The influx of students to Palmerston North recently was made the occasion for a special general meeting of N.Z.S.A. at Massey College on Saturday, August 27. Mr. A. P. Blair presiding over delegates' representative of all the University Colleges. A lame agenda and a great deal of general business had to lie covered, the meeting beginning at 9 a.m. and concluding at about 1.15 p.m. Fortunately. Massey College turned on morning tea and lunch, so that the delegates were in fine form for the festivities of the afternoon and evening. The resignation of the lion, secretary. Mr. F. D. Christensen, was accepted with regret, and appreciation of his services were recorded in the minutes. The new secretary is Mr. J. B. Aimers.

Insurance.

The question of insurance for students did not at first receive great enthusiasm from the meeting. None of the delegates was able to promise any substantial support from their Colleges. The subcommittee had not been able to secure a policy which would cover theft as well as fire, but the fire-cover was rather better than most policies. The atmosphere of the discussion was for a while rather discouraging to the sub-committee, but the chairman took a hand to make things brighter. After praising their work, he said: "I think tills [unclear: scheme] deserves the support of all students. From my experience of insurance this is a very good cover. Most students' : digs are pretty inflammable and it seems the sub-committee have secured very good terms."

Lemoyne Debates.

Reference was made to criticisms by O.U.C. and V.U.C. of the style of debating used by too [unclear: LeMoyne] debaters. "The trouble with American debating teams." said Mr. J. B. Aimers. organiser of the tour, "seems to be due to the fact that they have debating coaches, and are more concerned with technique than material."

C.U.C. reported adversely upon the effect of broadcasting on the attendance at their debate against the negroes. Only 600 people had been present at their debate, compared with 1300 at Wellington, where the debate was not broadcast. Mr. Aimers suggested that in future It would be advisable to have separate radio debates.

It was decided that the A.U.C. subcommittee should organise and manage the return debate against LeMoyne on October 3, at Auckland.

Mr. Aimers expressed special thanks to the Hon. P. Fraser. Hon. W. Barnard, and Mr. Howard for their assistance in entertaining the visitors.

It was decided that the proceeds of the tour should be placed in a reserve to be used for tours of Australia by N.Z.U. debating teams.

The Executive's report placed on record Its Indebtedness to Mr. Aimers, chairman of the headquarters subcommittee, "whose monumental work has been carried out with an efficiency which has become almost proverbial."

Pity the Poor Public.

A recommendation received from the [unclear: Bledisloe] Medal Oratory Contest Committee suggested limiting the subjects for the contest.

The subject under the present rules must be either "a great man or woman Maori or Pakeha, In New Zealand History." or "a great event in New Zealand History." The question had arisen: "Is the advent of the Labour Government a great event In New Zealand history?" No one could deny that it was, but the committee did not think the contest should be made an occasion for political propaganda. They recommended that the event chosen should be at least ten years old.

Mr. R. W. Edgley said V.U.C. was Strongly against the proposal.

"V.U.C. can see no good reason why political topics and Important Issues should not be discussed," said Mr. Aimers. "Most of the greatest orations In history were concerned with vital current problems."

The C.U.C. delegates said their College was In favour of [unclear: the] recommendation. It was felt that, while debates gave both sides of a question, orations gave only one and therefore the choice of subject for orations should be restricted, had frequently been found that the views of one person were taken by the public and press as those of the College he represented.

The O.U. delegate said he thought Otago would oppose limitation. In his own opinion, the arguments for limitations were overstressed, and could be logically applied to too many oilier things, besides orations.

The chairman pointed out that a speech on "a great man or woman" was equally liable to become propaganda. One of the speakers from O.U. who did not go to the contest bad chosen Mr. Robert Sample as his subject.

On Mr. Aimers' suggestion, it was decided to arrange an Interchange of views between the University societies concerned, the question to be brought up again at the annual meeting.

Fate and the Joynt Scroll.

Mr. Aimers suggested that subjects for the Joynt Scroll Debate be [unclear: chosen] by the N.Z.U.S.A. Executive. At present, the teams [unclear: for sides] but this system Imposed a handicap on teams who might thus be forced to speak In opposition to their own convictions. His recommendation was hold over to be discussed at the annual meeting.

Statistics.

C.U.C. said Canterbury had been very interested in the report of the N.U.S. Congress, and thought other Colleges might be equally interested. They Intended to assist the N.U.S. by collecting statistics concerning the health of students and other matters. The statistics so compiled would be valuable when attempts were being made to secure various concessions for students. It was also intended to publish a handbook dealing with University courses and giving general advice to new students, to be Issued to schools at the end of each year to aid freshers In choosing a course. Support would probably be received from such organisations as the Society of Accountants, the Institute of Chemists, and other concerns interested in vocational guidance. No action by N.Z.U.S.A. was asked for but Canterbury wished to hand on the Idea to other Colleges.

The delegates were impressed with the idea and undertook to bring the matter before their Student Association executives.

Other Business.

The meeting discussed a suggestion by a Californian University Debating Society that a tour of New Zealand be made by two Californian debaters in 1939. Delegates considered such a tour would not he likely to receive sufficient public support next year, and It was decided to invite the Californians to re-open the question in 1940.

O.U. inquired what was the attitude of N.Z.U.S.A. to student representation on College Councils. The secretary. Mr. F. D. Christensen, replied that on a previous occasion the Association had decided to give its support to any College Students' Association working for such representation.

Canterbury Agricultural College was granted affiliation to the Association on the same terms as [unclear: Massera] College. The tournament committee was also granted affiliation.

Other matters considered are reported on [unclear: sport'?] page.

The meeting close? with a vote of, thanks to the chairman, Mr. A. P. Blair. and congratulations to him and Miss Shona Patterson. corresponding member for Auckland, on their engagement.

—H.W.G.