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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 8, No. 10 July 25, 1945

"Cappicade"

"Cappicade"

The recent attack by a clergyman on the morals of the University as evinced by "Cappicade" has aroused considerable interest. Many people take the view that it is unwarranted intrusion on his part, but the charge has been made and we must reply to it. How far is Rev. Andrews-Baxter justified?

First it must be pointed out that 1945 "Cappicade" was one of the largest and most profitable issues. Whether its tone was responsible, or whether it was mere prestige, the fact remains that it was popular. Yet it is true that there were certain parts at which the meticulously minded might take offence, in particular the "New Yorker" cartoons.

On the whole VUC students do not object to that type of thing. Their reputation for broadmindedness is widespread. In spite of a morality which is probably higher than in the equivalent age group of the country at large, there are few who are "not amused" at "Cappicade."

The opinion of many thoughtful students is that there is nothing sinful in jokes about sex. It is probably worse to repress it. If it is made taboo, it is driven from its natural position in life. To try to ignore its existence is a hangover from the Victorian era. From that point of view "Cappicade" does not offend for it is no different from "Esquire," or "Man," or a hundred other magazines.

But whatever we as a body may think of it, the public judges us by it. Many potential readers of "Cappicade" have very strict views on what should or what should not be paraded in public. There are many, of course, who delight in the "suggestiveness" of the book. Yet for the sake of the reputation of the University it is probably better to fail to satisfy the purient than to risk the disfavour of those who find it offensive.

That their morality should be judged from "Cappicade" seems absurd to the students. We know that there are many things more seriously wrong with us than a slightly low sense of humour. "Salient" has made a policy of pointing them out. But whilst there are people who are prepared to judge us solely from such trivial evidence we must do our best to convince them that VUC is not a den of vice.