[unclear: Corrections] to STB Article

Can I congratulate you on an article "The C10 in Student Union House" which appea-[unclear: d] in Issue 15 Volume 42 of Salient. In the [unclear: in] the article is constructive and explains [unclear: arly] and well recent developments within [unclear: t] Student Travel Bureau Limited (STB) for [unclear: e] information of the student body. I would [unclear: pe] the standard established by 'Salient' in [unclear: s] regard could be aspired to by other stu[unclear: nt] Media. Regretably these journals in the [unclear: in] have not sought to undertake the inves-[unclear: ation] required and thus their articles on STB [unclear: ve] been misinformed and/or unbalanced of late.

There are, however, a number of errors in the [unclear: icle] which require correction to ensure the stu-[unclear: t] body is in possession of all the relevant in-[unclear: mation]. These are as follows:—

STB's current operations in terms of staff em-[unclear: yed], product range offered etc., is in fact at a [unclear: er] pitch today than prior to 1 April 1975 when [unclear: e] company was formed.

[unclear: )] Last financial year i.e. that ending 31 March [unclear: 79] STB processed 28825 ISlC's not as stated ir [unclear: c] article 25,000.

[unclear: )] The bulk of the surplus generated by the ISIC [unclear: heme] between mid 1972 and 1978 was not re-[unclear: ned] by STB but transferred to NZUSA. For [unclear: ample] in NZUSA Audited Accounts for the fi-[unclear: ncial] year ending 31 March 1977 $30 111.00 [unclear: is] transferred from suprluses generated. It is [unclear: imed] by some that if STB had retained these [unclear: onies] its financial situation would be signifi—[unclear: itly] different from that the company pre—[unclear: tly] finds itself in.

[unclear: )] The purchase of a majority Shareholding in [unclear: elusive] Travel was not to be able to operate as [unclear: conventional] Travel Agency." The decision to [unclear: rchase] was based on a desire of the Board of Di[unclear: tors] of SSH Ltd to maximise the income STB [unclear: d] gained from the sale of IATA and related [unclear: vel] products. Rather dun some IATA agent [unclear: ocessting] this work on a commission split [unclear: ba- the] ownership of an IATA agency by SSH Ltd [unclear: owed] maximisation of income from such sales [unclear: well] as offering other commercial advantages.

[unclear: )] When sold Exclusive Travel Ltd was not told the Bank of New Zealand. The development the BNZ Travel's services in Wellington have [unclear: een] entirely independent of Exclusive Travel.

[unclear: )] The reasons for the sale of Exclusive Travel [unclear: ere] two fold. Firstly if STB Ltd was ceasing to [unclear: e] involved in the sale and processing of IATA [unclear: nd] related travel products (as was decided by [unclear: e] adoption of Option 2 by the NZUSA SGM's [unclear: eld] in March 1978) then there was little reason to retain the shareholding in Exclusive Travel. Secondly much debating had been generated in the student press, amongst student politicians and other concerned individuals that the ownership of an IATA agency comprised NZUSA's antiapatheid stand. This arose because an IATA agency must IF REQUESTED sell travel to South Africa and use the services of South African Air-ways (SAA). NZUSA's policy did and continues to oppose this.

It is interesting to note that since the sale of Exclusive Travel attention to the compromise of NZUSA's policy by its constituents and the interest and action of concerned individuals appears to have moved from opposing travel links to South Africa.

(g) The $2 surcharge per ISIC processed in New Zealand was imposed by the ISTC Steering Committee on 1 November last year not October at you state.

(h) The gross revenue (not including the $2 surcharge) from the sale of ISIC's last financial year was $36475.00 (i.e. 28825 ISIC's at $3 per ISIC processed.)

(i) It is projected that the nett income from ISIC Sales and other trading will enable the company to have repaid its current operating loss no later than 31 March 1982.

