Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1931. Volume 2. Number 2.

Editorial. — Noxious Reading

Editorial.

Noxious Reading.

The Students' Handicap.

Whatever psychologists affirm regarding the vital spur to human endeavour and the ethics of good and bad conduct, it must be admitted finally by all that primarily the happiness of the individual and secondarily of the greatest number are the only standards by which our moral actions may be judged by Virtue, Health, Wisdom, Pleasure, Reflection—all suggesting ends of life are embodied in individual happiness in varying relations. Happiness, not Pleasure, is the ultimate state for which these wretched, struggling masses around us are labouring.

Some think to find it in the realms of the unconscious, reeling periously through life on a diet of debauchery. The dreamers seek it in ineffectual meditation and in idle craving. Many—and the University—is the founder of the School—dilate their minds and dissipate their lives on the foul filterings of the foul minds that generate the Modern Novel.

What possible use can these overstrained revolting truths about some few of our number secure in crumbling the ideals of those meek, defenceless millions who ordinarily would pass through life unaware of their existence?

An observer will notice that it is the student of literature, forced to soak his mind in tales of degraded lives, and the ordinary heavy reader—reputed to spend "all his money on books"—who is ever wrestling with the tortures of pessimism, fatalism and bitterness. Not only is he tarnished by the viciousness of one aberrated writer but by a whole jostling pack of crude cudweeds vieing with each other in an effort to draw the most profane, exaggerated, perplexing and horrible caricature of what should always be held universally sacred.

The natural repugnance of those who cling to the illusions of youth, avoiding distasteful reading, abhoring this shallow-pataed trifling with the inviolate is by their friends skilfully reduced to a system of complexes. The idealistic few can make little headway in any advanced English class, and are branded as ignorant.

Notwithstanding the amusement and lofty contempt the attitude creates, the minds of such people, are the most normal, the most unspoilt, and therefore the happiest. And if the new day will bring to one no added measure of happiness, it would be really just as well no to bother to rise in the morning.

The impious modern Novel as exemplified by a reading of recent best-sellers is to be treated as an economic utility for those who feel the necessity of it, but not as a standard of Literature, not as an emblem of modern thought—never as an aid to optimism.

Crambe Repetita.

A critique appearing in last year's "Canta," the unofficial Canterbury College rag, concluded a few delicate remarke with a rider to the effect that the aim of the committee was obviously to sell this magazine.

Recently we made a point of giving "Canta" our serious consideration, and have pleasure in announcing that we now understand this peculiar comment. Any effort to produce a paper that will sell must indeed seem a novel one to the editoral committee of the Canterbury College magazine.

page 2

College Of Electors.

Since we last went to press a general meeting has been held by which the fate of the College of Electors scheme was decided. The issue was fought as one between the system of proportional representation recommended. by the Recess Committee and the College of Electors system, as proposed by the Executive, and the meeting decided by a substantial majority against the Executive's proposals. Subsequent to the meeting, the secretary, Mr Plank, and Mr. Macduff resigned from the Executive. Although, we feel the action was hardly as dignified as might have been expected, we feel that our thanks should be extended to these gentlemen for their work during 1930, and especially to Mr. Plank, who, in spite of much criticism and contumely, worked unflaggingly in the interests of the students. Mr. Eric Mahoney is to fill Mr. Plank's position as Secretary, and Mr. Fred. Cormack is to take Mr. Macduff's place on the Coemmittee [sic]. We congratulate both gentlemen.

Another general meeting will shortly be held to consider the recommendations of the Recess Committee concerning the Students' Association Constitution. The most important of those recommendations we would like to remind students are:—
(a.)The institution of the office of paid Secretary-Treasurer to the Executive, to have voice but no vote at Executve meetngs.
(b.)The formation of a Social Committee to run all College dances and to control Capping celebrations.
(c.)The formation of Two Common-Room Committees to control common-room affairs.
(d.)The representation of the Professorial Board on the Executive Committee.

