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"New Zealand university students are politically, morally and intellectually timid," said
Alister was speaking to a meeting of Te Rangatahi last weekend, on the subject of "Student Power."
"They don't have many basic beliefs and what little do believe in they're usually not prepared to fight for," he said.
"Few students are prepared to sacrifice their future careers, degree-success or personal relations for improving the stagnant educational and university system. the level of political debate and politicians, or pressing for what they believe is right.
Alister criticised the political influences which are evident in the university system in New Zealand, especially the "ridiculous system of the Governor-Genera making appointments to University Councils."
He also criticised the materialistic approach to university education prevalent in New Zealand and which extended to students themselves.
"Many students even accept Mr Muldoon's nonsense that the university system must be 'cost-effective' and that any subject which doesn't bring an economic return should be sub-ordinated to those which do," he said.
23-year-old law student Jamie Wedderspoon, whose photograph corresponds with that of Paul J. Wedderspoon, has announced his candidature for the Democratic Labour Party in Dunedin North at the T969 elections.
"There is no tradition of academic freedom in our universities. There have been many cases of discrimination, political and other.
"Few universities have stood up for their basic rights," he said. "Why do Students allow this to happen?"
Alister suggested that the universities are "too integrated into the community. They receive public money and want the community to appreciate them."
"The students and universities should think enough of themselves and not have to pander to what they consider the public likes The university well-established institution and of undoubtedly community benefit."
In New Zealand the university has developed into a "meal-ticket obtaining device because it has been dependent on government funds and control of the university has been vested in the hands of people who don't know what the words 'university' and 'learning' mean."
Universities were becoming increasingly under the authority of the administrator.
"What do 'administrators' know about how a university should be run?' Our univsities act.for, and on behalf of the 'system'," he said. "They have no tradition of independence and little wish to obtain it.
"The whole education process is shaped so as to breed conformity and respect for authority." he said. "It discourages the creation, development. and expression of different views.
"
"The educational system is tightly organised and depends for us continued existence on remaining so organised.
"The people who come to our universities arc usually the conformist, conservative and timid products of our educational system, although very occasionally there may be a freak," said Alister.
"Students don't know how comparatively bad their working conditions are. He cited library conditions, decreases in staff standards and low bursaries.
"And what are the student leaders doing about it? In most universities they're doing nothing because the student executives have become areas where those wanting a political career, or power, or expression of their egos, go.
"They rarely act in the interests of students generally —they are petty bureaucrats who love playing petty politics.
"In some cases, members of Students' Association executives are trying to do something—but over relatively minor matters. The people pressing for student representation or student control of student facilities are simply playing into the hands of the system—in this case the university administration," he said.
"Students have to realise they have considerable power —political and economic. Earlier on this year students were worried about Leven-bach's prices. What did they do? Organised a committee, which immediately failed.
"No one had the guts to force the Caf to close, or boycott it. Even now the student executive doesn't have the right to look at the caterer's books."
Discussing the present student power moves at Victoria. as outlined in an Editorial in Salient 3, Alister said:
"The submissions show a little progress But they are far too cautious. The people who put them up are trying to work within the system— appealing to rational views on the 'other' side.
"I suggest change can only occur through a drastic restructuring of the present university and educational system.
"It is no good increasing student representation on university councils and other bodies, even though it may be by direct election. Student representatives, unless they are quite unusual, will defer to the senior people on the committee.
"Changing the system is only possible with revolutionary demands, backed up by a display of political power. The message must he got across to the public which will force the Government to act.
"At Victoria there has been no display of political force Those who want greater student power mustn't be prepared to compromise with the other side. They must show they have political power—use it. bring the university administration to their knees, and dictate the terms of settlement.
"Conditions for insurrection must be prepared," said Alister. "Students must be made aware of the bad conditions that prevail. To some extent these conditions must even be created in order to create awareness of the existing conditions.
"Action must be the first thing.
"Student grievances have to be exploited ruthlessly by a small vanguard. A basis has to be found for demanding increased student power. The issue to 'some extent have to be created. The university administration has to be made into a 'faceless monster'."
"Here is a chance for members of the public to see what students are really like," said Education Officer
For too long, she said, the "beardie-weirdie layabout" image has prevailed among New Zealanders.
Yet for every student who fits this image, there are 100 who spend most of their time studying for the qualifications which will make them useful to soicety.
So, in an attempt to present a more balanced view of what it means to go to University, the Students' Association, together with the University administration, have organised this second annual Open day.
Salient welcomes the strangers at Vic today. A programme of today's events will be found in Newsheet on page eleven.
If you want Salient mailed fo you at home. mail us a dollar and your name and address.
The aim is to show the experience of an ordinary student in a normal working day, Candy continued.
It is also an opportunity for those who will soon be coming to University to get the "feel" of the place.
"While we have arranged many special events and displays, along with guided tours,'' Candy said, "it is my hope that visitors will take the trouble to become familiar with the everyday and the commonplace."
Students spend most of their time at lectures or in the library and she wouldn't like the public to think of University as a continual round of debates, film shows and hunny-eating contests.
"So please do take the chance to sit in on an ordinary lecture," Candy urged.
A tremendous amount of work has gone into organising
Open Day and she wishes to thank all those who have helped.
But she has no doubt some things could have been done better and hopes visitors will write to the student newspaper, Salient.
"Let's hear all your cheers and groans about Open Day -and about students," Candy concluded
Salient's Association Reporter,
Rhys, whose resignation takes effect on June 13, told Salient:
I was interested to read the criticism levelled against me by Mr Phelps in last week's Salient.
One expects a reasonable degree of objectivity in reports of Executive proceedings and criticism is always warranted where it will prove constructive.
However, I feel Mr Phelps' remarks were . . . no more than a personal and prejudiced attack on myself.
It was very noble of Mr Phelps, who holds no official position on Executive, to allow me "another chance' regarding Open Day.
However, in view of the scathing tone of his column. Mr Phelps' remark seems to be only a patronizing gesture.
"The one thing which holds the Cook Islands political system as is, is the charisma of one man—
"The election did not rest on important issues such as land tenure, the new airport, or the social effects of tourism, but on
"It was either 'We like
Describing Cook Islands politics on the basis of his recent trip there to study the election and the political situation, Mr Haas, a political Science Honours student said:
"Fear of the social effects of tourism is in the minds, but not on the lips, of many important people in the Cooks.
"The Prime Minister,
"Certain leaders are also ready to forego their uneasiness publicly, to get financial benefits. This is a field which should be very closely studied."
"We don't want the Cooks to become like Tahiti" was a frequent comment, but
"The Cooks want what they call 'controlled tourism'," said Mr Haas, "but it is not clear how this will work "
"
"There are fears also for the female teenage population," he said: "The Cook Island Government hopes to entice older people to go to the Cooks as tourists."
Tourism would also aggravate the shortage of labour which is already considerable because of the high level of migration.
There are about 20,000 Cook Islanders in the Cooks, and 10,000 (through both migration and the high reproductive rate) in New Zealand.
"The young people are dissatisfied with the sober life in the Cooks," said Mr Haas. "They are attracted by the so called bright lights of Auckland, where there are now 8000."
Tourism to the Cooks, and perhaps migration to New Zealand, could be greatly accelerated when the $6.3 million New Zealand financed jet airport is completed, he said.
"Within about 10 years New Zealand will have regained the capital cost of the airport and will make about $2 million profit a year on it, and this was the attraction for New Zealand as a long-term investment.
"If it comes there will be regular aircraft in and out," he said.
"This may lead to the opening up of large scale airfreighting.
"For instance, fresh fruit and flowers could form the basis of a very big trade with Auckland and it could develop and provide.good profits.
"I hope that all the entrepreneurs will not be New Zealanders, but I suspect this will be so."
Virginia Edmonds, a number of the National Affairs Committee, has accused National Affairs Officer
She say Dave called a meeting of the committee on one day's notice and, "in spite of inconvenience" and breaking a prior engagement, she want to Executive Room at the advertised time to find the meeting had been put forward half an hour and was being held in a different place.
Virginia said she did not see how it was possible for committee members to take account of Dave's re-arrangements when they would not know of them till after the event.
"I should like to protest in the strongest possible terms," said Virginia, adding that she the the incident as an example of the casual treatment by members of the Executive of thos to whom it is responsible".
Tomorrow Conrad Bollinger is to speak on "Left Wing Traditions at Victoria University".
"His talk will be based on his own experience in the late 40's and early 50's, when anti-Fascist feelings were still strong at the universary," said
Closer student contact with Government research laboratories could be one way to stop the drain of New Zealand Ph.D. graduates to foreign posts, Dr
Fundamental research could be done by graduates in government departments, he said at a panel discussion on careers in maths and physics, chaired by Mr
Government contracts could be given for the research needed in the fields of agriculture, biology and natural phenomena.
Manufacturing research and analysis in industry is an area for maths and physics graduates, said Mr
"Science serves industry, industry docs not serve science," he added.