(j) The debt the company took over from NZUSA in respect to AUS Student Travel Pty Ltd was an Australian dollar debt. Thus as at 31 March 1979 for example the amount owing to STB Ltd by NZ USA is in fact in excess of $NZ22,000. Further—more it is the current intention that this debt be also be repaid by way of the ISIC surcharge. It will be achieved by the date you mentioned of 1981 (depending on the fortunes of the NZ dollar vis-a-vis the Australian dollar.)

(k) For the record the UCSA (Canterbury) Executive resolved in principle in August last year to pro-vide a pro rata guarantee based on an overdraft of $100,000. They have subsequently declined to honour this committemnt. Similarly the MUSA (Massey) Executive resolved in principle to do the same but based on an overdraft of $125,000. Your article correctly reports the actions of both these NZ USA constituents since that time.

(l) In respect to STB head office operations in Student Union House the rent sought and charges prepared for certain secretarial services provided to STB by NZUSA the Board of Directors of STB Ltd believed were excessive. It should be noted that NZUSA's negotiating team refused to consider office re-organisation to allow STB to o operate more effectively in Student Union House.

(m) The Board of Directors of STB resolved on Saturday 12 May to sign an offer of lease for office space in Courtney Place and move from Student Union House. This decision was reported to NZUSA's May Council verbally and in writing following the signing of the offer of lease on Wednesday 16 May. NZUSA held an SGM on this matter (and related question!) on Wednesday 27 June. STB has not yet moved (although the obligation imposed by way of the offer of lease in my view makes this inevitable in the near future) and if the move takes place a period of at least two months will have elapsed between the notice of the move occurring and the event happening. Not an unreasonable time period in my view.

(n) I have observed the Canterbury situation and the debate on the move to withdraw from MUSA and I would disagree that the guarantee question was "a major stimulus for the withdrawal issue." In my view the difference between individuals at Canterbury and NZUSA other constituents (who are of course NZUSA) hat been on political questions. I note with interest in this regard that when put to the rank and fund file members of Canterbury recently they voted by a significant majority to remain in NZUSA.

I hope the above is of interest and assistance to your readers.

A Letter of Thanks

This letter it to express our sincere thanks to all the students, both local and overseas students, who have supported our campaign to oppose the fees increase of $1,500.00 for private overseas students enrolling next year in universities. The campaign, which had included marches to Parliament on two occasions, petitions etc, have succeeded in the fees raise being dropped for the overseas high school students presently in New Zealand. We also give special thanks to NZUSA, our Student Association, NOSAC, the academic staff and alto Salient newspaper for their hard work and support in the campaign.

Discriminatory Fees

I would like to take issue with Mr Abu Sajed regarding his views on overseas students and discriminatory fees. He is of the opinion that an overseas student has no rights apart from that accorded to a visitor (Salient 2/7/79) and has no right to an education unless depednent on diplomatic status. Such a statement on his part shows that he is quite confused as to the basis of his stay in New Zealand. An overseas student is in all respects a resident, not a visitor. His period of residency is subjected only to the conditions of his student permit and not because he or the possesses a passport recognised by the New Zealand Government. A resident in accordance with the United Nations and international conventions should be subjected to the same rights and laws at the citizen in the country in which the person is residing.

To transform the question of discriminatory fees into one of 'rights and privileges' again shows your lack of understanding of the issue. No one has any doubts that the Government can do whatever it pleases. What in effect the Muldoon Government has done is to put up different rules for different people in regards to entry, into tertiary institutions on the basis of nationality. Is this desirable?

The only criteria for having to pay $1500 depends on where you come from without regard to individual circumstances. This is a complete reversal of the government policy of taking in students from as varied a background as possible, irrespective of wealth. The arbitrary manner in which this new ruling is implemented may set dangerous precedents. What will happen when the economic situation gets worse? Will the government tell prospective workers from the Islands that they can come to New Zealand only if they promise not to use the health facilities since things are so tough? Perhaps the next step would be to make Islanders and other non-citizens pay for their children's primary education, who knows?

