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Salient. Newspaper of the Victoria University Students' Association. Vol 42 No. 5. March 26 1979

Letters

[unclear: Letters ]

[unclear: An] Attacked

Dear,

Bank of New Zealand advert

[unclear: article] in last weeks Salient "S.E. Another view" by Patrick Mulrenan [unclear: es] of lies, contradictions and illogical [unclear: iones] Multenan's article states that [unclear: al] coflict that underlies the situation Asia is the continued hostility of the States to the encroacment of liberation [unclear: as] on territory that it considers its own." goes on the describe US alracks on [unclear: and] then claims that "The US found [unclear: g] ally for these attacks in the [unclear: government] the Peoples Republic of China." [unclear: Pattss] off a number of highly distorted [unclear: to] support his argument.

[unclear: chim] that the real conflict in S.E. Asia [unclear: continued] hostility of the US is abject [unclear: ce]. True the US is waging an ideological [unclear: ht] on Vietnam by branding Vietnam as [unclear: list] country (despite the decidedly [unclear: list] nature of its invasion and occupat-[unclear: Kampuchca]) and has made much of the [unclear: ese] refugee problem in its continual to discredit socialism, but is political, [unclear: tic] and military role in Indo-China is Further Patrick's argument totally the role played by Vietnam and the [unclear: Jswn] in S.E. Asia.

[unclear: e] Vietnam leaned towards the Soviet [unclear: te] has committed on criminal act against [unclear: lution] after another. In Democratic [unclear: chea] it fomented coups and eventually [unclear: in] open aggression in order to attain its [unclear: ding] desire to form a colonial empire [unclear: he] "Indochina Federation". Against [unclear: t] has reversed its stand on Chinese [unclear: ntf] over the South China Sea islands, [unclear: ver] 180,000 Chinese (most of them [unclear: Kti]) to China, and begun armed [unclear: nations] Towards the national liberation [unclear: ents] South-East Asia, the CPV has out one act of betrayal after another, [unclear: ng] declarations that it would not support [unclear: ornry] struggle against the Malaysian and [unclear: rean] regimes and placing wreaths on [unclear: ents] to the memory of puppet soldiers [unclear: uring] the Malayan liberation war.

Soviet Union has backed Vietnam in [unclear: e] adventures because they serve Soviet [unclear: traiegy]. Part of the Soviet Union's [unclear: c] purpose at present is to bring all of [unclear: der] its influence so as to control strateg-[unclear: luterials] and the sea routes to the West [unclear: le] oil fields of the Middle East. With [unclear: east] Asia within its grasp, the Soviet [unclear: will] be able to threaten neighbouring [unclear: si] and control the Malacca Straits. It is [unclear: Mtnam] as its stormtrooper in this [unclear: type] so it has given Vietnam vast economic [unclear: itary] backing, brought it into [unclear: Come-ed] signed with it a fake "treaty of peace [unclear: aaianrp] which is disguised military

[unclear: these] facts are strangely absent from [unclear: this] article. Instead we are told that [unclear: pursues] the same narrow, nationalistic, [unclear: if] the Soviet Union" We are not told [unclear: it] means in connection with the Soviet [unclear: baa] China's crimes are apparently, [unclear: nam] was invited to China, the Chinese [unclear: off] all aid to Vietnam and the counter-[unclear: cm] Vietnam. Again Patrick fails to these actions. The visit of President [unclear: to] China was a visit of the head of one another. It was purely a diplomatic and does not in anyway imply Chinese [unclear: de] to state relations with the Philipines [unclear: t] the same time provide aid to the [unclear: nes] liberation movement.

[unclear: at] withdrew aid from Vietnam for a [unclear: for] of political and economic reason's in-Vietnam continuous armed provocat-[unclear: to] Chinnsese territory, and Vietnam's [unclear: on] of 180,000 Chinese from Vietnam [unclear: m] claimed the Chinese were all undesir-[unclear: sineumen], but in fact 95% of the Chin-[unclear: eescamc] from North Vietnam where [unclear: italia] class was supposedly stripped of [unclear: pfcauat] rights 19 years ago!) The [unclear: Chinnter]-attack on Vietnam was a limited [unclear: an] to show both Vietnam and her the Soviet Union, that China was not [unclear: d] to "turn the other check" to their [unclear: on].

