Why a Higher Bursary?

After an extremely sucessful bursaries demonstration, students and student leaders will be wondering what line of action should be taken now that everything has been tried this year. When speaking to the rally outside Parliament, FOL representative Ken Douglas correctly pointed out that the economic attacks on students were just a part of the overall reduction in the living standards of workers, farmers and small businessmen.

It is not simply a matter of everyone tightening their belts to get out of the recession. The burden of the economic situation which is caused directly by big business in New Zealand and overseas, is being thrown onto the rest of the population. As a result, education of all levels is getting shoddier, and tertiary education especially is increasingly becoming the bastion of the kids of the wealthy and powerful.

This is why bursaries should be realistic and provide enough for a student going to varsity without having to take a job as well. Only then will the quality and quantity of tertiary education increase so that all New Zealanders have the chance to go on after secondary school.

The "getting more money" aspect of the bursaries campaign has clouded many central issues. What the campaign is fighting for is better education and equal opportunity. Whether we like it or not, the number one enemies of the campaign are big business monopolies, who cause the crisis which cuts education and living standards. Hopefully students will see that they have to unite with other sections of the community to do battle.

Things to do in August

Arts Festival '77, long in the planning, will materialise 20 - 27 August here at Victoria. All manner of culture will be shown and performed. Arts Council are flying in numerous world acts such as the talented anti-apatheid theatre Boesman and Lena. If you are interested in the films, plays, concerts and displays that will be on — go to either the Studass Office or the festival centre (2nd floor Union Building). $10 registration and you see almost everything for seven days. The programme is ambitious so "pissed off with varsity" type students could worse than to get in behind it.