Peter Wilson — President

In my last Election Manifesto I made the following statement, "The past year has shown that the Students' Association cannot afford equivocating leadership. Nor on the other hand can we afford dictatorial officers. My position at all times and on all issues will be clear, but decisions on all matters of policy will be referred to SRC's and SGM's. All such policy will be upheld and enacted promptly." In fulfilling my duties as President for 1973, I have always upheld this fundamental principle and will continue to do so if re-elected. I believe this is the only way to guarantee an "open" Students' Association which docs not mean an Association whose policies find agreement among all, but one where all have the opportunity to determine what policies the Association has.

During this year the Association provided the first concrete support to student parents in the form of extra creche facilities in the Union Building. It has supported calls for the development of studies in Maori language, the environment and greater student say in the selection of law faculty staff. It has strengthened and enlarged its prerogatives in the field of the actual intellectual work students perform. The development of student groups which are considering questions such as assessment, the establishment of the "learning exchange" - this is the type of activity which shall continue to have my wholehearted support.

Similarly, student dissatisfaction with aspects of the Welfare Services in the university can only be relieved by increasing the degree of student involvement in decisions in this field. Concrete moves in this direction have already been taken. At the same time the Association and I in my capacity as President, have provided strong support for organisations such as Nga Tamatoa, the Tenants' Protection Association and the Wellington Committee on Vietnam. Because the character of the university is tightly linked to the character of the society of which it is a part, it follows that uniting the elements which are working for change in both is the only way of ultimately achieving a real transformation in either. The lack of continuity in Students' Association personnel is undoubtedly a major problem in advancing a practical strategy of this kind.

I have also chosen to stand again because the role of the universities is obviously undergoing reappraisal and change. A major educational development conference is planned for next year. It is vital that students be represented by people who can uphold their interests against the liberal-conservative consensus which, in practice, always works to the detriment of those interests in the course of making education a tougher means of enforcing the social authority of the status quo.

Finally, the unsatisfactory situation in the area of cafeteria facilities is something for which I must accept my share of responsibility. The problem has still to be effectively tackled, though the reconsideration of the catering contract which is now due, must result in improved facilities if the problem is not to be handed down from one year to the next. If I am re-elected President for 1974 I would obviously be doubly concerned to see that this did not happen.