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Salient. Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Volume 31, Number 17. July 23, 1968

Shades of 1951

Shades of 1951

Sir—The Labour Club released a sheet in support to the Wednesday strike. The reasons given for demonstrating appreared thin enough that we might wonder why they wanted a demonstration.

The first reason was: "A number of individuals of the University feel indignant about the recent decision of the Arbitration Court." Apparently we should demonstrate in support of their opinions, not our own.

The second reason is rather more substantial We should demonstrate because: "the unions are looking to the universities for support." Since when have the unions had any sympathy for students.

We are informed that an undisclosed number of unnamed economics faculty members hold the opinion "that the economy could have stood a slight wage increase". It is of significance that the "slight wage increase" is not given as a percentage. Mr Haas then waffles on about a nonexistent wage freeze which is supposedly holding back the university salaries. He conveniently ignores his statement about "those on the lowest incomes in the society carrying burdens of community economic problems and inflation." Then we have the crowing argument, the persuasion that sweeps all before it: "it is expected the cafeteria will be closed on Wednesday'.

If we didn't know better we would think the Labour Club wanted our presence for some other reason.

R. Holland.