Teaching maths and physics in secondary schools provides opportunities for graduates, and a degree ensures rapid promotion, said Mr
Prof.
A giant new building for the Biological Sciences is soon to be erected on campus.
The Biology departments, at present crammed into the Kirk Building, will then have five times as much space for teaching and research.
It will rise between the Kirk Building and Kelburn Parade and will extend lengthwise from close to Easterfield down to the Administration Drive.
In addition, a three-storey laboratory wing with a plaza roof will extend backward between Hunter and Kirk to the Student Union Building.
Innovations include live animal rooms, constant temperature and refrigeration rooms, photographic studios and darkrooms, tank rooms, aquaria, radiation laboratories, extensive technicians' workshops, an autopsy room, a herbarium and an insectory.
There will be a Biological Sciences Library and a Museum, and two large windowless air-conditioned lecture halls similar to those in the new Lecture Block.
All senior staff will have small, fully-equipped research laboratories attached to their studies.
A special feature will be horse-shoe shaped graduate teaching laboratories fitted with projection equipment.
Tenders are being called for now and it is anticipated that the building will be ready for use in 1971.
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Those perspective souls who fell something was amiss in the continuity of the
At 1 a.m. on the morning of publication, our little-e-ed learnt (once again) of the resignation of the subject of the story. A hurried toll call to Wanganui resulted in the arbitrary insertion of the news, plonk on top of the odd paragraph or two. In case it wasn't noticed, the quote after the insertion belonged to Rhys.
To insert copy in Salient 8 hours before arrival in Wellington is something of a record.
Thanks to a great berk of a President who could have told us 7 hours earlier; and didn't.
Notice how the NZBC kept us well-informed on the night of the Kennedy asassination.
All those luvverly. up-to-the-minute reports.
Well, the little man in the overseas newsroom at Broadcasting House was monitoring about 10 US programmes. Said he couldn't take time out to write a report because he might have missed something.
The Student's Association has turned the Activities Rooms into a Baby Bureau! It's only for Open Day though. Any members of the public with children, or student mothers can leave their children at the Bureau white they look around the University. And any Students who would like help, come along too.
The British Board of Film censors on the banning of "The Seashell and the Clergyman" (France 1928): "It is so obscure as to have no apparent meaning. If there is a meaning, it is doubtless objectionable."
Prof. Munz has a pleasant habit of orally demolishing students who talk in his lectures. He did this last week, regurgatating a splendid array of epithets.
The Prof, then found the object of his ire. scuffling feet in the back row, was a red-faced History staff member.
"The crying need everywhere is for leadership by men and women of wisdom and vision, conviction and courage: practical idealists," said Dr
"Not just those who wish to bask in the glare of publicity at whatever cost, but those who are realists.
"We want our higher educational institutions to produce such leaders."
Dr Malasekera was opening the 10th Asian Regional Consultation and Seminar at Colombe on May 13th President
Student demonstrations had an important place in both history and society, Dr malasekera said.
"But violent student demonstration where students overturn buses, set fire to trains, attack policemen and destroy public property and where lives have sometimes been lost, is a new phenomenon."
"In university campuses students arc agitating for more freedom to organise their own affairs, obtain greater participation in university administration and be identified with world problems with a sense of maturity and responsibility.
"In this pari of the world we believe in the efficacy of non-violence to solve our problems," he said. "We believe that violence is self-defeating in its purposes.
"To us, discipline is not blind obedience to laws and rules imposed from outside, but enlightened self-restraint which comes from learning and spiritual development."
Questioning rather than offering answers, Dr Malasekera said, "When we express concern about student unrest we should ask ourselves, what do we want our college Students to do, if anything, during their student days beyond academic work and social play?
"We all regard a university education with great respect because it brings with it a powerful social advantage as well as a long-range money-earning advantage.
"But many who want their sons and daughters to profit by higher education and the university to make them work hard, do not put troublesome and controversial ideas into their heads.
"If trouble-making professors go about trading questionable ideas, the students had better help them in their notebooks and not start experimenting with them."
Methods for better representation of student views are being studied.
"The ability of the executive to adequately represent students on international matters has often been questioned," said
"The solution, it is said, is direct democracy whereby all interested students may express their views to make association international policy.
One method of achieving this would be the establishment of a student council or senate with students elected annually on a faculty basis.
"Such a council could decide association policy on national and educational issues as well as purely international matters.
"The relationship between any council and the present form of executive would be a vital matter.
"The question of final responsibility for financial and administrative decisions raises acutely the problems faced by any organisation which needs to delegate these powers.
"The desirability of a student council or senate is being investigated by a committee set up by the Association's Annual General Meeting.
"This Committee will hold a meeting on Tuesday, 11th June, at 7.30 p.m. in the Executive Room. All interested persons are invited."
Professor
He gained his MSc at Otago, doctorate at London and had lectured for some years at Canterbury and the University College Ibadan, Nigeria, before taking up his position at Victoria in 1965.
During his time here Professor England was responsible for studies and research of many students who have since gained high positions in New Zealand and overseas. Dr Carr, also of our Chemistry Department, studied under him for many years.
In addition to research work Professor England enjoyed lecturing, especially to stage one students. He strongly supported the introduction of the more modern and innovatived principles of chemistry at present being developed in New Zealand and other countries.
The drive for higher and more extensive bursaries for post-graduate work in chemistry, too, always had the Professor's support.
He was responsible for much of the chemical equipment acquired during his 13 years at Victoria, and helped the firm establishment of teaching and research in physical chemistry. .
Professor England will be remembered by students and lecturers alike for the high degree of interest he always showed both in those he taught and in university life.
"Forum audiences are very apathetic," said Gerard Currie. This was his reason for winding up last week's Forum—after only 45 minutes—with an appeal for more spontaneous speakers.
Gerard, this year's Forum controller, said Forum had degenerated since its institution in 1964.
Students have become too used to it and the novelty has worn off.
Towards the end of the first term the time for Forum was changed from Tuesday to Wednesday, for three weeks.
None of the Wednesday Forums was successful—the first because of the anti- and pro-Seato student marches and others because of clashes with previously arranged attractions.
Recently Forum has been ending earlier by 15 to 20 minutes.
"It is disappointing," said Gerard, "that the varsity mind is not as fertile as it used to be."
He was unable to suggest any means of rejuvenating Forum. Any attempt such as introducing outside speakers, would end those features of Forum which made it unique.
People go expecting the audience to rubbish everything speakers say, said Gerard.
"They go to be entertained rather than to contribute."
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News from the meeting of June 4; the longest of the year at five hours. Want of a quorum of eight (out of 15 members) caused a break in proceedings for a quarter-hour or so early on.
* * *
Executive was told the Wanganui City Council, on the recommendation of Its works committee, had decided to ban all future sales in the streets of capping magazines. President Doug White was directed to write to the City Council asking for reasons.
* * *
Publications Officer
* * *
First tentative steps were taken in unravelling the cultural clubs grants snafu, Grants ranging from $25 to $87 were made so the Maths and Physics Society, E.U., Visual Arts' Society, Biological Society, Chess Club and Philosophical Society. An application from the Music Society for about $400 was deferred owing to its size.
* * *
A loan of $83 was made to the Political Science Society, conditional upon Finance Committee approval of wine-and-cheese evening budgets. Exec also made clear it would make no further payments to the society for losses on the evenings. Society President Alan Jenkins had earlier explained that its debts were the result of "the callow youthfulness" of one committee member and "the irresponsibility" of another.
* * *
A motion was carried congratulating Men's Vice-President
* * *
Noting the approach of the annual Executive election in the last fortnight of the second term, Doug White moved that
* * *
Social Officer
* * *
An inter-hostel committee was set up consisting of the Accommodation Committee Chairwoman and two representatives from each hostel.
* * *
Public Relations Officer
* * *
Quote of the evening, from President White: "I am sick and tired of people keeping on talking when I call for order."
* * *
Exec will meet again Monday, June 17.
It seems to be fashionable, in university circles, to be cynical, sceptical, despairing and nihilistic. An increasingly large number of people define everything as intrinsically absurd and their actions show a similar obsession with the absurdity in life.
They throw Camus at you as being the founder of their school (an honour I think Camus would probably take great exception to) and feel that, to keep the absurd flag flying, they must leap on to the non-existent, but always present, absurd bandwaggon. They define the university, world, other people and themselves as absolutely meaningless.
Then they shout out against the apathy of students, indifference of students and the need for student power. Some of these people are on the Executive of this establishment not because they think that Exec has more meaning than the rest of the university but, because they want to be involved in the absurdity of things in order to convince themselves that their initial diagnosis is right.
Some belong to the literary society and write absurd poetry and absurd literature for those who want to read absurd words. Some of them are involved in the movement agitating for civil rights not because they believe in civil rights but because they want to attack the establishment and other purveyors of meaningless propaganda.
