March 2, 1967

Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of VUWSA.

The Economy

If this was a Communist country the Holyoake administration might be tried for economic crimes against the State and punished accordingly.

Being a democracy the worst he can expect for his "economic misdeeds" is an electoral beating in 1969, a reduction in status and salary and, an opportunity to make a comeback three years later.

During the past six years the country has enjoyed rising incomes. For some time it has been clear incomes would not rise at the same rate indefinitely.

Many informed persons, including some in Treasury, have advised Government to conserve some of our record earnings for less fortunate times.

Yet in its wisdom the Government has allowed spending to rise with earnings.

Such a policy is. of course, dependent on continued increased earnings. As soon as earnings cease to rise or fall as they have done in the past six months the folly of the policy becomes clear.

The rate of spending must slow down. An early budget is likely which could increase some taxes and will certainly place a brake on both public and private expenditure.

The universities can expect indefinite delays in building programmes and difficulties in importing equipment for research, etc.

The people will suffer because our leaders favoured their own popularity (however temporary) over measures advocated by economists to solve our economic problems.

Measures that could have averted to a large degree the current situation.

The present economic shambles was predicted and should have been avoided. The fact that it wasn't is an indictment of our Government.

More required

There are two reasons why people come to a university—to become qualified for a job, and to become educated. Recent trends suggest that both staff and students have come close to regarding the two as synonymous.

Every course has been concentrated. More and more is compacted into each unit. The student finds that study demands a growing proportion of his time.

Bursary structure increases pressure, already heavy from a waiting society, for a quick degree completion. There is little time left for anything but study.

While there can be little doubt that these trends upgrade the level of professional training, there are a great many doubts that a better education results.

Education requires time to think, to partake in cultural activity and sport, and even time to sip a friendly drink over a casual conversation. Only in this manner does a developed and sensitive personality emerge.

At the start of a new academic year let us remember that we require more than professional expertise. A matured character and an agile mind are essential. These are not supplied by a grading on a result sheet, G.P.C.