[unclear: ick] then turns from attacking the [unclear: the] government to attacking the Pol Pot Government. He claims that "It set out to systematically depopulate the cities and thrust the country backwards politically and economically." and that "The complete disorganisation of the country and the lack of support for the Pol Pot regime was shown in the way the regime crumbled when earlier this year the Vietnamese troops invaded backing the Kampuchea United Front for National Salvation."

This paragraph is completely laughable. The Vietnames have been hostile to the Kampuchean's for some time and the Kampuchean's were in fact expecting the Vietnamese invasion knowing they couldn't defeat the Russian-backed Vietnamese invasion, earlier on the Kampuchcan's adopted the very sensible policy of moving the people to the countryside to prepare them for a guerrila war. The Kampuchean economy has in fact made huge strides since liberation in 1975. Before liberation 80% of the people were illiterate and starvation was rife. Through socialist reconstruction starvation has been eliminated and 90% of the population in now literate.

His last few paragraphs are incredibly confused. The logic runs something like we can't condemn the Vietnamese invasion of Kampuches because the invasion is a defensive move aimed against the economic blockade set up by China, Kampuchea and the United States. On the other hand we can't support the Vietnamese government because "it is schooled in the same style of narrow nationalism as the Chinese and Russian governments."

Patricks's arguements are patently absurd. They are based on many false assumptions, the main one being that the U.S. is the main threat to world peace. While the United States would undoubtedly like to interfere to increase its influence in many parts of the world because of its defeat in Vietnam and the increasing tolerance of the American people to continued expensionism, it is not in the position to do so.

For example, though Carter expressed a desire to intervene in Iran, he recognised the unpopularity of such a move and thus its menfolde failure.

The root cause of the conflict in S.E. Asia is, in fact, the intensification of superpower rivalry, stemming from the swift pace of Soviet expansionsm, and the regional ambitions of the Vietanese leaders.

Yours sincerely,

Leonie Morris.

The President's Abuse of Democracy

Dear Peter,

I would like to discuss several points raised by Andy Tees in last weeks issue of Salient. He seemed to be asking us on the one hand to turn up at a bursaries march, yet, on the other hand, he was criticizing us for wanting to protest about a 'secret' German delegation who have come here for 'industrial negotiation' (cheap power?)

Maybe there is a line that we are not allowed to cross-politics until here, but after that, it's 'bullshit'. We are either a political organisation or else we are not. We are either concerned about our standards of living, the quality of our lives, and the way we can preserve or improve it or else we are not. What's it to be?

He also states that the German industrialist motion got passed at the very end of the meeting when only the political die-hards were there. I would like to let him know that there is a thing called a procedural motion, which may be used to change the order of the agenda i.e. bring a motion forward so it can be discussed earlier than originally proposed.

I would also like to inform Andy that I have never been a member of either the PSA or the SAI. What's more, neither had many of the people sitting around me. The most important point, is, of course, that SRCs are open and any student of Victoria University can move, speak, or vote on motions. This is to ensure that all points of view are represented.

As for the 'limited cross section of student opinion', if the rest of the students are so apathetic that they can't be bothered giving two hours a fortnight to make sure their opinions are represented, I don't think it's fair to say people are trying to shove ideas down their throats. They obviously have their mouths open quite a lot of the time,

Yours in the never-ending struggle for overcoming apathy and ignorance,

T. Scotney

Fictions — Donoghue?

Dear Sir,

I consider it high time you catered to popular demand and either gave this funny Drysdale person her own column in your publication or had her elected to some high and important office where she will be too busy memo-writing to bother you and your staff in your continuing efforts to make us aware of the higher things in life. To think of someone actually causing — dare I say it? — 'controversy' in our little band of aspirants to higher education (not to mention the odd jug on the side) seems to me a startling revelation of things to come. Who knows, someday someone somewhere might actually decide to run for office for reasons other than his/her desire to advance his/her viewpoint in whatever manner avails Itself — good God, what a revolutionary thought!

This conveniently brings me to the second part of my communication. Just who are these people purpoting to be my representatives, anyway? Does, for example, Andrew Tees really exist, or is he a useful means of filling up space in your excellent publication? Why is it that the only time this Andrew Tees in in the public eye is when that strange group claiming to be fighting for our rights as good Socialists meets: even more importantly, why are these meetings always so stupefyingly boring? I realise a meeting is what one makes of it, but on those occasions they seem to be going a bit far in leaving it up to the peasants.

