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Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Vol 35 no. 22. 14th September 1972

Mere Words Professor

Mere Words Professor

Sir,

Professor Philpott's letter of the 5th September, in reply to Mr Peter Wilson's letter certainly needs closer examination generally and further clarification by the Professor.

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into Social Security sat in N.Z. for 2½ years hearing submissions. If, as Professor Philpott asserts in his letter "my own preference is in this region for the highest possible level of social expenditure", why then over the period of 2¾ years did he not make a single submission to this Royal Commission on the principles he allegedly says he is convinced of and supports?

The Hon. Mr Justice McCarthy described at the opening of the Commission in September 1969 - "As being at the very marrow and heart of our N.Z. way of life". Could any statement be more clear and explicit of the significance of the Commission's job? I believe the learned Judge has been Chairman of some 5 Royal Commissions, and is known as a person for his wide social concerns.

The Report of this Inquiry states on page 10, item 36:

"We were however, disappointed that a wider interest was not shown by the Universities in problems which we would have expected to have been of major concern to social scientists in the academic community"

Royal Commission reports are generally couched in careful conservative English but this conclusion is startlingly clear.

Will the learned Professor please therefore give some cogent reasons why, as a leading N.Z. professional living in N.Z. for this 2¾ year period and now occupying a major Chair at Victoria University, he failed to make a single submission in view of the professed views he holds? Also, has he yet studied carefully in detail in the time an academic has to do these things and, in fact, is paid so to do, compared to the lay person. Is this Report, and the submission to the Royal Commission by Dr. W.B. Sutch, called the Responsible Society in N.Z. and widely commented by the Commission for further study and wider reading required reading for his students?

It is unfortunate, but thoughtful, sincere people can only remain very sceptical indeed of the Professors so called social views or values, more particularly so from the position he occupies in N.Z.

It can only be assumed therefore:
1.The Professor is, to be blunt, merely mouthing words on the issues.
2.Not at all genuinely interested in the subject.
3.He approves of Poor Law 19th Century Supplementary Means Tests.

A. McDonald.