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Editorial

Getting Together

The proposal to merge tertiary educational student bodies into one is an idea which will probably prove in the best interests of all concerned. There may be considerable teething troubles however, in achieving the goal.

All the bodies concerned have the same broad aims, that of ensuring that the most suitable educational facilities are provided for them, and that their internal needs are adequately ministered for. At present all the student tertiary educational bodies are fragmented, consequently they are correspondingly weaker in negotiating.

In a national union of students incorporating all these bodies, there could be a force to be reckoned with; one potentially more powerful than the present, somewhat moribund New Zealand University Students Association. The influence of the teachers colleges with their fund of what ought to be expert knowledge on educational problems will give NZUSA an asset which it needs. Student pleas would come from a broader base than at present, and thus be increased in effectiveness.

NZUSA, some would have us believe, would be swamped to the detriment of University students in this organisation. Such an argument is fundamentally emotive, and ought to be rejected accordingly. If we create a more effective organ, better able to serve our interests, then we have gained. Having a less shifting population than the teachers colleges and the other tertiary groups, we would no doubt remain the dominant force anyway.

Nevertheless, this idea which is not only currency, but reality overseas will face difficulties in translation into reality in New Zealand.

The committee of the resident executive of NZUSA which must ponder the idea, will have to work out how to decide the jurisdiction of the body. Who will pay for it? How? What activities will come under its wing? It is fairly obvious that there is little room for expansion in tournaments, which are already noticeably unwieldy. Will there be complications in having a full time NZUSA president, as projected? Will university students have to "carry" other less competent members? Teacher college organisations at the moment do not appear to be as highly developed as student associations. Will the principle of "in loco parentis" be the cause of conflict between the student body, and the solicitous training staffs? Can the idea get the support it needs from the various student bodies, or will it perish like Icarus who flew too high?