Alas no Lyrics

Sir,—I was gratified to see a short article in the last issue of "Salient" pointing out the most obvious lack in this "Cappicade." Might I be permitted to add my own comments.

My own particular grouch concerns the programme for "Extrav." While accepting the explanation, which seems to be adequate, for the publication of a separate programme, I wish to protest most strongly against the elimination of the usual lyrics from this programme. I have not been able to check up further back than 1941. But since then some or all of the lyrics from Extrav have been printed with Cappicade; in fact, in 1948, when a special programme was printed for the Napier trip, the songs formed part of that programme. Even last year, when the melodies were not known to the general public, they carried out the usual policy of printing the lyrics whereas this year, when well-known tunes were used, this policy was not carried out. We can only hope that this omission will not be repeated.

D.

A Disappointed Contributor ? ? ?

Sir,—Might I say how much I agree with Vaux' article on Cappicade. I was a seller on the day, and, unfortunately, I sold to my friends. Everyone of them that I have since met has reproached me for doing so, warmly assuring me that it's the last time they'll ever buy it. I do not think that Cappicade need necessarily be a collection of scribbling from the walls of the conveniences round town; but, as Vaux said, whatever the jokes, let them be funny . . . and they weren't.

Silly B.

Despard on the V.P.

Sir,—There are a few matters in the last issue in connection with N.Z.U.S.A. conference which need clarification. It is not correct to state that Salient's reporter was present for only 2-3 hours of a conference which lasted for 3½ days. I was present for nearly two complete sessions, between 6-7 hours of a conference which lasted for about 19 hours. It was not made clear how long Conference would remain in committee (over the Sharma issue) when Conference adjourned and other student activities were in progress.

Mr. O'Brien's statement over the policy change in Salient he foretold in Victoria's report to Conference is still rather unclear. Mr. O'Brien quoted the opinion of the Editor of the first issue of Salient which he and the majority of the present executive declined to re-appoint and ignored the contrary view expressed by the present Editor of the paper. The present Editor so far from envisaging a departure from previous policy has stated his willingness to adhere to it, at least, as defined in the terms of Old Timers letter in the first issue of this year. I cannot imagine his reasons for prefer, ring: the opinion of an Editor he and the executive had no confidence in to the one appointed in his stead.

"Despard."

Vaux Pas?

Sir,—The comments of "Vaux" concerning this year's Cappicade are typical of the "sideline" activity so prevalent in this college. May I point out to "Vaux" that the Wellington public is not like the proverbial elephant—there have been poor Extravs before today—with no appreciable influence on attendances the following year. John Citizen will usually gamble on getting something for his shilling. Further the exceptional sales this year were due more to the energy and organisation of the sellers than to any "sympathy" on the part of the Wellington public.

The standard of Cappicade was undoubtedly higher this year. No doubt in Wellington's 200,000 there are sufficient people to appreciate this in a tangible way next year. Why should Cappicade pander to the lowest level. If the public wants its bobs worth of smut let it get it at Railway Bookstalls.

I would like to congratulate editor Paul Cotton and his few (oh so few) assistants, for breaking the insidious tradition of low level humour in Cappicade. I agree that a sprinkling of lavatory humour can add spice to a publication of this kind—-but why wallow in it.

I will also agree with "Vaux" that Cappicade should not be left to the few—but anyone who felt that they could write for Cappicade were continuously approached by the Editor before the publication came out, which, on the whole "Vaux" is a better time to do so.

"Nga Nath Phaceil."

Sidarella Plus Pickaxe

Sir,—The implication in the tone of the dailies reviews, that Sidarella was one of those noisy but hilarious efforts of the naughty young students, was accurate enough. Sidarella was occasionally witty, but its humour, on the whole, was that of the pickaxe rather than the rapier. I, for one, sighed for the palmy days of Peter Pansy. There were a couple of really funny lines (McKartho's "I'm Just Mad About Harry" and Frank Curtin's "Anyway they're not going to get the Sudan"), and a couple of good lyrics, such as "Much Doodling," but on the whole the performance was pedestrian, and relied heavily on the favourite old vulgarities. It was noticeable that the first-night audience, at any rate, had only one encore, for the men's ballet, which was about the funniest thing in the show; and they certainly did not feel as badly about UNO as did Messrs. Bollinger, McNeil, and Piper. Two small things: several references were in really bad taste—e.g., some of the cracks about the Korean war, and the reference on the programme to Helen Keller. And the beetle in the interval had palled a little in humour since its appearance last year.

"M.A. Graduate."

Abbo-Erration

Sir,—As a student also recently returned from Australia may I contradict the absurd statement of Doug Foy in his address to the Socialist Club, that the policy of the Australian Government is the extermination of the aborigine.

It is a difficult problem and their rights are not the same as those granted to our Maori friends. Many people are dissatisfied with their treatment but the fact is that aborigines, as a general rule, do not take kindly to an ordered life, are not thrifty nor industrious.

More evidence will be necessary before it can be proved that the policy is one of extermination. The aborigines receive an allowance and food. New camps are being built and attempts are being made to educate them.

It is true that the Government policy can be criticised but it cannot be called one of extermination.

Travel and Exchange

page 7

Capitalism for Comrades?

Sir,—In your editorial of "Salient" May 24 you state that Communism as an ideology is dead. I feel however that ideologically it is very much alive as it is now at the forefront of the forces of reaction that have always plagued the world. Like all other human movements, once the idea behind it dies then it atrophies and while it is true that the Marxian conception of a classless society is as dead as the common common room, it has been replaced with the spirit of a ruthless imperialism that gives Communism a life based on greed and exploitation. Ironically, therefore, it nows holds the same appeal as Capitalism but instead of the entrepreneur and financial holding the power it is the leading Party member who is promised the parasitical status of the playboy rich.

A scanty observation of a Communistic society as exemplified in Russia today will show to what depths of reaction the ideology of Communism has sunk; the slave camps to purge society of the progressives; the adulation and hysterical monstrosity of Stalin worship and the smug complacency of the Party bosses who feed the masses on statistics to keep them, if not happy, at least filled with the contentment of the stable. In its degradation of humanity it has become even lower than Fascism which at least seeks the good of the nation whereas Communism now is but the exploitation of humanity for the sake of a clique of greedy men.

A.A.N.