Leftwing politics at Vic. Disillusioning

If democracy exists in the VUWSA it is 'the democracy of the few'. The [unclear: few] pursue their aims while the rest in their usual role — most ignorant, some utilising other bodies in their struggles — do nothing on campus. The university as a result is a very sick place.

People who visit Victoria-people like Henry Stubbs, Bob Scott, George Goddard see it as a lifeless, twisted place. Where are the people analysing our society? Where are the activists — why aren't they proposing alternatives?

Our 'activists' look abroad for problems and answers and forget the struggle they should be waging on campus. We have a university to change — to ignite. It won't be changed in Salient or Socialist. Action articles dwelling on issues remote to student feeling. It won't be acheived by leaving students isolated and ignorant. 300 students at an SRC does not an Association make. Unless the student politician-activists realise this — and change themselves the Association will remain a sheep with sleeping sickness which will at best simply stagger on as at present.

I have no ready solutions — an Achille's heel easily hit. I am simply observing that, like the donkey, those active on campus are dragging their load (the Association) down the toad with-out a clear idea of where they're heading.

Unless the factions on campus seriously analyse/review their tactics and their role as activists on campus they will continue to be of little use in changing the university, society or whatever Sure it's a big task and the fact that Victoria's activists have become [unclear: rutterised] is understandable. History as 'they' say isn't sympathetic. And if it were it would be of little use in changing Victoria's thousands of mental labourers into people alert and questioning of this university, society.

The activists have a basis of sand-insecure and easily swept away. Their activities continually alienate people. An example, The 'Trots' and the 'Maoists' continual efforts to belittle each other, to undermine the other's support. The results in both factions being looked upon as children playing nasty games.

Things don't look so good for the future of the Left-wing struggle in this university. It has ceased to be a struggle and has become . cliquish, bureaucratic, undemocratic and, in bourgeois terminology, wholly pedistrian.

Stop—Think—Look Both Ways—Turn Left.

Eugene Doyle.