Mr Sajed it alto of the view that if New Zealand has taken a part in 'siphoning' off a country's wealth then it hat a moral duty to help that country, i.e. a moral duty can only arise when there it a colonial relationship. This is definitely a far-cry from Islamic or Christian principle! Surely this places too heavy a burden on the Conquistadors? Anyways lest he forgets New Zealand did have a committment to Malaysia and Singapore in the past. New Zealand forces were actively engaged in military actions against the Malaysian people throughout the 50's and 60's. This has resulted in the stabilisation of a corrupt and undemocratic government in both countries. Now the New Zealand Government has decided to cater for the elite of both Malay and Singaporeans by selling them education at the beastly turn of $1,500.

I want to make it perfectly clear that there's no way I'll ever be grateful to a government which has consistently smeared and attacked overseas students for no apparent reasons apart from perper-tuating lies. My sympathy to you Mr Sajed for you have eyes yet failed to see. Like you say education it a privilege yet you have failed to learn.

Holocaust

One may choose to be a Communist, Homosexual or General Dissident. One may not choose to be a Gypsy or a Jew. Please remember what wholesale slaughter of a RACE meant, when compairing numbers exterminated in the death camps.

Any programme good or mediocre that reminds us what race discrimination can lead to it valuable.

M.D.E.C.

A Woman's Place

Well.....you expected replies to Mr Entell's letter.....you now have at least one!

I must say, that as a woman I whole heartedly agree with his suggestions on our education. Although I am at university I consider the main reason for doing a BCA on my part is that it will be a brilliant way of enabling me to catch a man! I look forward to do [unclear: accorinting] and wait........ nay long, for the time when I was married and become a permanent housewife and mother of hundreds (well, maybe 10).

I consider that the thirty year gap between now and my marriage should be profitably spent in a nice clerical job after obtaining a degree and saving up in a home-ownership account and also saving to be able to support 'my love'. I will also continue to study cooking books and [unclear: rasmon] magazines in the hope that my marriage prospects may be increased by being an absolutely stunning little raver and a veritable Cordon Bleu!

I expect that some of those asexual, Liberated, (excuse me) flappy titled bitches with IQs of the same level as I. B. Flapworth will reply to Mr Entell's previous letter decrying his pearls of wisdom. Well. . . . girls, (?) wouldn't you like something to arm for [unclear: in tiler I look forward] to a future glorious life of security, domination by my hubby, intimidation and exploitation! Who could ask for more??!

Lots of love to any prospective hubby.

Reply to "Migrate"

I refer to Loh Seng's letter (Salient 9/7/79)

While I do appreciate an individuals'; right to free expression of his viewpoint. I certainly cannot stand him releasing black wind from his stinking arsehole in my presence.

Whether Loh Seng is your true name or not, you appear to be only a lunatic, knowing not what you are screaming and grumbling about. Perhaps it is because of the effect of the full moon at the time.

I refer particularly to your sentences like "..... to increase the quality of the product "and" "..... to offer overseas students crumbs." If you feel you are offered crumbs, why the hell did you still stick your arse here for? If you seek to condemn the courses which have benefited thousands of Malaysians so far, take ray advice, it is high time that you look for a psychiatrist. Don't leave it till too late.

I am grateful for New Zealand offering me the chance of tertiary education. What I get is cream, not the bloody crumb you claim. Loh Seng, don't confuse yourself. The crumbs you mentioned were: just your own hardened shit from your yesterday's constipation.

I refer also to your sentence ".......in this stinking rat-hole." Well, if you don't like this country, by all means raise you stinking arse and get lost. There is no reason for you to stay here and condemn it to such a degree. You do not appreciate the opportunity this country has offered you. You are ungrateful. If this is a stinking rat-hole, remember that you are the father rat. You are the one who stinked the hole as you excreted the biggest and wettest shit.

