Scholarships

It was moved Victoria, seconded Canterbury that NZUSA ascertain that the criteria for scholarships awarded to Malaysian students are fairly based on considerations of merit alone. Also that NZUSA affirms that overseas students studying in New Zealand are to be regarded as NZ students and must not be subjected to interference either by their home Governments or the NZ Government."

These motions were passed after some of the constituents affirmed that where Malaysian-Singapore students had joint clubs there had definitely been pressure from the Malaysian Government for them to separate.

At Auckland the joint club had taken a vote: result: 264 : 14 in favour of staying together after receiving a letter from the Malaysian High Commission demanding the club to break up.

At Otago Mike Anderson (International Officer) said "The Malaysians have kicked the Singapore students out and set up their own separate organisation".

NZUSA President, Peter Rosier, spoke up strongly on this issue when he said "We must make our views plain on such an issue as this."

"It's a matter of principle— that we do not like this sort of activity in interference of students with whom we feel a degree of responsibility."

The remainder of the discussion was held in committee.