It might be a good idea if these poeple could be met with in some place other than their dens or the nearest convenience, and better still if they represented those other than the local extremists or the lucky few with the God-given talent of being able to stay awake in the meetings. On that inspiring note

I remain, your most Humble and Obedient Servant,

P.A. O'Donoghue

No FM for Radio B

Dear Ed,

This letter has been prompted by the last issue of Salient, in particular the article by Dave Campbell on Radio Active. In this article he stated quite categorically that Radio B (Auckland Student Radio) has transmitted Frequency Modulated Broadcasts illegally. This allegation is totally unfounded and could land this station in serious trouble if the Post Office were ever to find out for sure that Radio Bosom certainly had done an FM broadcast. So I would appreciate it if you could print something in your paper to the effect that we have never done anything of the kind.

Yours faithfully.

Romi L. Patel,

Station Manager

Library Tables Disappear

Dear Sir,

Symptoms; Back-ache and Piles from sitting on floor studying, Diagnosis; Lack of tables on fourth floor of library. Cure: Bring our tables back! Please!

Although I appreciate there is a space problem for books, nicking tables needed for studying only compounds the problem. Why can't the books be stacked on the floor rather than using the tables? At least that's better than depleting study facilities.

This is already a concern for many students and the situation will only become worse as the year proceeds and study space comes under heavier demand. Please give us our tables back!

Yours faithfully,

An Agitated Student.

Saxby and Cants

Dear Salient Editor,

I have no intention of boring the pants off your readers by replying to 82 column-centimetres of tedious argument from Chris Gosling with 82 column-centimetres of tedious counterargument. Anyone (including Chris Gosling) who is genuinely in doubt about the very modest claims I made against NZUSA can write to me c/o Box 30-271, Lower Hutt as I advised in my first letter. A better plan might be to subscribe to the Canterbury students' publication. Canta (only $6 for 23 brilliant issues). I will continue to write my weekly column for Canta.

It is already clear, after only three issues, that the standard of Salient 1979 is going to be abysmal — even worse than last year! I therefore choose not to lend credibility to your pages in future by treating them as a student forum and can only feel sorry for those whose position in the Students Association obliges them to communicate with and through Salient.

An old lady is supposed to have said of politicians: "I never vote — it only encourages them". To the readers of interminable articles by Salient ideologues, I suggest likewise: Don't react. It only encourages them.

Yours finally,

Phil Saxby.

Democratic Intellect

Dear Sir,

May I suggest that Ms Virginia Adams ('Salient', 19 March, P. 4) make a comparative study of the social backgrounds of New Zealand and Danish tertiary students? Denmark has for many years had a student loan system and its intellect is hardly less democratic than than of New Zealand.

Sincerely,

K. Haakonssen

page 16

Swine in the Cafe

Dear Peter,

Having attended Varsity for the past two years I know that the cafe is run under virtually impossible conditions. This doesn't encourage students to be well mannered, but I was appalled to say the least, when at 12 noon on Thurs 22 I witnessed a student drop half his chips on the floor, then casually bend down, no not to clean up the mess, but to begin to eat them off the floor.

This points to the fact that any person can come to a university so long as the academic requirements have been met. However in my view the basis of our society rests not on the academic side, but on the way people relate to one another. It's time something was done. I don't like eating with Swine.

Yours

Michael S. Sutton

Thoughtful Thief

Dear Sir,

I wish to thank the person who helped him/ herself to the money in my pack, which was outside the library on Wednesday afternoon, for leaving my bus ticket.

I regret that, as I do not know you name or address, I am unable to thank you personally.

Yours sincerely,

Kathy Jennings

49 Famham St Kingston

Course Anacronysm

Dear Mr Editor,

Please excuse such a short letter, but this is the first one I've written to you and I'm kind of shy.

Love

Carol Addley

P.S. Does Salient stand for "So All Utile Idiots Enter News Tournaments"?

"Christian" Organs

Dear Editor,

In his letter, "A Christian's Comment", Lawrence Law has admitted amateur converters being "insensitive" in their ways. These crude approaches undoubtably brought embarrassment to the more subtle seniors. Such a confession must have been painful, but it is difficult enough to cover up after all the shit that had been strewn. To quote an example of such crudity, a Christian doing his rounds in Weir House posed this naive ultimatum to a first year student: "If you are not a Christian, then you must be a communist."