Nobody deprived you of the chance to get a decent education in the University of Peking. Surely their ideology suits you. No doubt Chairman [unclear: Mao] is now dead, but this does not mean that Chairman Hua will offer you an "indecent" education. It is a superb idea that you obtain a degree from there and lead a revolution in Malaysia.

Please do not use "our people" or "we" any more in your future letters, because people like you are not qualified to do so. Your viewpoint and opinion in no way represent those of the other Malaysians on this campus and in Malaysia. You have insulted us by doing so.

A concerned Malaysian.

Malaysian Replies to Racist

To balance up a typical Malaysian Gov't cheap propaganda by Abu Sajed, I would like to express the general feeling felt by the majority of the people back in Malaysia.

Finally I advise Abu to crawl out from the coconut shell in which he has been shadowed for too long under the umbrella of racism.

Another Silly Letter

It is with sorrow that I note the demise of my wife's second cousin's best friend Arnold (J.C) Grope, who, incensed at your supposed interference in his evangelical crusade and you continuing refusal to publish his letters, has finally bitten the white line an Old Karori Road and gone around the proverbial twist. But, I daresay, this Godless institution shall struggle on regardless.

Of course, student life is pretty rough, and the student's association is not helping the situation. The cost of three square roots a day is going up in leaps and bounds, as is the risk involved in swiping Barrett's hotel glasses. And now that the price of a dozen of our staple die-try unit has risen to monumental proportions, I'd say we're just about out of it. But Studass can only come up with the same old ideas - these marches and associated parliamentary crappola.

What is needed is a fresh approach and an attack on the source of our problems. You could teach a tortoise to sing sooner than teach a politician to think, so before you go off to apply green armour-plating to Gwen Rowling's shoulderblades, I would suggest that present approaches should be sent down the tube.

Our first priority must be the removal of locks on armoured freightways vans. That, and the new printing press currently being installed in the swimming pool custodian's office, should solve the liquidity problems of your average student-in-the-street. And if all else fails, I suggest we circumvent Muldoon's crowd altogether and declare our own government — New Zealand ruled by VUW could only flourish. We could even put the subsidy back on piss!!

The (National anthem or similar inserted as background here) prevailing gloom in our beloved nation need not continue. It it up to you and I, and all our cricket loving people, to take the lead (the emotion is bladder-rending at this stage). Death to hedgehogs, Wombats are forever.

A Burning Issue

T. Scotney's blatant attempts at self-justification are totally absurd. Her hapless drivel can in no way be accepted as even remotely plausible.

I would have thought it patently obvious that the English language according to myself is the best method yet devised by Man as a means of self-expression, — this is an indisputable fact.

What relevance from 557 B.C. and Caesar (which one?) to the current discussion?

The error made by T. Scotney is common and therefore cannot be described as "creative, innovative and original".

Yes, the P.S. is the single most crucial issue facing mankind in the forseeable future, and why should I have a sense of humour? — some people have to be different.

The additions to T. Scotney's letter are childish and petty, and I would much prefer a total lack of willingness to compromise, if at all possible.

N.B. "meas amicos" is clearly incorrect, in any language.)

We Want Merv

The Minister of Education owes the students of New Zealand and overseas students studying here, an appearance as well as an explanation of matters concerning the Bursary System.

As far as I am concerned the minister should crawl out from beneath his stone, state his case, crawl back under again so as the whole student body can jump on his stone and squish him!

Personal

May I through your paper, pass on a message to one G. R. Howell, alias Raz, alias Gumboot Maniac of Vic house.

A Leopard Never Changes it's Spots!

As a Malaysian I am ashamed of the inhuman feelings expressed by Dr Mahatir in his recent statement on the plight of the Vietnamese refugees.

Mahatir's racist attitude towards non-Malays is well-known. However, most people thought that his racist attitude would have been watered down now that he has been appointed a Deputy P.M.

His present policy is a clear extension of the distasteful things he has advocated in the book' "The Malay Dilemna".

