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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 20, No. 7. 30th May, 1957

Storm Over the Tasman

Storm Over the Tasman

"At the International Students Conference at Ceylon last year, Australian and New Zealand delegates, although usually cooperating, on this occasion strongly disagreed on a major issue"

"Salient", 4/3/57.

The differences between us and our nearest neighbours were fully aired at the Easter N.Z.U.S.A. Council meeting. The presence of Mr. Thomas of Australia (there on a different mission, see elsewhere) was used to clear this matter up.

It would appear the major trouble was that Australia had the impression that N.Z.U.S.A. was a fairly reactionary body in its relations with Asian and African countries. Although Mr. Thomas declared that, after hearing the views of N.Z. students as presented at the Council, he was sure that basically our views are the same and N.Z.U.S.A. is reasonably liberal. Salient felt that there is no smoke . . . etc., and suspected that the delegation, led be Mr. Boag of A.U.C., was unnecessarily narrowminded.

There had been a gentlemen's agreement that Australia and New Zealand would not stand against each other for posts; early in the conference, although it was known that the Aussies keenly wanted to get on a minor committee, N.Z. opposed them. When [unclear: the major] committee came up the Supervision Committee, N.Z. felt that it was our turn to stand. Australia, however, did not want to be associated with our narrow-minded approach, and furthermore realised as the voting showed, that they had a better chance of being elected.

Accordingly, to our grievance, they also stood, and neither were elected.

The main two issues specially raised, were Algerian complaints, and attempts to get on the Supervision Committee. N.Z. took the view that Algerian complaints at attacks on University freedom, and discrimination against natives, lacked sufficient documentation. Australia maintained that full evidence was available, in a document earlier circulated, in press reports, in French admissions. In the vote, as on all occasions where there was A.N.Z disagreement. New Zealand voted with the European blec.

V.U.C. Gives Lead

It is to be hoped that in future N.Z.U.S.A. will take a more generous line of approach towards the genuine grievances of oppressed countries, as the result of a major policy suggestion made at length by our able delegation.

V.U.C.S.A. maintained that too much time at Council was taken on International Affairs in relation to local problems, especially since delegates did not appear, to be as well briefed on these issues as would be necessary for constructive comments. First responsibility should be to the students in New Zealand. Only when N.Z.U.S.A. have exhausted all such matters as bursaries, and education, should it turn to overseas material. And even here it should strictly keep to its present field of S.E. Asia. It would, therefore, be [unclear: urise] to attempt to get on the Supervisory Committee, which would only dissipate its attention, and particularly since Australia seems better fitted for the job. (This was subsequently agreed to by the Council.) V.U.C.S.A. felt that our overseas policy should mainly be concerned with increasing contacts and giving technical and material assistance.

The Council further passed a V.U.C. motion that: "New Zealand delegates to the I.S.C. should take every step to encourage support in all quarters for a reasonably liberal and consistent interpretation of the Principles of Cooperation". This motion appeared to especially relate to the Principle:

"That problems involving fundamental human rights and concerning education, .student need . . etc., shall be considered only if adequate documentation is made available . . ."

V.U.C.'s statements made a good impression and doubtless will be further developed at the next Council meeting.

G.A.W.