Good Show, Chaps

Congratulations on a well balanced and excellently produced Salient. I found the material interesting and informative, and my earlier fears that the Editors and Publications Officer were and Young Socialist have now been dissipated entirely. Keep up the good work.

Crucify Them!

Sun-staled, sweat-soured, sore-footed, squashed: waiting scene Wednesday 9—1, first day of Arts & Social Sciences secondhand bookstall of the Student Christian Movement. What is the matter with those Christians? They have made quite a bit out of our Annual Bring-and-Buy. Come on, let charity begin at home and give us a bit of organization next time instead of throwing us to the lions (pushers and queue-jumpers).

I am,

Race Report Criticised

I write with regard to the article in the first issue 'Justice and Race'. Firstly, it was shown in 1970 and 71 that Maoris did receive significantly greater sentences, but one 'establishment' reason for this was swept aside as 'doubtful' and 'unproven' i.e. 'Maoris have longer lists of convictions'. Contrary to what the article implies, it is common knowledge that a person with a long list of convictions, Maori or otherwise, will receive a greater sentence than say, a first offender. Therefore, if the writers were so sure of themselves, why was no study carried out of Maori and non-Maori offenders with particular regard to previous convictions and subsequent sentences.

Secondly, I don't believe this article has shown conclusively that discrimination has been occurring against Maori offenders. Looking at table 4 it can be seen that counsel representation for Maoris rose tremendously from 18.1% in 1970 and 71 to 79.2% in 1972 and the subsequent sentences were indeed lighter. This is only natural as every person would be better off if they had a lawyer or some professional counsel.

Now looking at table 2 it can also be seen that in the year 1972 there was a marked difference in percentages of Maoris and non-Maoris going to prison. The position had reversed and there were less Maoris going to prison and from table 1, in 1972, Maori representation was greater than non-Maori by nearly 25%. This suggests to me that this reversal was due to the competence of counsel and indicated there was no reasons to think that racialism existed in previous years.

Furthermore, I stress that if articles of this nature are to be taken seriously, much more reasoned and thorough research will have to be carried out.

I remain anon as a student.

Fellow Traveller Lashes Back

In his "Hand Book" review Professor Philpott comments, "There are many unconsciously funny excerpts such as the comment on the academic staff". "The bulk of academics.....just simply don't know better and genuinely believe what they teach." The professor does not say why he thinks this excerpt (written by Niel Wright C.P.N.Z.) is unconsciously funny. Perhaps he believes that it is ludicrous for anyone to suggest that the omnipotence of the ivory tower may be seriously questioned.

I disagree. Further in his review Philpott states (in italics) "The Pure Marxist view must be refuted". Again he does not say why or how. And what are these "pure 'marxist views" anyway? Maoist? Stalinist? Soviet Revisionists?Trotskyite? It is such shabby writing as this that makes articles like Niel Wright's worth serious consideration. Philpott himself is not 'unconsciously funny', although one could be forgiven for seeing him merely as such. The arrogance of the comfortable intellectual has always been an enemy of the working class. It leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of all progressive people which will one day be ruthlessly spat out.

Don Franks

The Rape of Another Fair Lady

Letter to Salient

The Heaphy is an area of beautiful native N.Z. bush, untouched beaches, scenic rivers, limestone caves and tropical vegetation.

There are plans for the construction of the first two miles of a road through this area by the end of this year. The Heaphy is a scenic park lying approximately between Karamea and Collingwood and at present there is a forty-four mile track going through it, looked after by the forest Service. The Heaphy is on par with the Milford Track and every year thousands come to walk it, stay at the six huts provided and enjoy walking through the country rather than driving over it.

If a road is put through the Heaphy Track it will inevitably destroy the environment. There will undoubtedly follow the usual chorus of "lets convert this now accessible land into farmland" or "lets construct motels and hotels to cater for tourist demands, at the most scenic spots".

This sort of opportunism is against the interests of the New Zealand public. The road is neither economically viable nor necessary. It will link two small towns Karamea and Collingwood each of only 700 inhabitants, between which there is little or no trade. It will not "open up" the West Coast for employment, nor make it more accessible as there is already a route to Nelson of the same length. The locals know this and I have heard excuses for the road such as "it will make it possible for people to bring their caravans to Karamea" or "I want the road so I can go and visit Aunt Thelma in Collingwood". The locals want the road for such indescribably trivial reasons, and must not be allowed to delude the government that this is what the country as a whole wants.

This issue is as important as Manapouri— Sign the petition in the Students' Union or write to Organization to Preserve the Heaphy, Box 2998, Wellington. Don't just sit on your arse doing nothing and then wonder why there's no NZ left untrampled.

from the Organization to save the Heaphy.

Unsettling Seating

Last year I had the extreme misfortune to be allotted examinations both in one of the theatres in the Lecture Block and in a theatre in the new block just below Easterfield. It was my misfortune because;

I discovered that the only way to write an exam in these rooms is to have one foot on the seat next to you with your gear on it, and write on a book carried in for the purpose, and balanced on the other knee.

What worried me is that the same design of desks and seats has been approved of for the new buildings now being constructed around the university.

John Hales.

Glory Be!

Why don't you take all your communistic shit and stick it up your greasy typewriters. "Revolution", "Ruling class", "Capital" — there is nothing else in your paper. Already we have the Socialist Action League and anarchists destroying the University for decent people. Boys and girls should come to study and to find the blessing of Jesus in their hearts. Nothing else matters, everything will vanish and pass away, but the love of God. Praise his name forever!

A Student who has found Christ.

Support the Vietnamese

I was glad to see Salient coming out with a clear statement that the Peace Agreement was a victory for the Vietnamese people. As far as I know your paper was the only one in New Zealand, even among student papers, to do so. Too many people in New Zealand and other western countries failed to appreciate the strength of the Vietnamese and Nixon's weakness. They showed that with all his military hardware, Nixon couldn't beat them.

Now the Vietnamese have got rid of foreign intruders, they will be able to go on to get a genuinely popular government and reunify their country. The anti-war movement here and overseas should support them in their continued struggle, and stop doubting their ability to determine their own future.

Frank Pitcairn.