Some of them are involved in the campaign against Mr Levenbach, not because they can't afford to pay for cafe meals but because, if they oppose a man for long enough and nothing happens they feel they have proved that all activity is absurd. Some of them drink in the pub in order to prove that there is no reality behind the counter.
But, whatever activity the defeatist engages in or has engaged in, the cry now is for student power; all power to the Executive, put up barricades in pigeon park, join with the unions and overthrow the Government, down with apathetic students, up with nihilistic, sceptical, cynical students and give them absolute power to see how their egos grow.
All power to the forces of despair,
The religious clubs are also affected by this storm of despairing locusts. Apart from the redoubtable forces of EU (who are too much concerned with individual salvation to be worried about the world) the other religious groups seem to share the nihilism of the "in" group.
Is it true that the atheist society (with renewed ecumenical' spirit) is joining forces with the Anglican society, in an attempt to erase heresies of all kind? Why not infuse student power with religious power and that way ensure the re-emergence of the inquisition?
Everyone, a hearty laugh for these—the consciences of our society, critics who know so much, people who make a point of throwing out babies with bath water, people who are providing the absurd leadership that the university needs so much.
Let us all applaud the constructive efforts of these people to infuse the society with the necessary idealism to arouse it from its contented slumbers. Three cheers for the pooh society.
From this little, big, absurd essay on absurdity one can see that these trend setters in our midst, pot and sex takers, nihilists and pessimists, are, in fact, achieving a great deal that is meaningful in the way of positive ideas for the recreation of our sick society. They are imbuing us all with that crusading spirit which sees where there is a need in the community and does something about it.
They are giving us a positive lead by showing where the student can best use his resources. They are demonstrating with great aplomb the essentially positive role that the university can play in the community.
They agitate for better town-gown relations (it's the best way to get money for absurd halls of residence) and advocate an Open Day for the university so the public can see the absurd in action.
But there are one or two questions I would like to ask them before I would consider leaping on the bandwaggon.
(1) Why do they wander around with their eyes closed and fail to sec that when debunking the debunkable myths they often overlook the people who create them? Why. when they are drinking in the pub, do they not see that their not too distant drinking partners happen to be Samoans, Cook Islanders and potential alcoholics drinking their wages away because they can't see the point in being aware and conscious of life?
(2) Why don't they hibernate for the winter and wait for the slightly less absurd summer before coming out with their absurd smiles and shallow iconoclasm?
(3) If they were really being absurd why don't they advocate a revolution to provide life with the meaning that it so sorely needs?
(4) Why can't they endeavour to become aware of the real absurdities in our system (not just the adolescent contrivances they pass off as the absurdities) and do something about it? Can it be that they can't sec past cafe-time?
(5) Why do these people seem to lack enthusiasm for anything other than thrill and kick-seeking?
(6) Why are they unable to empathise with other people and to resort to the prehistoric protection of insensitivity to safeguard their beliefs?
(7) Can it be that like the dinosaur, the traffickers of the absurd in life suffer from a chimerically large body but very little brain?
(8) Can they prove a better world will emerge from their nihilism?
If these people are unable to answer these questions I had better not leap on their bandwaggon, but rather remain one of the few (I hope there are more that I haven't heard of) idealists around the place. At least our eyes are opening and. although we see very dimly at the moment, the light is getting strong enough for us to identify the fact that, there are a few people around this institution and in society who are trying to pull the blinds down.
June 11, 1968
Opinions expressed in Salient are not necessarily those of VUWSA.
To the young in this country whose interest in America is coupled with concern for the problems she is facing both within and abroad the assassination of Senator Robert Kennedy is a particular tragedy.
Senator Kennedy seemed to appreciate these problems more vividly than others on his country's political scene. His record showed action on the problems that concerned him rather than worry over their political exigencies. As United States Attorney-General he fought with effect for Civil Rights— against Union corruption and attracted to his department young men of ability, several of whom now hold high office in Congress and in President Johnson's Administration.
To many of us Senator Kennedy was the hope of moderation in future American foreign policy. His advice prevailed against the experts in the
His image of action won him the loyalty of the poor and the other underprivileged groups in American society with whom he felt a real concern. They appreciated that results to him would matter more than the concomitant charges of ruthlessness or arrogance.
For the future many of us saw this leader and his views as what America needed to have a chance of achieving and in the long term securing peace both in that country and overseas.
We must now hope that in 1968 American can find another such man.
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In a land not so far away that a herd of asses could not be driven there between sunrise and noon a certain unbeliever, one
And it transpired that on the very day when these evil words were placed upon the wall posters for alt to see another unbeliever, Bearded Belter Blitzed, did likewise err and criticise the noble Gorm.
And in another land the only begotten son of Gorm, one O'Dryin did mightily beat upon his breast and tear his hair. "Forsooth," cried he, "My God hath been profaned" and calling nigh his scribe he did declare. "This great wrong shall not go unpunished. Take thee with all haste to honoured Rolling and Birchfield, his brother, and say to them that unless this heresy to truly be exposed they, and all their Labouring followers, shall be stricken from the Holy Book and shall no more be called the loyal lovers of Gorm. And, scribe, do say to Muddy Rolling that this must be so, else his name shall never be sent above, and never shall he find himself among the heavenly band."
And, forthwith, the scribe did flea to the noble priests and yea, even that day, the sinners Blitzed and Cager were called before the loyal lovers of Gorm and even then did they plead and say "Twas not for you we wrote, but for ourselves alone, and it is we who must face Holy Gorm when judgment day doth come, yea, even if it be in the eleventh month of the year which followeth this." And so it came to pass that censure was not passed upon those heretics, but the dark face of the Great Gorm was made to shine upon them.
Epilogue: Before the sun had risen even times five was the Bearded Blitzed seen to preach to the assembled faithful lovers of Gorm; Great is the Charity of the Great Gorm and noble is his forgiveness
Preparations are under way for the education battle which will be fought later this year.
The issue at stake is whether the universities are properly fulfilling their role and the battle will be won when it is decided whether their future will be governed by rational educational evolution or by financial panic and political expediency.
The rise of tertiary, non-university higher education has been a trend for many years, but it has been hustled into the public domain by the announcement of the National Development Conference in August. It was not completely clear what line the government would be pursuing in the educational sector of the conference until Mr Muldoon made his now famous comments about the cost of failure, and the need for more technical education, and when he asked whether the universities did not in fact have many students who could be better catered for in other educational institutions.
Mr Muldoon stressed repeatedly that he was only asking questions and provoking comment rather than supplying answers, but it is clear that he expects the Development Conference to provide the answers he requires.
In a time of economic down-turn, when the cry is for value-for-money and for the type of education most useful to the economy, Mr Muldoon's appeal is largely on the grounds of finance. Except for Professor McDougall, President of the Association of University Teachers (who mistakenly replied to Mr Muldoon and refuting that there is really a brain-drain only by attacking his statements), the response of those most affected has been on a non-financial plane.
It was a remarkable coincidence indeed that the AUT held a seminar on May 16 and 17, the subject of which was "Aspects of Tertiary Education". One speaker—Dr
Dr Wark did not actually advocate the Australian system for New Zealand, but concluded—"We are, in Australia, on the verge of remarkable advances. I hope that I have been able to give to you some idea of how exciting and stimulating has been the work of those moulding the destinies of the colleges."
Several speakers at the Seminar recognised the need for more developed technical education and seemed to favour some change. The AUT however moves very slowly and has not yet officially decided even to make submissions to the conference.
There is considerable disagreement in the AUT about the issue, and it is not clear that there will be sufficient unanimity to agree on the content of submissions, presuming that it is agreed to make a submission at all.
At the moment an AUT sub-committee is "investigating the possibilities".
NZUSA has perhaps more plainly seen the dangers ahead and is preparing itself for action. The decision to appoint a paid Education Research Officer was taken, in part, with the Development Conference in mind, but it seems that the Conference will be upon the officer, yet to be appointed, before he has time to draw up a convincing case.
NZUSA is, however, moving towards a new role as a strong pressure group. The recent Student Leader Seminar rammed this point home. One speaker was Mr
Keep your objectives limited and simple, was his advice, and before the Seminar was over it was agreed in principle by delegates that NZUSA limit its objectives and draw up a list of educational priorities for action in the future.
Mr Sunday Times also spoke to the Seminar. His address followed on from that of Mr Simmons and he advised delegates on the best way to use the mass media for achieving their objectives; how best to win co-operation from editors and staff and how to push press statements through the newspaper pipeline with the minimum of cutting and the maximum effect.
Despite surface appearances NZUSA's constituents agree widely on most issues and, led by President
If anyone can pull it off it will be
The University administrators have already conceded defeat. The plan put forward by Victoria for a preliminary coference to "pinpoint the weaknesses in the university system and to grapple with the problem in a constructive way" has been postponed by the Vice-Chancellors' Committee until it will be too late.
It seems the administrators are "too busy" and will passively await the judgment of the national conference.
