Canterbury in 1978

The most central figure in Canterbury this year has been President Mike Lee. Although claiming to be apolitical, in reality he has proved to be extremely conservative and sometimes without ethical judgement. He has been determined to ensure that Canterbury sticks to its decision to leave NZUSA. Ironically he has claimed that NZUSA is too bureaucratic while lobbying behind the scenes for a regional bureaucracy with Lincoln, the Teachers College and the Technical Institute. However, lack of enthusiasm and fear of Lee's domination has prevented this from happening.

The Canterbury Executive has been divided on the issue. Against the national association is the loosely termed 'business section' of Exec: those members who are mainly involved in administrative and organisational work. Members who are mainly involved in educational and welfare matters (the 'student section') are largely in favour of staying in. The former is led by Lee and the latter by Education Officer Greg Waite.

One interesting individual is the immediate past-president and present Finance Officer Nigel Petrie. While critical of NZUSA last year Petrie holds the view that a national association is essential for the well being of students, especially in the area of bursaries, and that the organisational changes to NZUSA at its May Council largely resolved his criticisms.

A disturbing feature has been the involvement of adherents of the National Front. A small but vocal hard-core have attended SRC meetings and campaigned for withdraw] from NZUSA, indulging in red-baiting similar to that of Muldoon at Bastion Point. More disturbing has been their apparent link-up with some of those in the 'business section'.