The main reason for preventing these refugees landing in Malaysia simply because most of them are of Chinese origin. If they were Muslims, I am absolutely sure that Mahatir and his racist collegues will open up new lands to resettle them. Malaysia has plenty of underdeveloped land.

This has been done on at least three previous occasions when Muslim refugees from Cambodia and elsewhere arrived.

I dread to think of what will happen if Mahatir becomes the P.M. Probably he may follow the present Vietnamese policy and send all the non-Malays to the seas!

Robert Wong.

A man on the Way Up

Andrew Tees is clearly destined for political prominence and if you don't print this the accusations of a left-wing bias in your publication are well-founded.

Andrew's Rounded Up

Ian Andrews, writer of but weeks "local Rock Round Up", speaks through the hole he sits on.

He claims that he is endeavouring to spark interest in the local rock scene, yet critisizes and pulls down most of the bands he speaks about. And, apart from molesting his own aims, he generally speaketh a load of shit.

Just because he himself, and only himself, does not like the blues, that does not automatically make all blues-rock "boring" and "repititious." Music is not to be judged by its class, rather, it's merits within its class, or classes. Contrary to what he claims, Rough Justice are a good band. They are talented and play their R & B better than most New Zealand groups. It's unfortunate that they have not attained the recognition they deserve. What's more, if you don't like them don't go and see them! Only a right cretin would go and see something half a dozen times when the didn't like it the first time. I also find that the clothes a group wears have little influence on the quality of the music.

Another group you seem to dislike is Street Talk. How can a group receive "consistently larger audiences than they deserve."? This obviously shows their talent and popularity even if they don't have the almighty Ian Andrews Seal Of Approval. Street Talk are, in a word brilliant.

In general, the write up in last weeks Salient appeared to me to be an account of the bands you've heard over the last six months, and said little of the actual places. I wasn't allowed into the Last Resort with a can of coke (which they don't sell) and that in itself says enough of the management of that place. The Rock Theatre has a decent management but is more like a concert hall than a personal night spot. The band-audience relationship there is zilch. Sure the music's good (in case anyone got the opposite impression) but a little more could be expected of the actual place.

Which brings up another point. The music, generally, is good. The musicians work hard for a few scummy bucks and they don't need any fuckwits showing off their almighty ignorance by writing them off with a few worthless words. Smashed Executive, Johnny Mono, and the Steroids show a lot of promise, while bands like Medusa (for whom I did not see a mention of a word about) and Rough Justice have shown their promise with consistent performances.

One night at the Last Resort ( a few weeks ago) Medusa played before an audience of 20 like it was playing before 2000. This shows the typical Wellington bands dedication. No pulling out because of inadequate P.A. systems from this lot. So much for the "shit from Wellington."

So, Ian Andrews, just remember who you are You are in no position to rubbish bands like these, As much as you'd like to think you are, you aren't the world's leading music critic — just an assholes.

SPiKE AmINal

An Average Sexist Letter

Re Daniel Stenwick's letter in the last issue. I wholeheartedly agree with every one of the points he and Mr En tell raised. However, I must point out that, although all women are below average this do not mean that there is such a thing as an average [unclear: w] man. However far below the average male she may be, she must still exist somewhere, surely!

Men's Lib (etc.)

A Better Discriminatory Fee

Why are catholics allowed at this university? Don't you think that they should be made to pay $1,500 p.a. also to pay for the privelege of studying here? I'm sure I'll have lots of support!

Ban the Haps burgs!

A Bad Case of Theft

Through your column I would like to appeal to Mr B. G. Kelly. Apparently he met a young lady of my acquaintance at a duel this afternoon. It has reached my can that the only thing she has been heard to say since then is, "What a man, B. G., what a man".

Now, I ask you, what kind of a state is that for a poor, wee, girl to be in? If you've stolen her heart B. G. Kelly, you deserve a fate worse than 724404-6699230!!