It has been argued that the Vice-Chancellors" Committee has not got the facilities for extensive educational research, but if this argument is the basic one why are they going to reconsider the proposals in September, when the "dust of the National Development Conference has settled"?
Vice-Chancellor are operating as efficiently and economically as possibly, and he has furthermore categorically denied that university admissions are too liberal.
The battle ahead is a complex one. Both sides agree generally that more technical education is a good thing, but it is the method of its implication that is important.
The battle will be fought, to a great extent, in the headlines. The economy-conscious public will read statements like that of Mr
Here are the Students' Association recommendations to Joint Committee on Student Participation in the University:
• Executive Committee of the University Council—there seems to be no reason why one student representative should not have a vote on this most vital subcommittee.
• Ceremonial Committee of Council — it would be highly desirable to have a student representative on the sub-committee which deals with Graduation Ceremonies.
• Purchase of Works of Arts Standing Committee of Council—students as well as staff have to live with what is purchased and a student representative would seem in order.
• Site and Building Development Study Committee of Council—if the change in (i) is accepted, then there would be a voting student representative on this subcommittee.
To alleviate many of the problems mentioned while maintaining a balance on the governing body of the University it is felt that there should be three student representatives on Council.
They will read Mr Muldoon's wild estimate of $10 million ("give or take $5 million or so") wasted on failed university units and shudder. (The failure cost in Australia, with 96,000 students as oposed to 25,000, was recently put at $10 million).
Learned academic arguments and pleas for moderation will make poor headlines in comparison.
The education lobby has apparently been split, and judging from the Vice-Chancellors' Committee and University Grants Committee's inaction it has little stomach for a fight.
The most important point seems to have been overlooked.
Although both sides may largely agree on long-term objectives, if changes are made in the present atmosphere of financial pressure this will be what is perhaps the right solution, but for the wrong reasons. In this way a great disservice would be done to the status of universities by what would be a virtual reproach.
The development of an alternative to university education cannot fail to cause a cut in the budgetary allocations for universities, and by a remarkable coincidence the quinquennial university grants are due to be decided soon after the conference has presented its conclusions, near the end of this year.
The universities are due for a shake-up; and it will not be too long in coming.
The present student representative is appointed by the Executive of the Students' Association under S.6 (2) (h) of the V.U.W. Act 1961. It has been the practice for this person to liaise with the Association, but to always maintain a reasonably independent stand so as to be able to disagree with the Association's policy at Council meetings when he felt this was desirable. In our view this form of representative should be retained.
It is our view that as well the official Students' Association view should be represented at all times on the Council and the logical person to fulfil this post would be the President of the Students' Association or his nominee.
In our view a student should be elected directly to the Council by the students. While the person directly elected might be inexperienced in the administrative details of Council, he would be in a position to provide a direct link between Council and the general student body to whom he would be responsible. It is felt a balance would be retained as the other student representatives would have experience and the Council could expect them to make a valuable contribution.
• Membership of the Student Union Management Committee should be increased by three students.
Each year Executive should appoint three members to Management Committee for two years instead of two as now.
The third member should be elected directly by the student body; or be the person elected to University Council by the student body.
• Otherwise Executive should appoint each year two members for two years (i.e. those it appoints now) and two members for one year.
In this case the third additional member should be elected by the student body.
• The provisions relating to the appointment of the immediate past President to Management Committee should be changed to the immediate past President and if he is not available or already on the Committee that a member of the immediate past President's Executive be appointed in his place.
• Communication between the administration and the student body would be greatly improved by the establishment of an administrative newspaper at this University. This paper should include news from Council, the Professorial Board, the University Administration, and the Student Union Management.
• There is room for three student representatives on the Professorial Board:
One representative should be selected and appointed on the same basis as the present Student Representative on Council so he would be able to maintain a reasonably independent position.
The second representative should be an official Association representative who would present the views of the Association on all matters of educational policy. It is suggested this person should be the President of the Association or his nominee.
The third representative should be directly elected by the student body.
A further separate suggestion would arise if the proposals in connection with Faculty Committees (infra) are adopted. This would be that the five Faculty representatives should be the student representatives on the Professorial Board.
• A course and Staff Evaluation Scheme should be introduced on the ground that it would provide invaluable information on courses and teaching standards.
At some overseas Universities the scheme is organised by the equivalent to the Students' Association with the result that administrative co-operation is often lacking, returns are often inadequate, and comments slanted.
• There should be one student elected to each Faculty Committee.
• A committee consisting of one academic staff member, one administration staff member, and one or two students appointed by the Association's Executive.
This committee should be empowered to ask any staff, member (be they academic or administration) to answer any questions, to obtain such further evidence as it deems necessary, to make known its findings through the "Gazette" or through "Salient", and to make recommendations to the Council, the Registrar, the Professorial Board, Heads of Departments or any other body.
There seems no reason why complaints concerning the Executive of the Students' Association, and complaints by staff concerning students should not also be heard by this body.
He lingered by the wrinkling waves, a fair skin blushed in sun slipping up from the sea. He stood, if time can stand, in animated reflection: and grass green hills sprinkled their dew into streams, fleeing.
A gentle warm body that breathed with the darkness where fingers whispering conceived their passion that rose and fell in shadows from the fire there burning. And musing in a mist of colours brown and warm and dreamed, I danced the first night's song and slept beside the stream.
Imagine him running, the sand flung madly at the sky like an insane jealousy, and a wide spare sun shining beyond him. Touching people in an existence found in other places; the white front door, hidden rooms, and twisted bodies in picture-frame windows.
Guess his useless passion!
How hot the sun grows and the sea slides slowly away somewhere over the horizon. "What day is thing?"
It means they put on shoes, and lift the lid of boxes climbing out and climbing in the lids of other boxes. Stopping never to dream, stopping to function, then running against the sun that having climbed too, now considers, now steals backwards to oblivion.
And the waves rippled strongly, reaching to touch his feet that were walking now, feet that dragged the sand into rocks like footmarks to remain forever. Until the rain.
Hot warm kisses and love lying dried, dried like salt. I look up to the window, but the sun has disappeared. People close gates behind them and run water in lighted windows. Standing in the blackness I am alone.
Somewhere a clock tolls and the waves unfold themselves faraway. And over the sand they come. And. his body resisting no more, waits white and bare for their touch.
It is trepidly that I enter on my new career as Chronicler in chief and in only to the Triboldies tribe. I understand that a certain amount of latitude is permitted me in stile and in content My predecessor's method, so he tells me repeatedly, was to consult the ancients (who, perhaps, were not so ancient as he would prefer to believe); to base my stile on that of a chronicler of our so called "epic" or "classical" period. The tradition is that a chronicle is not made public till the chronicler's demise; therefore (according to Inkier mon Pinkler) he is free from "subtle urgings by his fellows" and is thus encouraged to produce a history, interspersing events with wise and farseeing remarks, rather than to produce a mere diary. Ocarina recommends the impersonal, detached stile of a chronicler such as Quinquagesima in preference to the more personal, immediate manner of writing of one such as Duodecimo. It is in this tradition that I place myself; so in the pages of this new, square olive green book, the making of which has just been completed, those who in future years come to read this Chronicle will find in it a more interpretative emphasis than has been the fashion in recent centuries.
Perhaps this passage should be expunged, save for the last several signs. It came surprisingly to me that Ocarina had chosen me for chronicler; particularly in view of my confrontation with him vis-à-vis Mazinta. I suppose, in view of his declared policy, that all such incidents escaped entry in his chronicle. I fell strongly, though I have not seen it, and know nothing of it, that the Journal of Ocarina may possibly give a misleading impression of the events which have led up to our present quandary; I shall make no attempt here to conceal my motives for selecting for inclusion in this chronicle the particular events and opinions that I do select. . . . Perhaps Ocarina feels that he should make amends for his own rather shameful conduct towards Marzinta and towards myself, both before entry into Troppo and during the Second Great Fiasco of Aggabug. I should very much like to read Ocarina's journal, though the reservations expressed by Inkier mon Pinkler apply probably with even more force to a chronicler than to our people at large. However, I dare not ask Ocarina to see his Journal for fear that he would suspect my motives (which I should have to pretend were improvement of stile . . . and he will never read this journal, except with my express permission to write certain passages, as has been the custom, though as far as I now he has never observed it) and publicly reveal in an unrepresentative and unfair way some of my youthful (and needless to ay, now much-regretted) indiscretions, much to my own discredit and shame. Hence I shall refrain from asking his permission to see his chronicle, but shall keep asking his advice on matters of stile, which advice he is so keen to give (perhaps not disinterestedly; it is possible that he is encouraging me to omit personal details and to produce a history of our movements, rather than of our people, in order that I should omit any reference to the rather shameful conduct on his part that I have referred to above) that I need not ask at all, but merely make myself visible in his unoccupied presence, and wear a suitable expression of face, namely one of receptiveness, showing a mood disposed to listen rather than to opine. It is a good time to approach him. I imagine; he is as yet uncertain in his leadership; he shows successively too much authority and too much hesitancy in his day-to-day decisions; he is obviously nervous in the administration of his own impression of his power, though his impression is more than his power. Let us hope that such a great admirer of the late Sparadrap ( )—after whose name he has requested me to leave an empty, honouring space—will come shortly to adopt Sparadrap ( )'s stile of leadership by encouragement, rather than by direction, as was the notorious wont of after imitating him, not before) and the stirring cries of enthusiasm, both of which will probably prove unnecessary since Ocarina leads a sheltered ife and we seem to be approaching the homeland.1 I suspect that Ocarina has proceeded backwards even in the matter of establishing a stile; no doubt Ocarina is familiar with Duodecimo's eulogy of Quinquagesima in the (old) year 314; though I imagine that Ocarina dislikes Duodecimo's manner on the whole, he cannot fail to be impressed by the touching eulogy, which could be. in part, applied (though not truthfully) to the career of Ocarina.