Although the political tension was greatly eased by the last meeting's decision on the College of Electors issue, students will see that many important suggestions are yet to be considered.

Capping Celebrations.

We feel that the activities of the College representatives off the sports grounds at the Tournament were a complete fiasco, and for this the Executive must take a considerable portion of the blame. However, the Executive have an opportunity of redeeming themselves in the arrangement of Capping Celebrations. If live Capping functions go off successfully the Executive's past sins of omission may be forgotten, and eprhaps forgiven. The big events of Capping for all students are the Procession, the Extravaganza, and the Graduation Ceremony. We presume the ceremony is to be a public function, but we have heard only the vaguest rumours concerning the Extravaganza, which seems to be yet some distance from the rehearsal stage.

Finally we would exhort those engaged in the Capping Procession to set about arranging stunts immediately. The first stunt thought of is not alawys the best, and if those concerned do nothing more than discuss the procession with their fellows the ground will have been broken and the enthusiasm necessary to carry the programme through will be aroused. We must have enthusiasm, but it must be organised enthusiasm, and the sooner the Heremai Club set about organising that enthusiasm the better.

Men's Common-Room.

We feel that an editorial, protest should be penned regarding the disgraceful state into, which the men's Common-room has been allowed to fall. Mr Plank, in his last report of Executive activities, assured the students that the magazines and furniture in the Common-rooms were their property, and provided by their money. His attention aroused, by this assurance, the men student discovers- that the magazines are non-existent, and that the furniture has been depleted daring the last two weeks to three armchairs and a couch. Last year a few belated "Punches" did find their way into the men's wilderness, but for 1931 the supply has seemingly ceased for both Common-rooms. It is rumoured that they go far to enliven the monotony of business-meetings of the Executive. Furthermore, what appears to be a week's accumulation of filth on the floor does not add to the comfort or cleanliness of the men's Common-room. Surely it is time a Common-room Committee was set up, or else that the Executive should take more care of the Common-rooms. Also may we ask whether the N.U.S. intend to preserve the Common-room as a second-hand book-exchange for the whole of the year? Last year this room pursued an inglorious course as part-time Committee-room, part-time comfortable "swotting"-place for the men, but we fail to see that its activities this year are in any greater degree those for which it was intended. The institution of a real Common Common-room is one very badly needed at Victoria College, where what should be a wholesome camaderie of the sexes is confined to furtive meetings by the letter-box.

The Tournament.

All loyal Wikitorians present at the recent Tournment will remember certain aspects of it with shame and indignation. First we shall never forget the haka debacle at the Boxing, secondly the poor figure cut by the tennis representatives, and finally we have no reason to be proud of the performance of the swimming team. Admittedly, the swimming team were runners-up to the other three colleges, and our lofty eminence of runners-up was gained, although we did not score a single point. We have referred to the haka, or lack of it—things have come to a pretty pass when we dare not produce our mascot at the Tournament Hall because we had an insufficient number competent to perform a haka when it was produced. Tournament is at Wellington next year, and it behoves the Executive to set about getting a really good haka immediately, and, above all, teaching it to all students, whether or not they intend taking part in next year's Tournament. It will be a lasting disgrace if the students of the town in which the Tournament is held cannot give expression to that College spirit we all think we have. The Constitutional Recess Committee very wisely communicated with other Colleges, and from the knowledge at their disposal evolved something concrete for the consideration of students. Let the Executive take a leaf from their book by scrapping the old haka, and then by having a selected group of students taught haka at some Haeremai pie evening—the best to be settled by vote and learnt immediately. The Haka Committee could also with advantage obtain some more College songs from the Australian Universities. The question is an urgent one and we should suggest that the Executive take immediate action.

page 3

Dr. T. Z. Koo.

"A man of brilliant and attractive personality and a magnificent speaker."

It is in these terms that one of the keenest observers of youth movements—Basil Matthews—has written of Dr. T. Z. Koo.