Gee - Ain't the Cafe Luverly

Strewth! wot with the "Rice Risotto", I think in the roll, not to mention, raisons, apple, wet cole slaw, celery and white stuff, corned beef (corned beef isn't a crime except in the company of the other shit.)

What happened to good old fshioned wholesome, the American way, good old fashioned apple pie like mom used to make, tomato, lettuce, egg, cheese, ham, chicken (hate salami) No beetroot or it'll end up on the floor. Also a complaint from Dune about the black bits in the custard squares, and also there was no icing. Kyle however had a pie that was nice (B.A. student.)

Cordial being passed off as fruit juice at 25c per cup. Heaters on all during summer. Chips, milkshakes and burgers should be available up stairs, and vending drink machines like wot used to be in the gym. Pinball not operational during early mornings peep bing bing tweet twot, when everyone is still trying to sleep.

The service of the downstairs staff is atrocious, yeah, wot, and put the change on the counter, we want service with a smile like wot the ANZ gives on telly.

Can't think of anything else and am running out of paper. Yours in disgust.

Kyle, Dune, Musk, Pink, Tony

Please note that the letter which you published over my name in your edition of July 9, 1979, was not written by me.

The Costs of Overseas Students

Regarding the correspondence submitted by Loh Seng under the heading 'The Facts on Overseas Students' in Salient Volume 42, No 15, 9 July 1979.

We take extreme exception to the polemic and biased stance taken by its bigotted author. We suggest that if Loh Seng finds New Zealanders' only chance for Tertiary education so restrictive, crumby, petty and of so low quality, that he leave our "oppressive shores."

We as New Zealanders and, regardless of what he may think, proud of it, must accept he restrictions and quotas placed on New Zealanders' entry to many specialised courses. We further recognize the need to exclude overseas [unclear: studer m] some of these in order to fill our own [unclear: req. ments] for these specialists from the shrinking education allocation of the budget.

We also take exception to his assertion that. "The University system does not incur any extra costs for taking overseas students; neither does it do so at the expense of local students." We suggest that Loh Seng should wake up to the facts of life and stop dreaming. If less overseas students were enrolled in courses with restricted numbers, there would be more places for New Zealanders or lower costs, due to subsequent decreases in staff and resource material required e.g. in ACCY 101, COML 101, ECON 101, 111, 112 and BUAD 113 to name but a few.

If our university system is as bad as he makes it out to be then the only recourse open to overseas students is to employ the tactics of consumer resistance or to write to 'Fair Go' — which are New Zealanders' only courses of action, unless we leave for greener pastures. Unlike our foreign friend we consider that buying guns, violence and murder is inconsistent with the aim of promoting world peace and equality in accordance with the United Nations stated goals.

As to his reference to this University as a "Stinking rat-hole" we suggest, if the cap fits, wear it. Perhaps if he left, it would be a far more pleasurable one to work in. Indeed if he approaches us we would be glad to wave him goodbye from the airport. Unfortunately our being students prohibits our sponsoring his immediate departure.

Racism in Malaysia

Abu Sajed gets my vote of "The Most Confused Person of the Year" Award. His brilliant letter on those wretched, vile and racist immigrant races is an absolute delight to read! I could have sworn that he had plucked a few comments from the book written by 'Straight-Shoot-em' Mahatr B. Mohd in "The Malay Dilemma". It sure is, comforting to know that there's someone around who shares similar views with that nasty little author who advocated the shooting of Vietnamese refugees.

Begging forgiveness, there are a few points I would like to make in reply to that excellent letter. Abu Sajed seems to confuse racism with inverse discrimination. Put simply, racism is racial discrimination based on the notion of race superiority, intolerance and hatred of people of a different race. Racism is when everything depends on me colour of your skin.

Inverse discrimination is when you give additional assistance to less-privileged minority groups in order to improve their standard of living by giving them more opportunities. This is not done at the expense of other better-off groups. In Malaysia you have a most blatant form of racial discrimination. In a country where 80% of the people of all races are poor, it makes little sense to single out a certain ethnic group to give it assistance while at the same time denying others the opportunities for employment, education and health facilities.

