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Salient. Newspaper of Victoria University of Wellington Students Association. Vol 41 No. 4. March 20 1978

President

President

Drawing of a man hammering nails into a wall

Well, the Minister of Immigration has finally exposed his blatant disregard for democracy with his announcement that, regardless of the Education Advisory Committee's (EAC) decision, James Movick should go home. There has been much debate over the last few weeks as to the rights and wrongs of James being allowed to stay in New Zealand. One of the main arguments put forward for not allowing James a permit was that his academic record was not good enough.

In fact, Mr. Talboys was so determined to prove this point that he published James' confidential academic record in the Evening Post. And yet now, we are being told that regardless of the EAC's decision (which is the body which should decide whether or not James is making adequate academic progress) Mr. Gill has decided that James Movick is undesirable.

Unfortunately for Mr. Gill he lacks the political acumen of his fellow associates. If he had had Talboy's political sense he would have waited for the EAC's decision. Because of Gill's statement the obvious question is now left. Why is James undesirable? It is not because he has a bad academic record. Gill made that clear. Could it be that James was able, for the first time, to organise overseas students effectively? Last year overseas students were organised against the cutbacks issue This year the government will be introducing increases in overseas student fees and more cutbacks. Can the government afford to have someone who will organise strong pressure against these increases in fees and quotas?

At present James is in hiding. If he appears at work, or on campus he will be arrested for overstaying. James is fighting for a principle—the principle that overseas students have the same rights as N.Z. students to stand for elected positions in NZUSA. Are you also prepared to fight?

Lindy Cassidy President VUWSA