For those who Didn't Vote…

Despite publicity, students showed little interest in the elections. This is, I know, not unusual but in my ingenuousness I had hoped that this year things would have been different. Those statistically inclined may be interested to know that some 30% of those on the roll exercised their option. These 239 men and 102 women are to be congratulated, but the remaining 800 students on the roll who did not vote, well—on their heads should rest the blame for VUC being designated just a mere night school—evidently that is their opinion of it. Of those who did vote, in many cases they didn't even know of the candidates. Just whether this is to be taken as a reflection on the candidates or on the voter is not for me to say. Blind indifference was shown to voting instructions, resulting in 19 men voting papers being held informal and 2 women's. Last year the women outnumbered the men in this respect and not a few cutting jibes were made at their expense—"not fit to exercise a vote," etc.,—this year I must hang my head in shame and admit that we men cannot even count up to four.

The whole electoral set up is out of date, designed for a College roll of 500 voters, and an overhaul is overdue. Two polling booths are now necessary and the voting itself should be conducted on the strict Nansen preferential system. However, if voters continue to show their present apathy I admit that any improvements are useless. I had thought that there was a recrudescence of interest in Varsity affairs this year but the meager display of it in these elections has given the lie to that. Finally. I do deplore the lack of concern shown by full-timers in College affairs, an interest which must be shown if Varsity is to become that force in civic life that it is maintained it should be; so once again we see part-time students bearing the burthen of Exec work.