National Issues Down South

If the performance of their presidents is anything to go by, apathy has been raised to new heights in the South Island campuses. There was a motion proposed that a speaking tour be arranged for a representative of the Mangere bridge workers, to go around all the universities informing students about the present dispute there. The South Island campuses weren't too happy about this proposal. "We don't get students along to forums" one commented.

This comment would have had more value if it were not for the fact that the South Island associations don't appear to care at all about forums. Several weeks ago there was a forum at Canterbury University on NZUSA at which two of the National Officers spoke. As Canterbury at that time had a motion on its books to withdraw from NZUSA (since rescinded) one might expect such a forum to generate a measure of interest. As it happened only 7 people turned up, 6 of whom were on the Canterbury Executive. Why? Well it was quite simple really, UCSA had arranged for a rock-concert to be held at the other end of the Union Building at the same time. Funny that no-one turned up.

Someone said that, in any case, the matter wasn't relevant to students. That anyone can seriously entertain that notion with the current level of graduate unemployment is astounding. But Tony Stuart countered this argument by pointing out that these redundancies didn't affect students while they were actually at university! In the light of this complete disinterest from the South it was decided that the speaking tour would only go around the North Island.