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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 11. May 23 1977

Executive

page 5

Executive

Executive

"Abandon hope all you who enter here". Aye Dante but fool that I was I entered into yet another Exec meeting. As Sir Walter Scott put it: "The hour is come but not the Woman Vice President". And we shortly found out why.

Farewell Brave Heart

In his report Kevin Swann (Secretary) read a letter from Catherine Paterson stating that owing to pressure of work and personal circumstances she could no longer be WVP. Her resignation was accepted "with regret". It can only be hoped that her successor will look upon her responsibilities a little more realistically and with a great deal more enthusiasm than she did.

Kevin also received a letter from a Latter Day Saint requesting permission to erect a display in the area between the cafe and the Studass office, or some similar space. They also requested that a couple of them be able to be present to answer questions and the like. This received a blow on the head from the Exec. The Latter Day Saints, like any religious or commercial group, are welcome to hire a Union room but they felt that to concede to this request would not best serve student interest. Phrases like "once you let one in..." were voiced.

At the Wheel

In his report and plaster Peter Thrush informed the meeting that whilst returning a mini tanker to the brewery, from a Capping event he did a few 360 turns he had not intended. Peter assured the meeting that it was unlikely that the Association would have to fork out any money, however. Also on Capping and crutches he reported that a good time had been had by one and all at the Capping Ball.

At the moment Peter (Sports Officer) is investigating the establishment of an Aero club. If enough people are interested and have enough money the Wellington District Aero club might be convinced that a discount is called for.

What's More

As well as imitating as a 'dog's body' Neil Gray attended the International Student Conference, which he said was "one of the most progressive and unitary congresses" that he had attended. He is doing preliminary work for an event which every Trevor worth his gumboot would attend i.e. a hop.

Confusion

Applications for Student director of Student Services Holdings are open. Person with initiative, ability apply with-in... This part of the meeting had plenty of initials like SSH and IITWU as well as big words and I must admit that I am a Bear of very little brain and big words bother me.

Gerard Couper had nothing to report, nothing to say, Gerald Sharrock was absent, Peter Gilkison hadn't done much either, doesn't sound too good maties. The ones who had the least to report lengthened their reports by piling praise on May Council and the ISC.

Lindy gave a quick report on May Council. She, along with the other Exec members who were there, felt the Victoria delegation had done very well. A large part of Vic's policy had been passed. Peter Gilkison said that Vic was "one of the largest delegations. Well done Lindy... you were a good organiser".

"Good organiser? Yea I say unto you, and more than a good organiser - an uncommon pretty young woman".

Lindy gave a brief outline of new NZUSA plicy and priorities for this coming period. Such things as the Abortion Campaign Bursaries, Student Travel and the Malaysian Student Cutbacks Campaign headed the list.

On the Bursary issue it was decided the National Day of Action (June 15) would go ahead - but without the march.

Steve Underwood informed the meeting that the May Council had been a big splash for the Association and would cost the troops a pretty penny. Something in the region of $1500 or 3,000,000 wine gums or 30,000 small blocks of cheese. He agreed that a big delegation payed worthwhile dividends but thought 14 delegates possibly too many. Lindy said the experience gained by those who went down was a legacy it was only wise to bequeath to the future and a large delegation was also important for a healthy Council.

Arts Council

Andy Moore-Jones (sho is resigning from the National Exec of NZSAC) informed the meeting that he was the only delegate to eulogize Arts Council. Somewhere around this time Steve Underwood took out his rapier and lunged another lengthy attack on Arts Council. Steve's idea is that, given the fact that Arts Council has been reorganised by Rogets Thesarus as a synonymn for financial loss its activities should be controlled. General idea being that at the meeting this weekend (21-22 May) NZSAC be reconstructed. A Finance sub-committee could be set-up of I representative (treasureer) from each constituent and the director of NZSAC being the chairperson. By doing this NZSAC activities could be controlled by the financial big guns who will hopefully ensure that Arts Council does not involve it in any bad deals. If possible Steve would like to see Arts Council limited to a few low key activities plus Arts Festival. Most people seemed to agree but Neil Gray and Andy Moore-Jones weren't helluva impressed.

In connection with Arts Council's generally unhealthy situation Peter Thrush asked "What's wrong with all these arty people" and suggested they should look at what dashing figures the Sports people cut in organising activities. Every year there's a Sports Tornament, as well as plenty of inter-campus activity. The clubs are healthy too.

