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Colombo Plan Clause

Salient Reporter

The Prime Minister, Mr. Holyoake, does not intend to seek any amendment to the clause in the Colombo Plan admission regulations which directs overseas students to refrain from political activities.

He makes this clear in a state­ment to Student Press Association head, Tony Haas.

Mr. Haas had requested the repeal of the clause and a clarifi­cation of the government position.

In an article written for the Malaysian Student Association newsletter at their request, and supplied to Mr. Holyoake for com­ment, Mr. Haas argued for the repeal of the clause.

He stated that overseas students were over-cautious, and self-restrained as a result, that the clause was redundant from the New Zealanders' point of view, the existing law well covering the position, and that the clause could infringe the civil liberties of the students.

"I believe that the free exchange of ideas and opinions among students and staff is a most impor­tant part of university life," Mr. Holyoake said in reply.

"In my view, the majority of overseas students can be relied on to exercise a wise discretion just as the majority of people in New Zealand gladly accept students without regard to political considerations.

"If there were no limitations, however," Mr. Holyoake said, "it might occasionally be difficult for immature students to avoid be­coming embroiled in public con­troversies either with New Zea­landers or among themselves."

Mr. Holyoake drew attention to the use of the clause referred to in the ordinary nomination form used by all the member countries of the Colombo Plan and the Special Commonwealth African assistance plan.

Following Mr. Holvoake's reply, NZUSA is to investigate the matter. Inquiries will be made to students' associations overseas.