By "testifying" to his personal case, Lawrene Law was implying the help from Christians came with no strings attached, at least they didn't attempt to convert him! Nevertheless, today he has become a spokesman for their kind. Even simple Mr Beach could discern a Christian when he read one, by [unclear: aptly] entitling Law's letter "A Christian comment". I thought Christians are proud of their identity.

Lawrence Law concluded by dismissing T.S. Koh's allegations as "second hand opinions". I suppose only opinions like his and other Chrisians are first hand. What was conveniently left out of in his letter is the very essence of the issue, which is more than allegations and denials of such and such practices. I refer you to the questions posed by Salina, Salient No. 3, "Christian at University". S/he urged an open debate on the role that overseas student organisations should play. Such a discussion on fundamental issues and interest would hopefully give the first year students a better insight as to the objectives and practicability of each organisation.

An average Malaysian

A.A. Tan

P.S. The reference to Christians in this letter is confined to species like OCF, Navigators and what have you.

Woman in the Life of J.A.B.

Peter dear,

I am horrified at the rubbish you print. This J.A. Browning person — what does he/she/it know about women and their capabilities. I knew a woman once, and she seemed to be a perfectly adequate individual. On the other hand, J.A. Browning (and I should know this because I am J.A. Browning) has never known a woman in its life — in fact has never even seen one. So what I must ask myself is: why did I write such an inflammatory, ill-informed letter, if indeed I wrote it at all, which I doubt.

J.A.B.

The W.O.C.F. Approach

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Wellington Overseas Christian Fellowship (W.O.C.F.) which by no means implicate other overseas christian groups referred to in Salina's letter dated 12/3, we would like to take this opportunity to clarify the status quo of W.O.C.F, with regards to the 2 queries raised by Salina.

Salina's first question was directed towards political attitudes and in response we would like to reaffirm that we are a christian felloship which is distinct from any student political bodies. However, we are not so 'spiritually minded' as to ignore worldly needs of humanity, poverty, injustice arid human misery. In 1 Timothy 2, we are told to pray for kings and all who are in authority so that "we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty". In our capacity as responsible members of society it is our Christian duty to pray and work for social justice and good; this justifies and contrains OCFers to take democratic actions when necessary and appropriate towards good social structures and laws to improve and conform to their God-given functions. Hence, OCFers individually and also in unofficial corporate groups should act upon their political convictions in concert with other students whose views coincide.

To qualify Salina's comment that we had 'never dare make a stand, let alone do anything' on political issues affecting overseas students, there was evidence of OCFers who had actually participated in active students protests and demonstrations. But it is another thing for W.O.C.F. to enter into politics as an official Christian body. Our main witness is not secular and student political aims are inappropriate to our constitutional objectives. Moreover, political issues usually invoke divided opinions because W.O.C.F. comprises of students as well as non-students from various overseas countries. Therefore, it has never been the policy of W.O.C.F. to express political opinions in our official capacity unless it involves the clearest moral issue. For instance, our corporate prayers and signing of a petition pleading royal pardon for the 14 year old Malaysian boy convicted to death penalty in 1977.

With reference to Salina's second query, we are gratified that he/she appreciates the efforts of philanthropic organisations like CORSO, etc. We are very much aware of the possibility of religion being theoretically centred in the gospel with little result in real life. We see it our duty to be zealous of good works in whatever ways we can towards social good instead of merely indulging in talk and argument in healed political matters without lifting a finger to help in practical ways. Within our limited resources and manpower we have tried our best to put our faith in action and here are some instances for your enlightenment:
(a)OCFers contribute towards an annual Missionary Fund amounting to over $1000 to be channeled towards needy areas e.g. financial support of an Indonesian orphan through World Vision for the past 7 years.
(b)There are OCFers who sacritically devote their whole lives into full time service for the Lord;
  • John Ray (now an Inter-Fellowship Evangelical Student staff worker in the Middle East)
  • Max and Judy Middleton (serving in Japan under the Overseas Missionary Fellowship)
  • Alan Pang from Singapore left in 1977 to help in the economic development of Nepal under the Bible and Medical Missionary Fellowship.
  • Dr. Tan and family serving in the medical field in Zambia.
(c)OCFers have also undertaken to visit and sin in prisons, hospitals and old folks homes, etc.