"Sport has more appeal than culture" said the chap in the scarf and sunglasses in the corner.

"The rugby club has better support than the Arts Full Stop" said Bruce in the green and yellow pom-pom hat.

AUSA gets Fired Upon

It was around this time that I was looking about desperately for something to write about when into the paddock galloped Thrush and Underwood. These two blighters had got together and prepared the following motion which was put to the Exec:

"That this Exec Exprfss to Ausa (Auckland University Students Association) its Concern and Dismay at the Decision to Request the Attendance of Mr Harder at a Disciplinary Hearing Because of his Efforts to Uphold the Rule of Law in the Recent Bus Drivers Dispute".

Harder is the Auckland Law Student who filed an injunction which was to rule the bus strike illegal and continued to generally harass the Tramways Union.

Thrush and Underwood were under the impression that his activities outside the university were the reasons he was appearing before the disciplinary committee. No-one at the time was aware of the real reasons. That enemy of the workers. Harder, had with-out requesting or informing the AUSA Exec, gone about campus attempting to collect money to carry on his attack on the drivers. The Auckland University Constitution states that raising funds on campus can only be done with the Executives permission. It was for this reason that Harder is to appear before the disciplinary committee. The Auckland Trades Council was considering blacklisting students when they heard of Murder's fund raising taking place on campus.

Everything Harder has done during the Drivers dispute can only be described as scurrilous and discreditable to AUSA, to which he is a member.

Of our executive Lindy Cassidy was the only voice (of an Exec member) to be raised against this motion Most appeared to agree with the sentiment of the above motion (given the entirely incorrect information they had received) but after much debate they were convinced that the Exec is not a policy making body. Of course the blood) Exec is not a policy making bloody body! The Exec as a group have no right to communicate concern or dismay to our brothers in Auckland.

For an Exec to express "..." to another Exec or SRC is hardly politic especially when you've got all facts wrong. Thrush and Underwood don't normally 'get involved in issues' and the fact that they involve themselves in this one ( not to mention the angle they take) suggests no morals but a combination of ignorance and arrogance culminating in a motion which is a discredit to our Association.

- Eugene Doyle

NATIONAL AFFAIRS PROGRAMME FOR THE SECOND TERM The National Affairs Committee is organising a series of Forums on Civil Liberties this term. It is important to raise awareness about the repressive laws that the Government passed in Parliament last year which restrict New Zealanders' Civil Liberties. The Judicature Amendment NO2 Bill states that "the Supreme Court will be able to review any decision of an incorporated society or any other incorporated body in respect of the rights, privileges, immunities, duties or liabilities of any person." This means simply that any individual can take any member of an incorporated society to Court. This Law actually affects students too. It means that any individual can take a member of a particular Varsity Club to Court, for example, donating money to the Vietnamese - even it it was the collective decision of the particular club, it can be over ruled in Court. You can see how undemocratic this Law is, and the way it might affect you. The Studass Office is selling a booklet (20c) called "Labour's Leg-Irons." on the new Industrials Law, as well as the Judicature Law which has been outlined. List of Civil Liberties For Second Term May 30 Henry Stubbs. Scretary of Tramways and Public Transport Union on The Bus Strike and how Injunctions affect You! June 1st Sonja Davies, The Shope Assistant's Union. The Chilean Woman Refugees from Chile who have had experience within the Trade Union movement, and other speakers to be arranged. on The Role of Women in Trade Unions. June 9th Pat Kelly, Secretary of the Trades Council. Peter Franks, (NZUSA.) Christine Gillespie on The Repressive 1976 Industrial Legislation Laws. August 11th Mr Gordon Minister of Labour If anyone wants any further information or wishes to help in any way contact Margaret Casey, Studass Office or Home - 721734.

THE RENAISSANCE The English Department will present in second term the eight films from Kenneth Clark's "Civilization" which deal with the with the Renaissance in Europe. The films will be shown in the Union Theatre on the following Tuesdays from 1 - 2p.m.: May 24: The Great Thaw May 31: Romance and Reality June 14: Man — The Measure of all Things July 5: The Hero as Artist July 12: Protest and Communication July 19: Grandeur and Obedience July 26: The Light of Experience