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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol 7, No. 2 April 13, 1944

No-Man's Land

No-Man's Land

Contributors are reminded that name and address must accompany each contribution. We may be compelled to shorten letters of more than 250 words. Opinions expressed are purely those of the writers.

Dear Sir,—

May I congratulate Mr. D. Cohen on his letter in the first issue of this year's "Salient." I have since discussed this matter with students and from these discussions would like to make a few pertinent suggestions.

I believe, with Mr. Cohen, that a Progressive Club or Association is very necessary, in order to "pep up" the University student life. I also believe that the Students' Association Executive would welcome such a move, as they too must be handicapped by the existing student apathy. If Mr. Cohen were to approach a few enthusiasts from various clubs, I am sure a pro-tem committee could be set up, with a view to organising a mass meeting of students in order to foster more interest in the various college activities.

My personal opinion is that the secondary school authorities should be approached with a view to properly outlining exactly what is expected of students coming to the University. While sport and college activities are regimented at the secondary schools, freshers are not compelled to be actively engaged in University affairs. This apparent freedom is misconstrued by freshers and the first duty of a Progressive Club should be the immediate correction of such views.

I look forward to the formation of such a body and would like to take this opportunity of offering my services in any capacity whatsoever in order to bring to fruition a Progressive Club or Association.—Yours faithfully.

Stan Campbell.

Sir,—

In your last issue n review appeared which regretted that the contents of "Spike" "were not New Zealand literature at all." I should like to suggest that this need" not be a serious drawback. The pattern of life in New Zealand still bears a considerable resemblance to the pattern of life in other English-speaking countries. For instance, solemn diehards still pass collection plates in churches; ladies at afternoon teas still make remarks which have a distinct flavour of Jane Austen's novels; household pets flourish abundantly. If a writer prefers to draw his material from these sources, instead of from sheep stations, native bush and Maoris, does his choice detract from the merits (or add to the demerits) of his work?

Again, your reviewer seems to as same that literature ought to be an expression of the national spirit. I would not wish to maintain that there is no value whatsoever in a distinctly national literature—it is indeed very pleasant to discover a novel or play that captures the peculiar atmosphere of the country in which, or the set of people among whom, one happens to live. But after all, is not the greatest work universal in appeal? Do we think less highly of the Sermon on the Mount, or the sublimest passages in Plato's "Republic" because "From internal evidence it would be difficult to discover its country of origin?"—Yours, etc.,

Avis Mary Dry.

Dear Sir,—

I am sure that the idea of inaugurating a progressive club will interest many students who find the social life of the college inadequate. I for one would welcome an opportunity to discuss and criticise, together with students from all the various faculties, matters concerning college life generally.

Such a club would admirably help the college to attain its rightful place as a centre of progressive thought and action in the community. Of thought we have ample, as anyone will discover after being in the cafeteria for five minutes, but, as Andre Maurois has so wisely warned us, thought without action is useless.

First, however, we must cease to regard the College as a night-school and by our joint efforts transform it into a community of real importance in our lives. This we can accomplish only by establishing friendly contact with our executive and with each other, through the medium of sucli a club as that which is envisaged.

Many I think will concur with me in the belief that a college such as ours, with a large percentage of part-time students drawn from all branches of economic life, is well suited to reflect the social problems of our times, and at the same time to act as the vanguard of progressive movements. Only, however, when each of us realises and accepts our responsibility, not only to cur college, but to our country, will the University in New Zealand be worthy to rank with universities such as those in China, which have so nobly inspired the Chinese people in the travails of war. It is with this thought in mind that I earnestly hope the progressive club will receive whole-hearted support from all thinking students.—Yours, etc.,

Joy Hallen, V.U.C.

Dear Sir,

—The distribution of Blues, seven for Football, ten for Men's Hockey and one for Harriers, would lead one to the conclusion that the efforts of the Harrier Club were below the standard set by other sports clubs in the College.

In the 1943 season the V.U.C. Harriers were second only to Scottish in local competition and the N.Z.U. Tournament was won by Victoria. The Hockey and Football Clubs also did well, although the Football Club's 3rd in the Senior B Grade was not outstanding.

In University competition the Football team was beaten by both Auckland and Canterbury and, in Hockey. V.U.C. was only 3rd equal in the May Tournament.

Consequently a more even distribution of Blues would be expected. This can only be done if the sports clubs will accept the responsibility of recommending only those who definitely deserve a Blue. This decision should be made by the clubs; putting the onus on the Blues Committee to decide doubtful cases is a very undesirable form of laziness.—Yours, etc.,

Ian Mcdowell.