Fishing for Stories?

Whilst listening attentively to the excellent service given to us by our student radio station the other day, a joker called Paul Norman came on the air as the so-called political reporter and started to mouth off about the railway strike. Now I realise that quite a few people have been inconvenienced by this strike and I feel sorry for them. But Norman went on and on about people having to sell their cars in Picton so that they could afford a plane fare to get across the strait, and teenagers having to fish off Picton wharf because they had run out of money to buy food.

How about the other side of the story Mr. Self proclaimed political reporter? The railway workers are, after all, standing up against the government's attempt to deliberately run down New Zealand's rail services. Not only are the railway workers' jobs in jeopardy, but the New Zealand transport network is also under threat. And do you think the rail workers really like being on strike? The way the report was presented it certainly sounded that way.

The rail workers are making a principled stand and are prepared to lose wages to do it. Makes the likes of Paul Norman look pretty shoddy in comparison!

Sexist Diatribe Number One

This letter concerns the article in this year's handbook entitled "Women at University" which which I intend to rip apart in places and reference in places. So you can all get your handbooks for reference, and I'll rip into my first letter for this year (and the only serious one).

The perpetrator of this fascinating piece of literature mentions the unbalanced male/female ratio at varsity. This, of course, does not reflect the amount of women who actually want to go to Varsity. The reason for this ratio, we are told, is that it is harder for a woman to come to University — and to stay there. I find that hard to believe since a quick survey of all my female friends at varsity revealed that they were not finding it all that difficult. I would like to see the author back this up her (or his!!??) statement with some figures, including a comparison between the difficulties encountered by women and men.

3rd paragraph down, our informed source asserts that women are forced into a particular role — that women are dominated by men in Sasrac's and tut's. The only reasons for this that I can see are that women can't be bothered being as stupid as men at Sasracs and are too immersed in deep academic thought to speak in tut's. If you want to dominate in these things, you Can. It's up to you — don't come out with hackneyed cliches about being forced into a role. Your role is in your hands — no one else's.

No women in power at Varsity? Apart from the president, of course, and the NZUSA, you're dead right. But why? How many women stand for these positions? How many women wage a forceful election campaign, as many male candidates do? Get off your chuffs if you want these positions. Many, such as secretary, are yours for the taking. John Hebenton, ph. 769—676 would love to hear from you if you want this position.

Is the creche more important than the library? Well, the creche is vitally important, but the library is one of the most important facilities. Without it, there is no university. And since it serves the several thousand students here, who after all, want their degrees, is the library more important to this university? I think that it is. Most would agree.

One of the really ironic parts of this article is the part about women being forced to have unwanted children. With the range of contraceptives available, plus the "Sexuality" handbook, any woman who is burdened with an unwanted child must be either stupid, inept or forgetful, or all three. And I challenge you to refute that one.

Look, women at large, you should be stronger at varsity in both social and academic circles. Don't just sit back and moan and whine. Don't just sit there — get up at SRC's, attack the system that you dislike. Take an active role and go for the things that you want. It is, after all, up to You to help yourselves. I want this letter to get you all thinking and to make you think and then act. Go to it but don't come out with ill-informed pieces of drivel such as the handbook article. You'll only hurt your own case.

Students Association Fees

I am a part time student and have just paid out almost 40 dollars in fees for the third year. In the past, in common with most par timers, that expenditure is wasted as I do not have the time to enjoy the student facilities or indeed participate in the activities. I am sure that a survey would reveal that there are few part timers who get value for money. It seems to me as a point of principle that there should be a rate set for the part time student that recognises the different circumstances to those of the full time student.

In these days of student poverty it is surely time that the fee, and what all students get for it, was looked at. I would like to suggest a few areas in which savings could be made. Firstly, make Salient a self supporting newspaper. If students paid for the paper we may then see more articles of real concern to the students such as employment, passing examinations, etc., rather than the political rubbish that fills the paper at the moment. Secondly, cease supporting the parasites at the NZUSA. This bunch of people, who seem to the left of Stalin, are far more concerned for students in other countries (always the non-communist countries) than they seem to be for their own countrymen. What is required is a representation that can put a balanced view to the Government and the country which would benefit the Victoria students as a whole. Why not follow the lead of the students down south and withdraw from NZUSA. I am sure that there are many ways in which savings could be made if the will was there.

Come on you executive members, how about looking at fees as a whole and, the part timers fees in particular, before someone challenges the legality of the University collecting the fees as the Melbourne students did so successfully last year.