Ocarina has been burying me with stylistic advice; he has even gone so far as to show me a page of his own journal. The
'wwndyy'
Cool Hand Luke is the finest film of the year, so far. It will probably have passed unnoticed by most people (who still seem only to be attending the "In the tradition of . . ." series, if nothing else) as did the wry brutalities of Point Blank.
The film seems to work on a hiatus-level system ("a film about a man and the system, any system") epically depicting the suffering of chain-gang workers by their brutal bosses and the persistance of one
Newman has been working to achieve this part for years (he looks 10 years younger). As Cool Hand Luke he achieves a rare spirituality, "a performance of smiles" (as someone remarked), and his presence among his fellow prisoners, holds together possibly the last thing they will achieve in their suffering and inevitable death.
In the opening sequences as Luke is drunkenly knocking off the heads of parking meters, a red sign fills the screen Violation. The film is all variants on violation. Luke's fellow prisoners begin to worship and take an intensely personal attitude towards him after a series of escapes, the warnings and brutal slashes of the captain (a hysterical Strother Martin), and the speechless stick wielding Blind Dick (
Scene after beautiful scene, the men are seen working on road, sides, slashing grass, sweating, yelling "take it off boss?" and goaded by Luke's indominitable spirit to crush the "non communicable," ever staring gun-slung bosses.
The print and tonal snading is incredible. Outside scenes have a rare unbelievable colouring that defies the most primitive and hackneyed description. This is due to Divorce American-Style, and soon in Richard Brook's In Cold Blood—and it is hard to believe the film is the second by Stuart Rosenberg. His first was Murder Incorporated with The Invaders series on TV.
A lot of TV technique is used, especially a telephoto lens (rather than the aborted zoom) and huge close-ups which explore the Panavison screen superbly.
Lalo Schifrin's score is wild and nervous, sparked with blues songs that marvellously keep in step with the mood. George Kennedy, usually a sinister "heavy", is Dragline, Lukes best friend. It's a loud compassionate performance that earned him a best supporting actor award in the 1968 Oscars (contrary to what Christchurch papers billed as '67!). It is he and Luke who eventually escape (the third time), leading to a big scene in an old empty chapel, with Luke's sombre vocalize in true
Jo Van Fleet as his ma provides one of the saddest moments in the film, as she visits Luke at the camp, propped up in the back of an old van. It is obvious she is consumptive, and sometimes her "farewell" words are chocked back by her condition.
There is also a terse sequence with a Southern belle ( Hurry Sundown (not to be found in this review thank you!).
Never has a film about a group of men in a "lifelong predicament", been so absorbing that it infuses every inch of mind and body with an emotion of suffused delight. It certainly makes the reactionary delicacies of Bonnie and Clyde look like the rare shadow that it was, and it will be a long time before an American film of this stature and calibre is seen here again—probably In Cold Blood, which has had an outstanding opening in Aussie. So, if you haven't seen Cool Hand Luke, and it is still on, don't arrive late, its well over 2 hours long.
Richard Wagner: Orchestral Masterpieces From The Ring Of The Niebelung (PFSM 34116) shows Stokowski and Phase Four Stereo in a beter light. This time the recording is right up to the series' highest standard.
The London Symphony is in much better form and relish the opportunity to crash their way through extroverted Wagner war-horses—"the Ride of the Valkyries", "Entrarnce of the Gods into Valhalla", "Siegfried's Death and Funeral Music" etc.
Raphael Frubeck de Burgos has made quite a name for himself in the past few years; so far his recording career has concentrated on the more neglected composers—
Now he has recorded Stravinskys The Rite of Spring and Prokofiev's Classical Symphony with the New Philharmonic Orchestra (Hmv Asdm 2315 Stereo). In all his recording with the Philharmonia de Burgos has managed to obtain quite an exceptional orchestral tone and this new one confirms my belief that the young Spaniard has done a lot for an orchestra that was facing financial, artistic and moral decay two years ago.
It is painfully embarrassing to witness the ease with which New Zealand officialdom exposes its crass stupidity. It makes one wonder whether this country will ever reconcile itself to reality.
The latest action which prompts this though is, of course, concerned with the good of dirty books Tribunal. This time someone has put it up to the Secretary of Justice (a Dr. Robson, undoubted honourable and just doing his job) to submit Jean Genet's Querelle of Brest to the Tribunal for classification as to its decency etc.
As any literate person will tell you this book has been available for nearly a year (at $3.10), and was even featured as a "pick of the month" in Witcombe and Tombs' "Book News".
Genet's two early prose works are available— The Thief's Journal in Penguin, Our Lady of the Flowers in Panther (though very scarce). Miracle of the Rose is in hardback from Anthony Blond, publishers of the Collected Prose Works, It escaped from the Tribunal's clutches some time ago.
Genet, as any literate person will further inform you, is mainly concerned with homoeroticism—-his prose and drama are those of a devoted homosexual. He is also a major artist of his time. He cannot be ignored, and for many people he is not ignored.
His writing is powerfully emotionally, obsessively fantastic, and, above all, aesthetic. All his writings hammer home his own vision, his disgust, his repulsion—and in turn we may be disgusted or repelled. On the other hand he is also compulsive. His vision is totally anti-social, yet he is irresistible. He writes about people's least attractive habits and finds them beautiful. He despises all that is central to bourgeois society. He lauds theft, approves murder, is fascinated by human excretement and sexual organs. He sees no value in morality, decency, orthodoxy. He fulfils fantasies we dare not desire; he rejects all that we have been taught to respect. His anarchism is destructive, nihilistic, yet the superiority he claims for his immonde (anti-world) of indecency is stated with such artistry and skill that the most profound problems of art and morality are raised. He is not pornographic as is most homoerotic literature (not found in book shops by the way); he is unlike any other writer.
As one writer recently put it; Genet's "art is the ultimate revenge of homosexuality on the world from which homosexuals are excluded". If the Justice Department is as "liberal" as some have alleged, let it put a stop to this nonsense and let Genet speak to the world and not to the cellar.
New writers who suddenly achieve critical success several years (often more) after the first publication of the work are always fascinating. The excitement of reading an unknown author and then finding that your enjoyment has been shared by others, is a welcome antidote to the high-pressure tactics of much modern literary practices.
Three such writers, two of them British, have just become celebrated on the American East Coast scene. Age of Wonder was published in London last year—unheralded. Today, under the title The Three Suitors, it is a sensation in New York. I haven't yet been able to track it down out here—but I'm still looking.
We have on authority of
The third writer in this gossip piece is
To get away from literary name-dropping. Last week a new fortnightly entitled The New Zealander appeared, and like Frontiers, hails from Christchurch. Eaited by a working journalist recently returned to New Zealand, it is, of course, independent. It will be refreshing to read some journalism that is neither the output of the commercial press, nor the mumblings of academics in learned and not so learned magazines.
Comment, wit and intelligence has generally been restricted to student-based magazines—it's high time journalists broke the fetters of their vocation and published stuff they have always wanted to, but couldn't. The New Zealander, if not exactly attractive in form—which could mean financial failure—does promise to have topicality.
Let's hope that it can combine the qualities of professional journalism—such as they are in New Zealand— with independent (read radical) thinking. The first issue is not over-promising. Not enough short items and too many articles whose appeal is too serious for a journal which must have popular appeal. Biting and scintillating prose about the New Zealand of today and tomorrow is a scarce commodity—but at least it is not under import restriction. C'mon you budding journalists—let the stops out.
In And out they go; one weekers with scarcely the time to review them, let alone redress. Past week has included a new and greater Uncle film. In fact it isn't as good as two earlier ones that come readily to mind, but it does have its consolations. Not least is
If you missed the revival of Alfred Hitchcock's The Trouble With Harry (1955) you should not be forgiven. One of Hitchcock's least successful films at the box-office (which is saying a lot), it is also one of his directorial chef d'oeuvres. Seemingly ignored by most, we have it on reasonable authority that it is Hitchcock's favourite film. And well he might. Extremely austere in his films, this is Hitchcock's only comedie noir, a welcome relief to those disillusioned by his more recent films.
