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Coup D'Etat?

The revelation of Otago's manoeuvres at NZUSA Conference to put Rev. Sullivan in charge of Students' Congress 1950 has been received by VUC students with all the manifestations of utter astonishment. Members of VUCSA Executive and others closely associated with the first Congress registered strong indignation at the prospect of having Congress in the hands of its most vigorous opponent.

The only non-student in the last Congress organisation, Rev. Sullivan was asked to serve on the NZUSA Sub-committee in an attempt to get a broadly representative gathering at Curious Cove. This privilege he abused by making a highly misleading statement to the press designed to discredit the Curious Cove gathering and any future attempts.

We can do nothing but go on record as completely rejecting the procedure adopted by OU at the NZUSA Conference. Nominations for Congress Controller were not called for; none of the other colleges had instructed their delegates in the matter; the election was a surprise move.

Massey and Lincoln delegates stated they were not interested in Congress; CUC has not paid their last year's subscription and refuse to do so. It was the votes of these three groups who have not sufficient interest to support the venture that appointed Rev. Sullivan, in face of vigorous opposition of AUC and VUC.

We can gauge the extent of OU's real interest in Congress by the fact that they moved that Congress Remits be voted on without discussion.

When weighing no this situation we must bear in mind that Rev. Sullivan's relationship to the University and the Students' Association has never been formalised. The Association, by motion in Executive has aligned itself with the NZUSA Congress Subcommittee decision to avoid entrusting any future student activity to Rev. Sullivan.

We feel that VUC cannot under any circumstances support a person who has done them great disservice in the past and who has no established ties making him responsible to them for his actions.