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Salient. Official Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 40 No. 13. June 5 1977
Salient
Salient
The subject of abortion is as common at SRC as points of order which, for those who don't attend these esteemed bun-fights, is common indeed. Many Wednesday lunchtimes have been spent up in the Union Hall slugging it out in the cause of a decent abortion policy for the Association. By 1975 (the old-timers will correct me if I'm wrong here) VUWSA had formulated a reasonably progressive policy which both condemned the social conditions which cause women to be oppressed and which lead to unwanted pregnancies, plus allowed for comprehensive contraception services and the obtaining of free, safe abortions on grounds determined by the women concerned and their doctors.
This policy is one which seems to be in tune with public opinion. It does not allow for the interference of the state in the medical matters of the individual and does not deprive anyone of democratic rights. Those who believe that abortion is morally inadvisable are not forced to terminate their own pregnancies, and those too poor or disadvantaged to be able to get an abortion would be able to receive a humane and free service.
At the SGM a couple of weeks ago the debate on abortion was as always, prolonged and fierce. In the middle of it all the suggestion was raised that a referendum be held on the question of abortion at the next election (which will be soon because of the recent resignations of the SRC co-ordinator, Women Vice-President and the Cultural Affairs Officer).
Everybody was quite taken with the idea of an abortion referendum at that meeting, but this was more an expression of frustration at the progress being made at the SGM than any desire to conduct a farce of 'democracy'.
What are the advantages of conducting an unwieldy referendum over-rule a policy made at a large student meeting where the issues are aired and fully debated? The answer is simply that there are not any.
The existing policy-making structures at Victoria are quite adequate to produce an intelligent policy on abortion and this is just what has happened. Although SRC's and SGM's are susceptible to stacking and other bad side effects, on this issue they have proved [unclear: ound]. There is little need for a referendum which is complicated, confusing and more importantly, not entitled to bind the association.
It is all very well to get carried away with the idea of a referendum. Really [unclear: ti] only prolongs and confuses the issue If students are concerned enough to make policy for the association, then they should turn up to student meetings and make it. This is time-proven at Victoria as most of the policy on our books is good policy which should be actioned by our Executive and SRC representatives at every occasion.
Looming up on the horizon, the care free school of Salient whales were spouting forth after sounding in the deep Such a tranquil scene it seemed, but what is this? All seems not well with the Salient Whale school (of thought)'. There on the distance sits a fleet of mixed (up) Social Imperialists, and assorted Nippon Whale Factory ships (or is there really any difference). In full flight was the advance guard of the school led by David chief bull whale Murray, flanked by other battle scarred bull whales named Gyles Beckford (Chief Technical Bull), with attendant bull whales of the 'Robinson Species" named Bruce swimming along beside. Leading the cow whales was Lamorna Rogers desperately swimming wondering whether or not she will end as a pair of whale boot slippers Rose Collins was sunning herself on the surface while Euqene 'ace Exec reporter' Dovle was avoiding incorrect line harpoons, as Patrick O'Dea sang his life away by not keeping a weather eye out for a fast Russian whaler. Jane Wilcox just missed out on becoming a vat of whale oil and Lynette Shum almost drowned in her own tea. Rire Scotney was thrashing about madly in the Red Sea, Simon Wilson was viciously attacked on the Salient Office deck, the first time in many a long day There were many more varieties such as the long finned Sue Cairney, the near extinct Rod James and Chris Norman. As the grim (owls of the rapacious SS Brezhnev came into sight Geoffrey Churchman and Mike Stephens closely followed by Kevin Swann dived to the dark depths where they met the typesetter Wendy Bachler recovering from an earlier attack. Only Pat Martin as the Albatross seemed to be safe from it all.
Salient is edited by David Murray for the Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Private Bag, Wellington. It is printed at Wanganui News papers. Drews Ave, Wanganui. Please note our change of address. Salient no longer has a PO Box.