The trouble with Harry is that he is unwanted but inescapable. Everyone is caught up in Harry's larger-than-life presence. They bury him, exhume him, several times . . . they undress him, clean him, and put him in freshly pressed pants. They even trip over him. It's the funniest thing since Aunt Nell's skeleton. Predictable, sure, but the plot becomes so intricate and delicate that even a heart condition couldnt break it up. The only typical Hitcheockian theme is that of ordinary folks being caught up in a web they cannot fully comprehend. But their attitude becomes strictly ruthless and comically irreverent.
Paramount are to be congratulated on re-releasing a film with which they were never happy. Today, perhaps, we do not feel so uncomfortable about death. Anyhow; black humour is now a staple feature of many films. It never pays to underestimate Hitchcock; no one has yet learned the lesson of the scene in Torn Curtain where Paul Newman demonstrated the gruesome reality of killing.
Let us hope that Paramount will also re-release their other Hitchcock films—To Catch a Thief, Rear Window, and Vertigo—at the earliest opportunity. The rest will be up to you, dear readers.
However, in this particular instance we are equally among the autumnal yellows of New England. Harry's feet frame several shots, and we are delightedly welcome to drop in on some perverse and witty dialogue. For this we thank (To Catch a Thief). As for the beautiful colour photography, we thank (Strangers on a Train) surely something of a record in the business.
Harry also marks the beginning of Hitchcock's fruitful relationship with Bernard Herrmann, whose psychological music has been used to good effect in Psycho and The Birds, and latterly in the films of Hitchcock's French devotees, Francois Truffaut (Fahrenheit 451) and Claude Chabrol's yet-to-be-seen Champagne Murders.
Hammer of England have been churning out Technicolor horrors since Terence Fisher's re-discovery of Dracula and Frankenstein. Lately:, past the 100 film mark, Hammer have gone "prestige". No longer those double bills with the same sets and faces—although, to give them their due, they did make some real beauts (The Damned, The Nanny)—and instead we have high quality productions like One Million Years BC. The most recent have both suffered from the affliction of name-changes. The Devil's Own was The Witches, and Five Million Years to Earth (originally Quatermass and the Pit), a very well produced yarn about strange happenings down a subway under construction. Good, even horrifying effects, although the dialogue often doesn't match the visual quality. Queen of horror, Anniversary, will be here soon.
Fitzwilly is Dick van Dyke whom the kids didn't like. A matinee fizzle that will only ensure that kids will not go to films that mum wants them to. Delbert Mann's flair for comedy eludes him here except for the final scene when a department store is reduced to ruins on Christmas eve by the offer of free colour TV with every purchase.
The Lido continues its "In the tradition of . . ." series with Jorn Donner's To Love, a short quirky undigestible flat-foetid chirp about boudoir bannerisms, in the tradition of Ernst Schwebes much neglected Day of the Raping Yak. We must take into consideration that Donner is very young. He made this, his second feature, at 26, after many television quickies.
I won't be too rude to Donner; we may be able to see some more of his films.
This is he: "In order to teach myself and to some extent others, I want to tell a story as simply and clearly as possible", and turns over and dreams of Godard!
As a smatter of principle the question, "What's on at the ly-do?" seems to be echoing through the needling minds of the eternal sunday patronisers, not that I hold anything against Albeit Caymusses Orphul Noir.
A Letter to the Editor of Salient.
In which the Bees buzz hard and Owl fight a Hcffalump, and are charged with heresy.
Dear Owen—The vast, profound and deeply moving controversy waged betwixt one who has meandered down the dark lanes far from the holy norm of your grand establishment, one, only unmentionable as J — "Iscariot" M—, and our formerly honoured partner in pilgrimages, Sir Johannes Sebastianus "Overgod, (if one mayest stoop to such doggerel) Hales, FOP, RC, PD, EC and TF, has resurrected from the depths of darkness unto the flowerbestrewn paths of enlightenment, a schism of unparalled magnitude within the ranks of the most blessed and revered members of our usually winnieing faction, to wit, the pooH cluB, dividing the true believers from the damned and unrepentant sinners.
Ah! A god that falls .o carolling the words of mathematics is half-way down the abyss, but the saviour, the excellence of whose public achievements have, even in the most propitious of lights, been, at the best, debateable, can never become a repository of trust amongst his kinsfolk. No Sirrah! I will not acquiesce to such an offensive display of public relations.
So, I, the undersigned, being eminently capable of such constitutional measures, hereby beg to notify the intention of calling a Special General Meeting of the aforementioned cluB to consider a vote of no confidence in any powers of the thriceaforementioned being.
P.S. When this becomes too hot politically, see Denis.
These notes on the above letter were suplied by
1. When I first glanced at the heading I was impressed only by the bad grammar. However if rhe phrase "buzz hard" is taken as one of the subjects, we have a strong reference to the recent vagaries of the Labour Party, where "Buzzard" Blizard and "Owl" Gager dared challenge the power of the vast head of our bottomless political pit.
2. Hcffalump—refers to this odd deity, lost on a dark night at the top of the forest.
3. Dear Owen—yet another obvious allusion.
4. Holy) Norm—see 2 above.
5. Grand Establishment—a former left-wing clique, devoted to tea drinking; the plaeing of Norm at the head is a cynical reflection on the mighty.
6. Only unmentionable as— typical Arnold joke.
7. J ? "Iseariot" M? presumably refers to a certain
8. Formerly—probably puns with "formally".
9.Overgod— the opposite of "underdog", hence pun.
10. FOP, RC, PD, EC and TF —presumably Fount of Praise, Radical Correspondent,
11. Winnieing—the pooH
12. To wit—see title.
13. pooh cluB—viz. Labour Party, C.E., Exec etc.
14. The words of mathematicians—Viz. Arnold, or, more likely
15. Saviour—me? or Mitchell? or Owen? or Carroll? or Norm? or Me? or Arnold? or Owen?or Harrison? or Blizard? or Owen? Of Norm?
16. Even in the?, the best—typical Arnold.
17. No Sirrah!?obviously refers to Owen, but read backwards.
18. Being eminently capable— Arnold had to brag somewhere.
19. Thriceaforementioned being—depends on interpretation of 1st letter—most probably Owen or God or Norm or Arnold or Mitchell.
20. Denis—refers to a proposed takeover bid by
SIR—The degeneration of your so-called political features section into a petty juvenile schoolboy slanging match somewhat distresses me. Your correspondents over the last two isues, maybe with the exception of
Students, in their attitudes should try and maintain some ideals in politics, be objective in their criticism and try, as far as possible, to keep away from personal attacks.
Might I suggest that if this section cannot be lifted out of the-gutter, you drop it, as in its present form it reflects no credit on you or your paper.
Yours faithfully,
A group of Allan students has been working on a Malaysian Folk Dance recently with a view to performing this and perhaps a few other items at a future lunch-hour concert.
They would welcome at least 12 additions to the group now to take part in this concert. Later in the year it is possible these items may be incorporated in a fullscale evening performance.
Any student interested in joining please contact
The ball season has begun. Do you feel confident on a dance floor?
Nzusa Insurance Scheme
Special Concessions And Low Premiums For Life Assurance
Contact Student Association Office.
For those students who need assistance, ballroom dancing classes are being held at the gymnasium.
Beginners?
Monday 10-11 a.m.
Thursday 9-10 a.m.
Advanced?
Thursday 5-6 p.m.
All welcome . . . Ladies especially.
At the moment several of the gentlemen are being forced into solo performances because of an unfortunate imbalance of numbers.
Ladies, come along whether you can dance or not.
Would you deprive these enthusiastic young gentlemen of your charming company?
If you are already a competent social dancer, why not try something new?
Modern dance classes are held regularly at the gymnasium on Tuesday 12-1 and Wednesday 6-7 p.m.
This is a feeler to sound out any interest in folk dances of different countries. We can arrange classes if there is sufficient response.
Men, this includes you — folk dance is for mixed groups. International Club especially, how about it?
Contact the gymnasium staff.
Gymnastics has become a tournament sport.
If you are a keen gymnast and would like to compete in the gymnastics events for tournament please contact a member of the gymnasium staff as soon as possible.
Classes in gymnastics for any interested student, not only those who wish to compete in tournament are held:
Monday 11-12. Friday 2-3.
A gymnastic club will be formed as soon as there is a demand for one. Act now ?come to the gymnasium and we will arrange a club time to suit you.
Keep fit classes for women are being held at the following times.
Monday 4-5.
Wednesday 12-1.
Thursday 1-2.
If you are interested in keeping fit but find that these times are not suitable, please contact
Men's fitness training: Thursday 10-11 a.m.
Ski lessons and training: Lessons: Monday 10-11 a.m.; Wednesday 12-1 p.m.; Thursday 2-3 p.m. and 3-4 p.m.
