That VUWSA have no Policy on Abortion

Tees, in his mover's speech, took the line that it was ridiculous for VUWSA to have policy on this issue. On this topic, which he described as one of moral and religious viewpoint, opinion in this university is as divided as anywhere else. Rather than alienate a large group of people we should have no policy.

The naivete and short sightedness of this point of view was pointed out by a large number of people who spoke against the motion. Significantly, these speakers came from both sides of the fence.

The implication behind this motion is that SRC is not representative. Yet SRC is the voice of the students, to which all students are able, indeed encouraged to go. All this motion would have done would be to place students under an enforced silence. If students genuinely do not want to discuss abortion, then all they have to do is throw it out whenever the matter is raised at an SRC. This has never happened people obviously want to discuss the matter.

The democracy we have at this university is something that we should all be very grateful for, but if this motion had been passed, perhaps it would signify that we don't deserve such a system. I am pleased to be able to report that the motion was convincingly defeated.

The following motion, seconded by Tees, was

That VUWSA has no International policy on foreign affairs except that relating specifically to overseas students.

The mover of this motion, a certain Mr Broad, was not present at this stage of the meeting, and it was an interesting comment on the strength of Tees' convictions that he refused to move this motion himself.

It is worthwhile to ponder what Tees' motives were for putting forward these motions. If they had been passed, they would have severely restricted the freedom of speech of students; it is not scare-mongering to say they would have spelled the end of democracy in this university.

It is fitting that this article finished with the words of Lindy Cassidy, who said in her report to the meeting that "it is important that this year's executive be reminded that the are representatives of you, not of themselves."

Andrew Beach