Poverty in Malaysia is not confined to a single ethnic group. Poverty cuts across communal lines. Inverse discrimination is a myth in Malaysia. Behind the rhetoric and the exhortations about the need to help the 'indigenous people' is an insidious and crude form of apartheid not easily noticeable to the outsider.

To label Malaysians of non—Malay origin as 'Immigrant races' is crass ignorance. Malaysians of non-Malay origin are just as much Malaysians as those of Malay origin. It serves little purpose in dividing Malaysians up according to where their fathers or fore-fathers originally came from. To assert that so-called 'immigrant races' have stubbornly refused to integrate is fictitious. Abu Sajed undoubtedly believes integration is a good thing. Perhaps he has not heard of such alternatives as multi-culturalism or multi-lingualism. To accept integration as good without more than a rudimentary knowledge of the actual situation in Malaysia (perhaps I'm being overly generous) is a great disservice to yourself. As for refusing to speak and use Bahasa Malaysia, Abu must be unaware that the present generation of Malaysians from all ethnic-origins is well-versed in the national language.

Abu Sajed even has the cheek to talk about the 'Malaysian way of life'. Since he has pronounced himself qualified to write about the Malaysian way of life', I hope he will be more explicit in his next letter as to the definition of the term. It is difficult to understand why Abu compared the Malaysians of non-Malay origin with that of a Greek immigrant in New Zealand. Such a comparison is absurd. A Malaysian of non-Malay origin is as much a Malaysian as Muldoon is a New Zealander. But why the hell doesn't Muldoon learn to speak Maori? After all he is part of an 'immigrant race' which settled in Aotearoa shortly before the turn of the century isn't he? Why doesn't the Pakeha integrate with the Maori way of life? To indulge in such comparisons to fondly pursued by Abu Sajed is fruitless. Where will it all end? In the Garden of Eden?

Tardy Results

Firstly I would like to complain about the apparant lack of interest shown by the econ 101 dept. in releasing the mid year results. How come all the other depts have everything in order whilst the imbecile fuckwits in the "Prefabs on the Prairie" are stil twiddling their thumbs or whatever.

As for a fuckwit, this Bertram goof hasn't been told that students can't be expected to write as fast as he speaks, i.e. flat knackers and touching 2000 words per minute. Actually I think that Burtram with his fire engine coat is aiming for the Tees lookalike contest. Even the knee high shorts are similar.

Next is the price rises in the Milk Bar of the cafe, the only trouble is that it seems to coincide with a drop in quality.

And to those of you who are confused by my identity I am definitely not Les Cleveland's prodigal son. I came from a distinguished line of Flapworths dating back a couple of years.

The Facts about Canterbury

I was not impressed with your editorial "Can-terbuury in Again, Again." I acknowledge that an editorial is an expression of opinion, but in all fairness shouldn't the readers be given some access to the 'facts' upon which this opinion wa formed. How many articles about Canty's withdrawal movements have been published in Salient. More to the point, how many Cantas have been distributed around campus, giving an alternative opinion.

I found the editorial somewhat misleading, 800 to 500 votes isn't, to my mind a particularly convincing loss. Not when those votes are only 1300 of a possible 7000 votes, and the majority was 61% of votes. It would only take 150 voters to change their minds for that motion of withdrawal to have been passed.

I would like to dispute the statement that the anti-NZUSA movement is not "ground-swell" ie the feelings of the vast majority. Even the above figures suggest that any such ground swell is at least that of a very substantial minority. I attedded last years attempt to get out of NZUSA at Canterbury - the vast majority of students present were against NZUSA - the motion was only defeated after twenty minutes of spectuacular oratory by the president of Otago. He promised to personally stand over NZUSA to make sure they towed the line. (Of course he resigned a little later to a comfy job).