Training: Monday 5-6 p.m.
SOCCER
Quarter Finals: 12/6/68.
Geography v. Accountancy Classics (last year's cup winners) v. Fiji.
Finals: 26/6/68, 1.15 p.m.
BASKETBALL
Quarter Finals: 6/6/68.
3rd Place: Economics.
4th Place: Chemistry.
Finals: Next week 13/6/68. 1.30 p.m. Law v. Maths.
BADMINTON
Quarter Finals: 17/6/68.
Staff 1 v. Biochemistry.
History v. English.
Finals: 5/8/68, 12 p.m.
Points In The Intramural Competitions For Term I:—
Soccer:
Geography 13, Salient 10, Chemistry 10, Horowhenua OB 10, Accountancy 8, Fijian Stud. Association 7.
BASKETBALL:
Law 8, Weir 6, Botany 6, Executive 6, Economics 4, Chemistry 4, Women 4, Maths 4, Commerce 2, Tramping Club 2, Accountancy 0, Philosophy 0.
Table Tennis:
Staff 8. Chemistry 7, Dalefield 5. Weir 4, Scots 4, Law 2.
BADMINTON:
Biochemistry 10, Physics 8, Staff II 7, Music 6, English 6, Staff I 6, SCOB 6, Pol. Science 6, Commerce 5, Maths 5, History 5, Hsob 4. Chemistry 2.
This is a photograph of "Whispering" Jim Nargs Mbe. Little would any of us think that mildmannered Jim was none other than the hairiest great twit this side of Parliament Buildings.
He is, in fact, suffering from an overdose of congenital idiocy. More to the point however is that Jim Nargs has sold himself to "Salient" to help in the fight against congenital idiocy, to break down the barriers of ignorance and suspicion that surround it and make himself a cool four dollars (plus 50 cents for every other cretin who gives himself up on the strength of this appalling feature).
What then, you might well ask, are the facts about congenital idiocy? That would be a very good question which we feel sure Jim the Cretin would be delighted to answer.
But as he has been called away at short notice to be the Social Credit candidate in the Hutt by-election we will content ourselves with presenting the Jim Nargs Two-Minute Idiocy Examination.
Just two minutes a day are all you need and should the examination prove positive don't be downhearted. Remember, idiocy can't be cured.
(1) Take brisk walk to Pipitea Wharf. Pick on the most immense human being in sight. (Hint: he will probably be driving the largest fork-lift truck, of Polynesian extraction, and will be wearing a black singlet bearing the monogram "Take me Now". Extra Hint: don't Attract his "attention" by extending your right arm. Part index and middle fingers until an angle of 30 degrees is formed between the two. Flex wrist up and down.
(2) Stagger (if you are still able) back along the Quay to the registered offices of "Grott, Grunt, Thrust and Nargs" (Stockbrokers). Demand to see Herbert Grott (Sen.) who will regale you with details of an absolutely amazing issue of shares in a soon-to-be-erected (if you'll pardon the expression) French letter factory in a small European state. You leave the premises the proud owner of $5000 worth of debentures in Joevat Ltd. (Vatican branch).
(3) Finally bumble along to the Student Union until you blind your way into a room marked "Editorial Office." Knock (with your good hand) and enter. Perhaps what you see will convince you that you are sane after all. There will be characters lounging over the desks wearing duffel coats and beards, smoking pot and singing obscene songs. Some of the men are just as bad. You will be invited to write a satirical column. You sit and type:
if you can chum out crap like this,
If you can meet your deadline and futile gags employ
If you can have de Gaulle to make a pun like that
You'll be a raving great nong, my boy!
9 a.m.-6 p.m. University Open Day! See the University in action?lectures and special programmes have been arranged, so that the public can gain some idea of the activities within the University. Lectures, films, debates and displays will take place during the day.
University Open Day
Programme
The following activities are programmed for the Student Union and Gymnasium after 1 p.m.
1.00 p.m.-2.00 p.m. Forum. On the lawn outside the Student Union if fine, otherwise in the Common Common Room.
1.00 p.m. Gymnasium. Intramural Table Tennis.
2.15 p.m. Common Common Room. Folk Music Society gives a concert of folk music.
2.00 p.m. Gymnasium. Training classes on the Dry Ski Slope.
2,00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Film.
3.00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Film.
3.00 p.m. Gymnasium. Golf tuition: visitors are invited to participate.
4.00 p.m. Common Common Room. A concert by the Madrigal Group.
4.00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Film.
4.00 p.m. Gymnasium. Women's Hockey.
5.00 p.m. Common Common Room. Display by the Karate Club.
5.00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Film.
8.20 a.m. Holy Communion. Quiet Room. Celebrated by the N.C.C. Chaplain. Members of all churches invited to attend.
1 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Winter Term Lecture " Crystal Ball And Slide Rule ? New Developments In Civil Engineering" to be given by Mr
1-2 p.m. RBI04. Rev. Robert Withycombe B.A. (Hons) B.D. Secretary IVF will speak on "Christianity and History".
7.30 p.m. Seminar Room. Applied Maths Div. Room 730, R.B. Dr
7.30 p.m. Ramsay House. Combined Religious Clubs Seminar. The third in a series of "Christianity, Society and Escapism". This week "Drinking", speakers Dr Skinner,
8 p.m. Lecture Block 1. International Human Rights Year. The Righ Hon. Sir
8 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Ngaio Revue presents "Finian's Rainbow." Book at the D.I.C.
12.30-1.30 p.m. Ramsay House, Hunger Lunch. 25 cents. Proceeds to relief of world hunger.
1.10 p.m. Music Room, Hunter Building. Recital. Music by Ravel and Bach performed by
8 p.m. Memorial Theatre.
1.15 p.m. R.B. 108 Anglican Society Eucharist.
5 p.m. Common Room 1. House Committee Meeting.
2 p.m. Harriers.
8 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Final performance of "Finian's Rainbow".
1-2 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Art films in series on "The Visual Arts" showing every Monday during the second term.
Wednesday. 19th June, Memorial Theatre. VUW Film Soc. screening "Inherit the Wind."
Friday, Saturday 21st, 22nd June, International Concert. Popular annual function comprising dances and songs performed by overseas students.
Friday. June 21st. M Kaye will be at the Student Union to discuss the NZUSA Insurance Scheme. Appointments or information may be obtained at the Association Office.
Friday. June 21st. VUW Debating Society. 62nd annual Plunket Medal Oratory Contest. This contest will take place in the Concert Chamber. Town Hall, and the model will be presented by His Excellency the Governor-General.
Sunday, 23rd, June. 8.15 p.m. Venue and details on noticeboard ? discussion on Conscientious Objection and Military Training in NZ.
Tuesday, 25th June, 1 p.m. Memorial Theatre, VUW Music Society Concert.
Friday. 28th June to Tuesday, 2nd July. Reikorangi. Philosophical Society Reading Party. Come and join hairsplitters for 34 relaxed and enlightening days of various philosophical activities. First pay $2.00 deposit to Departmental Secretary.
Every Monday? VUW Squash club meets at the John Reid Squash Courts at 7.30 p.m.
SCM Cabin available for club meetings. Contact
During Terms 2 And 3, The Sandwich Bar Will Be Open On Saturdays From 10.30 A.M. To 1.30 P.M.
Students Are Reminded That Submissions For The Joint Committee On Student Participation In The University Are Due With The Secretary Of The Committee, P.O. Box 196 Wellington, On Or Before Monday, First Day Of July, 1968.
Downstage Theatre Cafe
A Delicate Balance
by
Director:
Design:
Cast:
Anne Flannery, Ray Henwood, Raeburn Hirsch, Christine Batstone, Ken Blackburn, Del King.
Dinner 6.45 p.m. - Show 8.15 p.m.
Reservations Tel. 55-739
Daysh Renouf & CO.
Members Wellington Stock Exchange
National Mutual Centre
Featherston Street
Tel. 70-169
Victuallers
Reginald Collins Ltd.
Wholesale wine and spirit people. Vintners to the Students' Association. Carry stocks of all brands of ale, spirits, table wine (from 55c), sherry in flagons ($1.60) or quart bottles.
Free delivery?Cellars located at
No. 3 Ballance Street
(Customhouse Quay end)
Sports The Sports Depot
(Witcombe & Caldwell)
Half-way along Willis St.
Long-standing connection with University sport. Every one of Vic's 24 sports catered for.
Dentice Dry Cleaning
Telephone 81-105
The Students' Dry Cleaner
•
Free Pick-Up And Delivery 48-Hour Service
Barry & Sargent Ltd.
OPTICIANS
118 Willis St. - Tel. 45-841
St. George Billiard Saloon
Offers 15% Discount To Students
Mondays to Thursdays
OPEN 9 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Monday to Saturday
Hotel St. George
The "Seven Seas Bar"
Best In New Zealand
• Nearest to University.
