Storm in a Samovar

A letter was received from a club at the December meeting announcing, some seven months late, its change of name from "" Social Democrat" Club to "Labour" Club.

Barry Hume stepped in with a motion that Exec not approve the change of name. "No club of ours," he said politely yet firmly, "should have affiliation with any New Zealand political movement We were quite happy to have these people in the Social Democrat Club—but to my mind they shouldn't be called the Labour Club."

As David Davy said: "They might, in an uprising, ruin our good name" Accordingly the Exec voted against the change of name, 7-3. Miss Thompson and Messrs Shaw and Hercus asked to have their dissent recorded.

To the January meeting came Tom Steiner, of the "Labour Club," and a most inflammatory letter from club secretary Terry Kelliher. Mr Davy read the letter with gentle satire. The "Labour" Club particularly resented the (act that no reasons were given for the decision; the refusal was "reactionary," and a great deal more besides.

Mr Steiner, who resembles in carriage the young Bevan, reiterated this and pointed out that the "Labour" Club was prepared to carry the whole matter to the membership, to the Council, yea to the very courts. To our keen delight, Exec was somewhat cowed. There was a motion that the "Labour" Club be called the Labour Club.

"Good God !"' said Hercus, acting chairman, in a rare outburst of blasphemy, "We are a university!" High time. The motion passed.