Although its activities nearly ended in an embarrassing shambles, the Exec. delegation to Palmerston North was more or less successful.

The main idea was to help the new University College students in the organization of their Stud. Ass. The main problem was that, by regulation, P.N. students are Victoria's students and as such must be under, at least, the nominal rule of Vic's. Exec. This, together with a few ill-chosen words in the proposed constitution ("subsidiary and subservient") raised many nasty little doubts and suspicions in some Palmerstonian hearts already burning with a desire for freedom and independence from Vic's. "big stick." There appears to be three main factions at work on the P.N. student scene. Firstly, the biggest—the P.N. Teachers' Training College, which has by far the larger representation on the roll of the new college. Secondly, the most vociferous and most militant, Massey Agricultural College, some of whose members are taking subsidiary arts units to broaden their outlook. Thirdly, the innocent minority, the four full-timers and straight part-timers owing allegiance to neither of the former factions.

Hostile Atmosphere

The meeting called to discuss the P.N. student problems had quite a hostile atmosphere, with the chairman, John Hercus, having difficulty in retaining the chair in the face of motions requesting a change of chairman, etc.—motions which, needless to say, he would not accept.

However, when Vic's. position was made quite clear—that she had had this responsibility thrust upon her and intended to relinquish as much as possible of it as soon as possible— things became much happier, with the opposing groups actually smiling at one another and even better—at the Exec. delegation.

As the various constitutional points were hammered out in an increasingly more amicable atmosphere, the faction leaders began to emerge and it became clearer who would be most likely to form the proposed interim committee. The thorniest question of all, the tournament representation, was very easily got over with a nice little Vic.-Massey compromise, any problems arising to be referred to the soon-to-be-elected interim committee.

The chairman then adjourned the meeting for ten minutes to allow it some discussion on the formation of the committee. When it resumed it heard a few wise words to the young from Uncle ("Briefly") Don Brooker regarding the representations of all bodies of thought on the committee. Play the game and don't block vote. Training College, who could easily have done this (they far outnumbered the farmers) showed admirable restraint.

The meeting elected as its interim committee: Don Langridge (Training College president) us the new college president; Don Orwin (Massey), vice-president; B. Griffifths (Training College and ex-Canterbury), as secretary; committee, Robin Bromley (SCM and ex-Canterbury), Juliet Fancourt (full-time and lovely).

This committee is to hold office until the first A.G.M. in June. Between now and then it's going to be busy if the amount of work "referred to it" by the first meeting is any indication.