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Salient. Victoria University Students' Newspaper. Volume 39, Number 23. September 20, 1976

Editorial — Students have say on Donations

Editorial

Students have say on Donations

The question of the Students' Association giving donations to outside groups has always been a controversial question on campus, and the present donation to the Black Power Defence Fund is no exception.

In 1972, 2000 students turned up to a Special General Meeting to reverse a decision to give $2000 to the Vietnam Medical Aid Appeal. But the result was similar to last Wednesday's - the money was sent.

It seems that most students support the giving of donations providing the cause is a just one, which should be interesting news for Mr Muldoon who has attempted at least once in the past to legislate against the right of student associations to make any donations they wish.

However, the donation to the Black Power Defence Fund was fought rather more closely because many people picked on the people to whom we were giving the money rather than emphasising the civil liberties cause which we were trying to fight.

It wouldn't have mattered if it was the Black Power gang or the Victoria University Young Nationals, we would still have supported them in a fight against the unlawful assembly charge - a charge that was introduced before the proposed 1973 Springbok Tour to give the police unlimited powers over demonstrations.

But, as was brought home loud and clear on tis occasion, if students want the association to give financial support to a cause, they must ensure that in the process of giving the donation as many students as possible are educated about the cause itself, or else the gift (whether it be $I00 or $1000) will be totally meaningless, and on future occasions it will be used against all manner of other just causes.

John Ryall