• Modern, comfortable surroundings.
• Cool, bright, fresh beer on tap always.
• Food available from our "Food Bar", 11.45 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
• Mixed drinking?all facilities.
Entrees, Cold Buffet, Vegetables, Hot Pies
Suit Hire
•
Ralph Wilkins
James Soteros
New Hairdressing Salon
•
47 Farish Street and 23 Manners Street
For All Student Styles
Our Principals are desirous of appointing additional personnel to their staff who have Degrees in Science or Engineering. Holders of Certificates issued by the New Zealand Certification Board are invited to answer this advertisement, as favourable consideration will be given to such.
Several appontments have become available, resultant upon considerable expansion in this large group of companies.
Opportunity will also be given to young men partly qualified in these fields to further their studies and advancement is assured to industrious young men.
Apply quoting 68/361:
Rogers Perkins & Associates Ltd.
Management Consultants,
37 Dudley Street, Lower Hutt.
Telephone 64-442 Telephone 60-079.
A most interesting opportunity has arisen in a Lower Hutt division of a Dominion-wide group of companies for a Trainee Accountant.
The man our principals are -looking for is an agreeable matured younger man preferably with 3 or 4 units, who is anxious to increase his appreciation of the practical outworking of his profession.
Time will be allowed for furthering of studies and promotion is assured to the right man. Salary by negotiation. Apply 68/355.
Rogers Perkins & Associates Ltd.
Management Consultants,
37 Dudley Street, Lower Hutt,
Telephone 64-442 Telephone 60-079.
A large, progressive industrial organisation with international ramifications require the services of two able and prefably young industrial chemists, or men with Science degrees.
Preference will be given to a BSc. in Chemistry. The applicants should have had some experience in industry or chemistry, industrial chemistry or allied topics if possible. Salary by negotiation but will be fully commensurate with experience and qualifications.
Apply quoting 68/286 to:
Rogers Perkins & Associates Ltd.
Management Consultants,
37 Dudley Street, Lower Hutt.
Telephone 64-442 Telephone 60-079.
A challenging position has arisen in a major industrial organisation in the Wellington area for a qualified and experenced Methods Engineer, who has ability person ality and drive. The successful applicant will be the holder of a B.Eng. Degree or NZCE
Apply quoting 68/307 to:
Rogers Perkins & Associates Ltd.
Management Consultants
37 Dudley Street. Lower Hutt.
Telephone 64-442 Telephone 60-079.
Death and disaster have a morbid fascination for everyone. That's why they sell newspapers. The Dominion started it all with a "Wahine" supplement. Then the Nelson Evening Mail followed with an illustrated colour one on the earthquake. When Senator Kennedy was shot the Dominion advertised another supplement, only to scrap it at the last minute. The moral: the more disasters the better for the Press, and what's good for the Press is . . .
* * *
Labour, having forsaken its social crusade some time ago, has found its new crusade: the prestige of thnt ancient aristocratic institution, Parliament. Kiwi Keith has worried them by refusing to let the country sink further into the mire–he has saved us from the spectacle of fiddlers and the tires. Bui Labour, the true inheritors of all thai is decent, insist on a year-round display. When the last king is hanged with the entrails of the last priest Labour will be there holding up the House on the Hill whence all good comes.
* * *
George Webby's statement in Salient a while back that the Memorial Theatre be used strictly for drama has brought no discernible reaction from rival groups. Could if he that the Hollywoodiens in the Film Society have ostracised Webby because of his forthcoming WEA course on "What ever happened to Hollywood?"
* * *
Talking of Hollywood—noticed there arc no films about Vietnam. The only one recently is John Wayne's "Green Berets", and we don't have to guess what side its on. 20th Century-Fox have expressed intentions to film the lives of Che Guevara and Nat Turner. Says Fox chief: "We don'! shy away from anything controversial at Fox." Vietnam? "We're interested in doing nothing in the immediate future . . . maybe in five or ten years we'll do a picture." Ah, showbiz.
* * *
Quotation from review of "Crime in New Zealand" in the Christchurch Press": "Some of the relatively minor topics in this book should be of particular interest io that large body or readers whose names, by the grace of God, 'will never be recorded in the annals of crime or even appear transformed as a digit in a table of criminal statistics. One such topic is the wearing of apparel of the other sex. known as transvestism, this practice being quite frequently motivated by sexual purposes."
* * *
"Tne 67-year-old Mr King is a nephew of the famous press magnate. Lord North-cliffe, who launched popular journalism in Britain at the turn of the century". —Christchurch Press, 1/6/68.
* * *
"The 67-year-old Mr. King is a nephew of the famous Press magnate Lord Harmsworth, who launched popular journalism in Britain at the turn of the century".
—Dominion, 1/6/68.
The universities' conference proposed by the Victoria University Council has been prevented by the Committee of Vice-Chancellors.
Originally advocated by Mr
But the Vice-Chancellors, meeting on 22 May, decided not to call such a conference because "they had too much on their plates" and because of the imminence of the National Development Conference.
In a memorandum prepared for council, Mr Laurenson pointed out that both the authorities and public were beginning to question the value being obtained from the increased expenditure on universities.
In their own interests, as well as in the performance of a national duty, he considered the universities should take the initiative and pinpoint any weaknesses of the present system and constructively tackle any problems.
In particular the conference could consider failure rates, average time taken to get degrees, supply of graduates to meet the country's needs, rationalisation of course, scope and nature of research, the relationship of universities and technical institutes, teaching standards in universities, and the efficiency with which the universities were using available plant and resources.
Accepting Mr Laurenson's proposals on behalf of Council, Victoria's Executive Committee asked the Committee of Vice-Chancellors to call such a conference of the universities and the University Grants Committee.
The conference was to be "entirely separate" from any submissions the universities might make to the National Development Conference.
Executive Committee had received letters of support from the Councils at Canterbury and Waikato. Other universities were still to reply.
The chairman of the University Grants' Committee wrote saying he was "sure the . . . committee would be willing to co-operate" but, pointed out that some of the suggested topics would need lengthy investigation.
In declining to call the conference the Vice-Chancellors said they were at present pre-occupied with their quinquennial submissions; there was a feeling that Government. through the National Development Conference. "would interest itself in many of the broader issue"; some of the items would indeed require lengthy investigation; and the University Grants Committee would not be able to provide secretarial assistance.
In addition, the Vice-Chancellors would be out of the country for most of August at the Commonwealth universities' conference.
Though the National Development Conference would call for submissions from individual universities, the Vice-Chancellors felt they should also make a joint submission involving them in further work.
At present they would not have the time needed for the proposed universities' conference.
Mr Laurenson, when informed of the decision, said there seemed to be an implication, that problems need not be discussed because the National Development Conference might deal with them. But, one purpose of the proposed conference would have been to show that the universities were putting their own house in order.
"The public must be shown," Mr Laurenson continued, "that they are getting good value for their money."
The future of the world is inevitably bound up with the future of China, Mr
Mr Thorn, President of the Wellington District Freezing Workers' Union, has recently returned from a visit to China. He was greatly impressed by the tremendous advances in that country since he last saw it in 1938.
The young people of China have a sense of mission and are working toward a great future.
"Chinese primary-school children have a much greater political understanding than New Zealand children," said Mr Thorn, "and as for the older children, they were quite above me."
Questioned as to whether he thought the US had territorial ambitions in China, he answered. "There is no doubt about it."
About $4000 has been collected for the sculpture commemorating Professor
Pro-Chancellor, Mr
Australia has 40 colleges of advanced education with about 40,000 students, in addition to its universities, said Dr
Describing Australia's binary system of tertiary education, Dr Wark said:
"In the early 60s, more and more students were going into universities and the colleges' image was suffering.
"Many university entrants had little chance of success and the failure rate was high.
"Although some students had been able to matriculate, they were incapable of benefitting fully from university studies. On the other hand the colleges, concentrating on practical training, probably would have been able to convert many of them into competent professionals.
"Some drastic changes were needed."
Summarising the subsequent changes, Dr Wark described the setting-up in 1961 by Sir
They are spending $1OO million in the
"The main difficulty lies in selecting which students will go on to the technician course, who will go into the technological courses in the colleges and who into honours courses in the universities," Dr Wark said.
"Too often, the technician is the 'failed' technologist or scientist. It would have been better if we had diverted him earlier towards work for which he is better suited and for which the community has a vital need.
"For the first time, the colleges are being provided with sites and buildings to match the universities'; the staff are obtaining just salaries and working conditions; and, most important, sections of industry and commerce, and government departments, too. are beginning to prefer college graduates for many jobs," he said.
Stressing the financial problems of education and the need for research and re-thinking, Dr Wark said: "Much of the money available to universities throughout the whole world has been rendered less productive by unnecessary duplication of courses.
"If the educational establishments cannot themselves muster sufficient sense to agree on some reasonable system of rationalisation and co-operation, then the community —which provides the money?will be forced to insist upon it."