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Annual General Meeting—

A Horrible State of Chassis

About 150 students, armed with Annual Reports, Balance Sheets and copies of the Constitution were present at the 1946 Annual General Meeting held in the Gym on Wednesday, June 19. The news that the Executive Elections had been annulled caused quite a stir, and due to the constitutional difficulties arising from the position, the meeting had to be adjourned until Thursday 27.

As soon as the minutes of the last ACM had been taken as read, the Returning Officer, Mr. Pierse, announced that earlier in the evening the elections had been declared invalid subsequent to a discovery that one of the ballot boxes was in imperfect condition. In answer to a question he said that the discovery was made on Monday. There was a discrepancy between the number of papers issued and the number returned, and, since the election was very close, neither he nor his scrutineers felt justified in signing the results.

When the murmurs of consternation had died down the chairman moved the adoption of the Annual Report and Balance Sheet.

With reference to the Joynt Scroll debate, Mr. O'Brien tabled the following motion:—

""That the following be included in the Annual Report:—'The judges have recommended that the joynt Scroll rules be amended in such a manner that the resulting judgments will he based on the debating merits of the team, rather than on the ability of the team members to deliver prepared speeches'."

—Passed.

Speaking on the Exam. Fees Case. Mr. Campbell said a deputation had waited on the Registrar, and he expected some results from the July meeting of the Senate. He fell "Salient" could publish more NZUSA news. Miss Janet Bogle was to represent NZUSA at the International Students' Association Congress in Prague this year. Also, there was no hope of erecting the Stud. Ass, building for at least five years.

After some further discussion by Mr. Daniell on the gymnasium, the Annual Report was unanimously adopted.

An amendment to the constitution will allow the award of blues to the Men's Basketball Club.

Rising immediately. Mr. Milburn deplored the action taken by Mr. Poole in writing to the printers of "Salient" asking them to publish a statement withdrawing the Editorial "Our Judgment." "We are very fortunate in having our contract with Commercial Print'" he said "and if it were not for them, 'Salient might never appear." At a special emergency meeting, the Exec, had later ratified Mr. Poole's action—accordingly he felt bound to move the following motion:—

"That this meeting deploring the net in taken by the Secretary of the Association, in writing to the printer of 'Salient' attempting to coerce him into publishing an unconditional statement, wishes to pass a strong vote of censure on him for his action, and also on the Executive for later ratifying the sending of this letter."

In reply, Mr. Poole stated that the printer would be reimbursed for the issue, but he could not let pass another attack on himself. The motion had been passed by the Exec, and Mr. Milburn knew about it.

The editorial in question exceeded editorial licence and Mr. Milburn had admitted it to a meeting of the Exec, members who had resigned. Under the circumstances he felt that the action the Exec, had taken was entirely justified.

Now the fight raged—very often far away from the point—and involving grave issues of policy.

Mr. Johnstone raised the question of the independence of "Salient." Quoting the constitution, Mr. McCreary demonstrated that there was nothing that limited the freedom of the editor. In his opinion Mr. Poole had grossly overstepped the mark. Mr. Dowrick consumed a few of Mr. Poole's herrings. "'Salient' is an independent organ." said Mr. Collins. Mr. Poole and the Exec, had no right to act as they did.

Mr. Campbell wished that the motion could be withdrawn. "There are faults on both sides—enough dirty linen has been washed in public." Replying to this, and a previous statement, Mr. Milburn said that he had offered to the resigning members to withdraw the editorial if they would withdraw their resignations. This was refused. If the motion did not stand, the whole student body would stand indicted on Mr. Poole's act.

Mr. O'Brien stated that he supported the motion, not because of any sympathy he held for Mr. Milburn's arguments, but because he felt that Mr. Poole had not acted in the correct manner in writing to the printer. As the letter dealt with matters of business procedure including the payment of accounts, he felt that he should have been consulted in his capacity of Business Manager, while he also thought that he should have been consulted by Mr. Milburn on the matter. He supported the motion as an important principle of procedure and as a matter of precedent.

Mr. Winchester stated that " 'Salient' was originally founded as an independent organ—hence its virility compared with the sterile papers of other NZU colleges."

"The Exec, was out of order in demanding the publication of the letter," said Mr. Bogle. "Now is a good time to pass a vote of no-confidence in the whole Executive."

Final speaker to the motion. Mr. Daniell, considered that some residuary control over "Salient" was necessary.

The motion was then put and carried by 94 votes to 15, whereupon Mr. Poole tendered his resignation to the President.

Some discussion on the editorial policy of "Salient" followed.

A motion of confidence was passed in the editor and another motion asking that a letter of apology be written to the printer. The President then closed the discussion.

The funds of the defunct Literary Society and Haeremai Club were transferred to the general account, and Mr. Poole moved that £500 of the building fund be invested In Government Stock.

Finally, Mr. O'Brien moved a strong recommendation that the incoming Exec, reinvestigate the possibilities of a change of site for the College. This was passed.

In view of the constitutional difficulties which might arise, it was decided to ajourn the meeting until Thursday week, when the results of, the new elections would be available.

Motion at the Biological Society—That the committee shall consist of three, members, one of which must he cither male or female.—Heomaphroilltes or Eunuchs?