The feeling amongst the students I was in contact with, in my various classes, who form part of the apathetic majority was definitely anti ALL student politics. A feeling demonstrated by the multitude of darts and calls when any student politician attempted to canvas support in lectures.

Mr Beach states that one of the reasons "why we don't need NZUSA" is because it does not deal with matters "concerning" students. How right he is - any student population is a diverse body with liberals, radicals, conservatives, apa-thetics, and everything rise. There is no way a student politician (elected by a very small body of students) can issue a statement that accurately reflects the majority, let alone all, student opinion (and by majority opinion, I mean majority of university students, not just the majority of "politically aware" students!)

He sums up anti—NZUSA feeling as generated because "few students seem to understand what their national association is and what it does." And whose fault is that?

And just in passing, "the liaison between national officers based in Wellington and Govt..... officials is built around a personal contact basis is cited as a reason for retaining NZUSA. But other than breaking the bad news first on bursarys etc., (courtesy the tea lady?) it has yet to have yielded any positive results — finding out that our bursarys Should be raised $9.00 doesn't make the bitter pill of reality any better!

Just remember Mr Beach, that in democracies it is appreciated if more than one opinion can be given!

Another Bleeding Heart Liberal

Living in your comfortable, safe, stereo, t.v., plenty of nice food and drink environments do you human rights campaigners really give a shit about the majority of the Southern African Blacks. I know of one Mozambique worker who returned to S.A. whose only comments about his newly acquired freedom was, "you can't eat freedom." After an initial period of having subhuman elements roaming the countryside armed with Russian weapons raping, pillaging and killing we reap the profits and starve.

Fairyland ideals should remain locked in your immature minds as there is no room for them in this harsh world.

Honourable kiwis are already fighting in this area to protect the innocent civilians from brutal acts. They are practical supporters of human rights. The right not to be killed, raped or have your home looted.

Do you make allowances for their atroceties, them being savage and not civilized, you must as you do not mention any of their subhuman acts. Did I hear a word about the shooting of the plane crash survivors? Not bloody likely. People and animals don't do acts on that level. Only subhuman bastards drop to that level. Your friends

Reviewer Issues Challenge

Help! I'm being maligned! Dr Sparrow, you were wrong! They Are out to get me! (And incidentally, Doctor, the rash hasn't gone away, but the Locoid's working wonders.) But back to the matter in hand:

Zounds! A.B. Pointon has caught me with my credentials down. But listen, A. B., you don't know what it's like! Slaving over a hot typewriter deep into the night, ceaselessly screwing one's pretentiousness to the sticking place, one's purile mind distractedly fretting over Kathy Drysdale (oops! now everbody knows!) — oh, you just don't know what it is to be a film critic these days.......

And what thanks do I (sob) get? None! And to think I'm only doing it to finance my grandmother's hysterectomy and buy calipers for my [unclear: or] phaned niece....Oh, is there no charity left in the world?

But seriously, folks. I'm glad A. B. Pointon likes my column, even if s/he misunderstands what I say. Which is probably because I don't understand half what I babble on about, myself. In my case, I make it a policy never to go to the movies I write about.

Still, things must be put right. It was the 3rd time I saw Carrie, Not the 5th, that I noticed the cars driving backwards. So there. But A. B. Pointon is right about many things (I Do buy my own tickets, which has got me an established column, which is great because I just Love to hear the sound of my own voice), so I'll take his/her advice to heart.

Hang on, though. I've just had a brainwave-not something that happens every day, as I'm sure you're aware. Because I think discussion of plays and books and films etc. is desirable, and should be as wide as possible, why don't A. B. and I both write a review for next week's edition? Let's say, of 'Interiors'. Keeping it to about 750 words each, and submitting it by high noon this Wednesday. That way, A. B. Pointon gets to put his/her money where his/her mouth is, and also, Salient's readers get a wider range of opinions with which to compare their own.

The gauntlet is down, A.B.