guitarist I talked to at the Hall, had a twelve-string guitar like the one Leadbelly used to play, but said it was a bit of sentimentality on his part. As soon as the old-time negro singers made any money, they bought electric guitars. In some cases the results have been disastrous.
John Hooker's records with electric guitar are excruciatingly bad examples of tone control. But it would be wrong to say that it is a complete mistake. Some of the rhythm-and-blues groups that play locally over the radio sing fierce gospel blues and yet their instruments and rhythm structures are essentially the same as in the emasculated R.&B. we get in New Zealand.
The negro seems to have gone back to his basics in New Orleans—a more updated version of the original popular negro music. You can hear echoes of the field hollers and the ring shouts in the music of Ray Charles or the Drifters, and here again they may find a music that does not relegate them to the position of clowns—a role which has not been fashionable among the negroes of America since the Jazz Age of the 20s.
"There are Philosophers at the Bottom of Our Garden"
I read with pleasure that our visiting Yogi appeared on stage "accompanied by a red rose." Cheers! He's one of us, it seems.
You won't understand me, for you probably haven't visited our newly decorated Philosophy Department. To get there, you must leave the hurly-burly of Kirk, Hunter and Easterfleld, and cross the parade to the inconspicuous gate of No. 38. if you are not in a hurry (and philosophers never are), you may stroll up the path midst rose blooms of deepest red. Fellow philosophers will agree what better stimulus for an afternoon lecture than a piquant whiff from freshly opened buds, against a healthy backdrop of damp earth and moss.
Of course, it would have to be the Philosophy Department. Can you imagine a palaeontologist, etymologyst, economist, or mathematician enjoying, or even noticing, a modest rose. (Nice fellows, no doubt, but not a scrap of sentiment).
And we scent-imbibing philosophers are in good company. Lewis Carroll, a distinguished logician in his time, comes to mind as one who recognised the place of flowers in life's curriculum. Perhaps we should take a spell from Stage III one day, and whitewash a few buds, in memory of Alice's famous adventures in the rose gardens "through the looking-glass." (Better still, a Mad Hatter's tea party would just about hit the right spot at 3.10 p.m.).
A. A. Milne, no less a thinker (in my view), tells of the dormouse ". . . who lived in a bed, of delphiniums (blue) and geraniums (red)." Another advocate of floral gratification.
"O blest seclusion from a jarring world" wrote Cowper, with gardening in mind. And even if my secondary school education was inadequate, it has at least left me with a strong hunch that Wordsworth at some time or other found spring bulbs (recollected in tranquility) a ready relief, when his pensive moods came on badly.
We philosophers find this too, though our moods may be more often "vacant" than "pensive" A few minutes spent with the roses, and we are ready to face anything. Could I suggest that other departments seriously consider going "the garden way" too. Even Maths., on Easterfield 6th, could at least try window-boxes of alpine daisies. (Ultra) violets are an obvious suggestion for Physics, and maybe a few "forget-me-nots" would help in the Classics Dept. (All those irregular verbs, you know). "Cineraria" sounds like a choice for the Little Theatre, and "Sweet William" might not be inappropriate for the Phys. Ed. Dept. I'm sure you will think of others.
Shall we not supplement the old established Ivy with pot-plants and shrubs at every turn. We might then achieve fame for our fastgrowing, fee-consuming Victoria— New Zealand's only "Conservatoire" perhaps. Why not? After all, what University by any other name could swell less cheaply?
In recent years the Students Association has provided a list of available accommodation for students looking for accommodation. When the appointment of a Managing Secretary for the Student Union was being discussed it was suggested that this service might be one of his responsibilities. Soon after my arrival at the University, I agreed to take over the accommodation service for 1962.
The Students Association had a list of some 60 addresses of landlords prepared to take students. During the period November 1961 to the end of February 1962, this list was enlarged to 236 addresses (see Table 1 in appendix). Addresses were obtained by telephoning landlords who advertised in the newspapers and by advertising for accommodation on 5 nights and 3 mornings in the Wellington newspapers during the period January 26 to February 24.
Lists of addresses of available accommodation were issued to students together with a brief description of the accommodation, but no accommodation was inspected before it was included on these lists. Students were warned that the accommodation was not necessarily suitable for students and that they should inspect this accommodation before making final arrangements with the landlord. (An example of the lists is shown in the appendix). 158 students were supplied with these lists; 67 students wrote asking for help with accommodation and 91 students enquired at the Student Union for accommodation. In the case of three overseas students, accommodation was found for them so that they would have somewhere to live on arrival in New Zealand.
During February, approximately 200 addresses had vacancies, so that the number of vacancies exceeded the number of students enquiring for accommodation. However, since the addresses had not been inspected, it is not safe to assume that sufficient accommodation of an adequate standard and type is available for our students.
From the experience gained this year a further development of the services appears necessary. The addresses given to students should be inspected and graded according to suitability of the accommodation to the needs of University students. In finding accommodation for the three overseas students, a number of addresses were inspected and found to be either completely unsuitable or only suitable in view of the shortage of accommodation.