Dr. Koo is a graduate of St. John's University. Shanghai. For nine years he was a member of the Administrative Department of the Chinese Railway Service, In 1918, however, he joined the staff of the National Committee of the Y.M.C.A. of China. In 1925 he was one of the three chosen by 34 Chinese organisations to represent his country at the Second Opium Conference called by the League of Nations. The following year he was a delegate to the Conference of the Institute of Pacific Relations at Honolulu. Mr. Walter Nash, M.P., one of the N.Z. delegates, says that "Dr. Koo was one of the most brilliant Christians from China. Clear and able in the presentation of any case he was talking on, he brought a viewpoint of the feelings and outlook of the people of China that was entirely new to the people of the Western World."

This cultured scholar and speaker is vice-chairman of the World Student Christian Federation. He is passing through New Zealand on his way to attend the meeting of the Executive of the Federation to be held in U.S.A. in July. 1931.

The Chinese nation is in the melting-pot; her leaders are preparing her future form. What that form will be is of the utmost importance to all nations. She has produced great scholars and philosophers, and her thinkers and statesmen must play an increasingly important part on the stage of international affairs.

It is the privilege of New Zealanders to hear and meet one of China's great thinkers and student leardes.

Dr. Koo will spend a mouth in New Zealand, and his visit to Wellington will include the following:—
(1.)

Saturday, 9th May, 1931.

Morning: Civic reception at Town Hall.

(2.)

Sunday, 10th May, 1931.

11 a.m., St. John's Presbyterian Church.

7 p.m.. Wesley Church. Taranaki Street. (Brodcast [sic] service).

(3.)

Monday, 11th May, 1931.

8 p.m.. Public Address in Wesley Church, Taranaki street.

8 p.m.. Address to Students and friends at V.U.C.

(5.)

Thursday, 28th May, 1931.

8 p.m.. V.U.C.

(6.)Friday. 29th May, 1931.
(4.)

Wednesday, 27th May, 1931.

Afternoon: Address at Teachers' Training College, Kelburn.

What Does Mr. Plank Think?

It is felt that the crying need of the Tennis Club is not so much a wider back line space as a sound experienced elementary coach.

Magnanimity. or Chairman into Cook.

First Verse (to be sung softly and simply at the beginning, rising to a crescendo of joy).

When the singings hushed at last
And when Fabian chants no more,
And the final jests are passed.
"Tis the cook who takes the floor.
With a smoking saveloy (
In his high aesthetic hand,
There appears the lofty Mountjoy
With a smile elate and bland.

Chorus (plaintively and reverently):

Oh! Joey Jun.,
The hungrys' boon,
Who bringest soon
A saveloy,

Deal with the kai
With manner high,
To those who cry
And moan and sigh

For J. Mount—joy!

Second Verse (a Paean of praise and thanksgiving).

'Tis the voice that moves men's souls.
'Tis the form that thrills girls' hearts.
A debater, match for Powles,
He appears! and supper starts!!
For he comes and feeds the Club-pub
Which has scoffed at Joe's oration
Which has jeered and raised a hubbub,
Like the famous bull of Bashan.

Chorus (plaintively and reverently, preferably with an harmonium).

Give thanks to Joe!
For men may go
And come—but lo!
There's one who stays

And leads the throng
Of those who long
(As sath the song)
For liquors strong,
To better ways.

—C.G.M.

Interjection Competition.

This month's interjection Competition, inaugurated by "Smad" in an effort to enliven College meetings and debates has been won by Mr. H. J. Bishop.

During the recent debate on the College Lad and his attendant peculiarities, Mr. Clement G. Watson was liberating his usual critical review of these people info whose midst he has been so cruelly thrown. "A gentleman." declared Clement, "is one who is content always to remain in the background He does not intrude too much upon the public's attention. He says very little and rarely ventures an opinion unless forced to do so." He paused to run a lofty eye over the gathering.

"H'm !" Mr. Bishop's voice at the back broke the differential silence. "That's rather blown You out, hasn't it ?"