We are positively and actively concerned for this life and society in its true balance: an undervalue would be disobedience to God in an important and public aspect of our life and witness while an overvalue may result in idolatry of this world and an eclipse of the gospel of our Lord and Saviour.

We sincerely hope that this letter will provide a better and clearer insight to Salina and anyone interested in W.O.C.F.

Yours in God's Service,

L.Puk.

Student Teacher Allowances

Dear Sir,

It was very pleasing to read in Salient, 5 March, of support for the retention of student teacher allowances, both in the Editorial and from your President. I also noticed that Andrew Tees voiced support for our continued allowances in the Evening Post. Although I'm aware that your Association does have policy supporting our continued allowances it is most reassuring to find that it is also actively supported, especially al such a worrying time.

Some of the reasons for our continued Allowance are:
1.We receive a supportive Allowance in contrast to the Bursary paid to University students as a grant in aid;
2.Teacher trainees are bonded, and are trained for one vocation only;
3.Our holiday period does not allow for financially supportive secondary employment;
4.Expenses during training for field trips, books, class room equipment, suitable dress while on section, and in gathering resources for leaching are substantial.

Drawing of a car driving off a cliff

Needless to say, the students at Wellington Teachers College give their firm support to the raising of your Bursary to the same level as our allownace.

Thank you for your support, and good luck with your increased bursary!

Yours faithfully,

Bronwyn Tobin,

President, W.T.C.S.A

Tees Under Fire

Dear Peter,

I wish to reply to some of the points concerning the Progressive Students Alliance, raised by Andrew Tees in his "President's column" in your last issue. First of all, Andrew accuses the Progressive Student Alliance (PSA) of consisting of the "sort of people" who are "denigrating VUWSA" and "depriving SRC of any credibility" by proposing a morion concerning the German Industrialists' visit to New Zealand. What Andrew fails to point out - perhaps because he wants to gain credibility for himself (?) - is that all the bursary motions moved at the SRC were initiated from a PSA meeting that had been held the day before to discuss Bursary action and student welfare issues. The motions for the action on the bursary issue were all actually moved by PSA members, not the President.

Though Andrew may prattle on about his concern for student welfare issues, he has done little real work in this area. Perhaps his one sided attack on the Progressive Student Alliance, denigrating their student welfare activities, is to mask his own inactivity. Not only has the PSA provided the main force behind the bursary action, but it is also organising a petition to gain better library facilities, a seminar to make students aware of the possible University administration's attempts to cut student welfare.

However PSA is not only concerned with direct student welfare, but also issues that [unclear: cern] New Zealand society generally. We [unclear: mal] no apology to Andrew for this as we [unclear: tron] believe that students do not exist in a [unclear: vacti] and that what happens in society must [unclear: ulti] ately affect students. Consequently many our members joined with others, at the SRC meeting to express concern over the visit of the German industrialists. Many PSA [unclear: mere] saw this visit as hailing the encroachment [unclear: of] foreign control and capital over New Zealand resources. It is surely ludicrous to assert that foreign control of our economy will have no effect on students' lives. To bury our heads the sand, as Andrew would have us do, and more the trends in New Zealand society is a [unclear: di] gerous precedent for any section of the New Zealand people.

Andrew talks about SRC as "what is laugh ingly called a democratic meeting". It is [unclear: true] that is would be desirable to have a greater [unclear: le] of participation, but SRC is still the most [unclear: derr] cratic and representative way of deciding VUWSA's policy. This is not the first time [unclear: Ar] rew has made attacks on SRC's credibility. Would he rather that only 10 people (ie the executive) decided VUWSA"s policy? At least. SRC provides an opportunity for anyone who feels strongly enough, to debate issues, put motions and to vote. If SRC were abolished it would lead to elitism, and a stifling of activity Andrew talks of shoving ideas down people's throats. At SRC these ideas can be rebutted and voted against. If you did not have SRC, you would have the Executive's ideas shoved down your throat and would not even be able to debate them.

As a $43 fee paying member of the Association I also want to know what I am getting for it. That is why I and other PSA members will fight for a students' association that is truly democratic and representative.

Yours sincerely,

Virginia Adams

Chairperson PSA