[unclear: Aries] on the Local Scene

[unclear: VUWSA] bursaries campaign is now [unclear: its] second week, with the bursaries [unclear: n] Tuesday being this week's attrac[unclear: is] forum is designed to give you a [unclear: o] witness first hand the attitude of [unclear: ous] political parties to bursaries.

[unclear: National] party show their total lack [unclear: iro] about the chronic financial hard[unclear: ed] by many students, by not even bo[unclear: to] front up with a speaker for this fo[unclear: ne] Labour Party at least show a wil[unclear: to] discuss bursaries with us. Their [unclear: f] indexing the bursaries in relation [unclear: onsmer] Price Index is a step in [unclear: t] direction. A main objective of this [unclear: hould] be to put as much pressure on [unclear: our] Party speaker to make some [unclear: ment] as regards removal of the abate[unclear: ve] must show them how unjustly [unclear: nating] this form of means testing [unclear: ary] is. We are not likely to get any [unclear: asure] of support from the speaker [unclear: te] Labour Party is just as likely as [unclear: onal] Party to be the Government [unclear: next] elections, it is up to us to keep [unclear: iure] on them to give us a better [unclear: bur- l].

[unclear: other] main speaker will be Dr Allan [unclear: rch] supporter of the idea that stu[unclear: e] just middle-class bludgers on [unclear: Gov- spending]; a man who proposes a [unclear: if] student loans and complete [unclear: abo- of] the STB, and an ex-lecturer in [unclear: own] sociology department. He re[unclear: a] growing body of opinion which [unclear: e] view that education is not a right [unclear: ivilegc]. This kind of attitude must [unclear: gly] tought against wherever it [unclear: ap— we] are to retain any choice in the [unclear: education] system is run.

[unclear: it] to MP's

[unclear: in] publicity for the bursaries cam[unclear: depatation] of students visited va[unclear: s] on Tuesday and Wednesday last [unclear: tell] them why we are campaigning [unclear: 9] increase and the removal of the abatement. These visits showed how little interest in bursaries most MP's have. Even Mr Gray, a National Party member of the Select Committee on Education, openly confessed his ignorance about bursaries. This attitude shows the real need for us to keep pressure on the MP's and keep them informed about the continual erosion of the real value of the bursary.

There was good media coverage of this action, especially on radio. One of the most important aspects of the bursaries campaign is the gaining of public support, without which our ability to put effective pressure on the Government is much reduced. Sympathetic media coverage is our best means of gaining this support.

Student Teacher Allowances

One thing we must not forget when fighting for the completely justifiable increase in our bursary, is that the Government has suggested that there be a corresponding cut in Student Teacher Allowances This is a dirty trick planned by the Government to reduce their overall commitment to education. As we have a Teachers Training College in Wellington we must enlist, their support and be prepared to support them if they come under fire. They have undertaken to march with us on April 11th which will greatly increase the pressure we can exert on Government and we must be prepared to do Likewise if the situation is reversed.

The March

To make this campaign a success it is vital that we all get out on the streets on April 11th and show Government by weigh, of numbers that we'll keep fighting until they change their abysmal attitude to bursaries.' The only reason that we have even a Standard Tertiary Bursary at all is that students in the past fought hard to get it introduced and the only times it has ever been increased is after bursary campaigns have been fought for such increases.

If we stop fighting now, the Govt, will assume that we no longer care about the drastic reduction in the real value of the bursary and they will leave bursaries at the bottom of their list of priorities. We must fight and keep fighting to have our bursaries restored to a decent level and get the abatement removed.

Everyone must join the march on April 11th to make it successful. For the march we will need a large number of banners and placards, On this Thursday (April 5th) there will be an all-day working-bee in the Rankine Brown Quadrangle to paint and construct banners and placards. Everyone is enconraged to join in this working-bee and to bring along any placards etc. which could be used on the march. There will be plenty of paint and material provided, so plenty for everyone to do. For those who would like to have more to do with organising the march, there will be another meeting in the Lounge on Monday 2nd April at 12.00. Here's your chance to get involved. On the march itself, anyone with musical instruments is encouraged to bring them along. To make the Government recognise our just demands everyone must get out and march on April 11th.