A study of the 236 addresses we have at the moment shows that shared rooms are much more common than single rooms (87 addresses are for single rooms or single rooms in a shared flat, whereas 149 addresses are for shared rooms see Table 3 of appendix). The basis for grading the accommodation should include some measure of the minimum size which could be considered large enough for a shared room, together with minimum requirements for furniture in rooms where students are living and studying.
Table 2 in the appendix shows the number of addresses offering full board or bed and breakfast. With the Student Union Dining Room open during term time till 6.30 p.m., full board is no longer necessary for a student who is looking for accommodation and who does not wish to cook his own meals.
Yes, we're back—fully relaxed, rested, improved, refreshed, uninhibited, and otherwise purged. And so you missed the first Little Congress of the year?
I hope you eventually emerge from your abyss of shame and come to full recognition of your folly and form a firm resolution Never again to repeat the error in the event of future opportunities.
All who had the sense to come, enjoyed a weekend of glorious sunshine, continuous social activity (especially during the nocturnal hours), plenty of rest and recreation, excellent food for thought (and for the body—thanks to Tony Pointon, Steve O'Regan and the few who helped them). Thanks also to Keren Clark for her very able organisation.
The new S.C.M. chaplain, the Rev. Dickson was a welcome guest —all the various elements of a university were well represented. There were four guest speakers whose competent and interesting lectures were enjoyed by all. The panel on Saturday night provoked considerable audience reaction.
The third talk was given by Dr. Erich Geiringer, who is well known for a number of things (quote from "Critic" Otago University Newspaper). There had been considerable speculation as to what this somewhat unorthodox ex-lecturer from Otago University would speak on, but I don't think anyone could have anticipated a novel discussion on "The Four Seasons."
Dr. Geiringer was born in Austria, and from his experience in that country and in New Zealand he discussed the effect of the mental and physical adjustment necessitated by seasons on the lives of people in such countries as are considerably affected.
Occasionally there would be a digression in the form of charming recollections from Dr. Geiringer's memories of his own childhood— the delight of playing with autumn leaves in the fall or the joy occasioned by the discovery of the first spring flower in the snow. His style of speaking was simple and conversational.
The talk was immediately followed by the panel discussion of questions submitted earlier in the day.
There was, of course, the usual run of amusing (or otherwise!) incidents which always seem to occur when a large crowd of un0 predictable individuals gather together with the avowed intention of enjoying concentrated activity within a short space of time. The considerable delay of the official transport bus on Friday night and the considerable delay of tea on Saturday night due to some irresponsible lunatic turning off all the ovens were definitely "otherwise."
More amusing incidents involved the altercation over the flogged flagon on Friday night, the intrepid bathing beauty team who braved the icy waters of the Otaki river, the Bacchite-dancing of Ros and Ian on the moonlit lawn, the inevitable Con O'Leary demonstrations, the bearded baby beatniks who were shaping up well, Fludie (need one be more explicit), the juvenile morons who climbed trees and swang on swings and attempted to twist, the persistent jazz and bridge fans who weren't to be distracted from their innocent past-times, the abortive altar-sacrifice (due to lack of enthusiasm from prospective "voluntary" victims), the other Ian's Wayne-Schuster exhibition in Hut 5, the steady pilfering, bribing for, inveigling or otherwise acquiring of apples and toast and chocolate biscuits from the kitchen—all these contributed to make Little Congress No. 3 a most memorable weekend intellectually, socially, physically (and spiritually?).—C.B.
The weight of glass made each year is equal to the weight of steel produced. So said Mr Barbour, in his address and demonstration on glass blowing to The Chemical Society recently.
The two best types of glass for working with are pirex and monex. Mainly pirex is used at Victoria, where he is the official University glass blower, but he thinks monex is a better type of glass, mainly because it is made in Scotland. Mr Barbour is a Scotsman. Both monex and pirex were brands of a new type of glass developed by the Americans called Borosylicate, which unlike the old solar glass, was more resistant to heat. Its chief disadvantage being its very high melting point.
Basically glass blowing consisted of heating a length of glass tubing to the required temperature, on a coal gas and oxygen flame, and while it was plastic, changing its shape by bending or blowing. All glass for blowing purposes is marketed in tubes, varying in size from 3mm to 100 mm in diameter.
In his demonstration, Mr Barbour make a corrugation and a constriction in a piece of tubing, a U tube, a thistle funnel, a condensor and a bulb. He then showed a variety of glassware he had made at Victoria. About 45 members attended the meeting.
The next meeting of the Chemical Society will be held on April 18 in Easterfield Building. The subject will be "Forensic Toxicology." A lecture by Dr P. P. Lynch, Pathologist to the New Zealand Government. Anyone interested is welcome.
There are two parts to the duties of Rev. John Murray, our new chaplain.
As Student Chaplain and counsellor, he is available to all students, for assistance in all matters, not necessarily just religious ones. He is also Technical Consultant to the religious organisations.
Mr Murray was appointed by the National Council of Churches and represents all the Protestant Churches. He is definitely not attached to just one particular religious group in the University.
After obtaining an M.A. at Otago and another at Cambridge (where he married), he settled in Taihape. There he was Minister in the Presbyterian Church until his appointment to the University. As well as being Chaplain to the University, Mr Murray will serve the Teachers' Training College also.