A boy-proof watch has been forwarded.

page 4

Exit The College of Electors. Or The Reardon Riske Revue.

Quite the best and cleanest show of the year so far was that put on by the Recess Revue Company in the Jym. on the evening of March 25th. It is not the first time that these talented entertainers have been before the public, and they were fortunate to secure the co-operation of the famous Executive Entertainment Body in amusing the audience. Perhaps the most notable fact with these artists is their astonishing versatility. This was not so noticeable in the case of the Executive Body, who prefer to maintain the more conventional roles they portrayed last year, but the members of the Recess Committee astonished and delighted the audience with the ease with which they were able to enact parts totally different from those they handled so ably last year. Mr Reardon is a particularly interesting example of this versatility. Those who were present at this Company's performance last year will remember how Mr. Reardon thrilled hundreds of hearts with his portrayal of the inspired feminist, determined to see justice done to the women at all costs. This year he represented the simple Irish patriot, thrilled more by the alternative vote than by justice to the women, whom he occasionally forgot to address, confining his remarks exclusively to the gentlemen of the audience. We hope to see more of this versatile performer, and especially to see whether, at his next public performance, he does not portray some entirely different character. Mr Riske disappoints us. Last year he represented, most ably, the fiery demagogue, inciting the people to wrath and destruction, but in the recent entertainment, owing to the great length of the performance, he was obliged to omit the greater part of his role. When we did see him he was enacting very successfully the part of the slightly harassed schoolmaster, determined to bluff and bluster his way before a class of refractory children. Particularly amusing aws his rebuke to Master Macduff, a talented child-actor, who attempted to question the facts adduced by Mr. Riske's colleague, the Irish patriot (Mr. Reardon) on the subject of proportional representation. Master Macduff was placated by references to Professor D. M. Y. Somerville and to red herrings.

Other members of the company contribute! to the success of the performance.

Mr. C. N. Watson played the leading part in the comic sub-plot which concerned a swimming club. Mr Carl Watson seemed far from word-perfect in his part, and had to be prompted by Mr. Rollings.

Mr. Bannister took the heart-rending part of a champion of lost causes. Many of the audience were almost moved to tears when this noble-hearted idealist's favourite scheme was definitely defeated by 145 to 4 votes.

Mr. Crossley, the comic uncle of the piece, told interminable witty stories of early Executives, and indulged in amusing dialogue wth the more serious characters of the piece. We hope to hear more of this lever cross-talk artist.

Mr. Hurley provided the tensest dramatic situation of the evening, when re requested that the doors be unlocked. The request was grudgingly acceded to, but the earthquake he so evidently expected was unavoidably delayed. Mr. Hurley conducted the cross-examination of Mr. Rollings in a manner which brought many people to their feet.

Miss Helen Dunn represented a Tory lady of high degree, determined to keep the rabble in its place. Miss Dunn spoke her part very nicely, but her authors had unfortunately failed to give her many striking lines.

Miss Zena Jupp had obviously assumed new stockings, and had had her hair waved for the occasion. and in her efforts to foil the machinations of the Exec. drew inspiration from the Reform Hill of 1832.

Mr. Bishop, of the Executive Entertainment Body, another rigid Tory, appeared to think that even if Waterloo wasn't won on the playing fields of Waitaki is should have been conducted according to the votes of the Hockey Club. Mr Bishop unfortunately introduced a certain amount of humour of the chewing-gum standard into the play, which we would wish to see eliminated from a performance of this order.

Mr. Scotney, the villain of the piece, brandished a question at Mr. Rollings, and Mr. Rollings meekly answered it.

We are promised many more performances by these two talented companies, and are looking for ward to much more clean, bright comedy.

(How temperamental these artists are! We believe that after the entertainment of March 25th two highly emotional members of the Executive resigned from the Company and threw in their parts While regretting their action we realise such things must take place with highly-strung sensitive temperaments.