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The Spike or Victoria University College Review 1931

The Spike or Victoria University College Review

page 5

The Spike or Victoria University College Review

The Editorial Committee invites contributions, either in prose or verse, on any subject of general interest, from students or officials connected with the College. All literary communications should be addressed to The Editor, Victoria College, Wellington.

Subscriptions are now due and are payable to the Business Manager, Victoria College.

Editorial

editorial

To babble of Universities and University life has been the custom since scribblings in the first University magazine soiled vellum. Unfortunately for the reputations of those who have imagined that a University life provides an education worthy of the name, these babblings have usually centred round one theme—What should the University provide for its students? What should we receive from our University education? How should we get the most out of our student life? The questions are put in every conceivable form, but all have the same import—what should we receive; what shall we get?

The outstanding thing in life, as well as in University life, has evidently not impressed itself upon the questioners. How should it? The whole tendency of University education as parcelled out under the present system is to cultivate a habit of blindness to essentials. It is a hotbed of cram fenced round with academic jargon. How can it alone engender understanding, and the greatest power in the world—sympathy?

But in looking at the faults of the system we tend to disregard other and nearer blemishes. The fault, dear students, is not solely in the University, but in ourselves, that we reap but what we sow. We shall receive from life nothing worth having save inasmuch as we give to it an equal amount or more, and the same applies to University life. The question should be—what have we given to the life of the University?

So it may not be amiss here to view the past and state its meaning in the present and perchance a hope for the future. To those who do not care to better University life for others as well as themselves this is not written; to them must be said—"Pass on: for you will find no place here among those who have given of themselves. In like manner you may not have place anywhere in the affections of your fellows . . . this is not meant for you."

When one regards the work of past students, it is forcibly brought home how few are they who have wrought permanently since the first fine fervour of devoted souls brought Victoria some seeming of University feeling. The outward and visible signs we have never had, but in those first years, when the road was heavy and uphill, a splendid spirit was behind the making of a students' ground on the "Old Clay Patch." They who laboured then had some ideal before their eyes, and were prepared to give time and energy to its achievement. What ideal have we to-day who expect to see students' buildings arise from the mere desire to accumulate sufficient capital to commence laying bricks or erecting concrete walls?

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Yes, we desire the outer form. Give us a building where we can read our papers and smoke and talk in comfort, then you shall see the true University. One more is added to the list of forlorn hopes. Where are the signs which show that we have within ourselves sufficient to create such an atmosphere as we imagine the true University possesses, even if we acquire the shell?

Satisfaction with present conditions usually argues the commencement of decline, but it is not equally true that dissatisfaction is always a sign of growth and improvement. When dissatisfaction turns to constant complaint tinctured with tirade it is, on the contrary, a sign of nothing more than spinelessness. The most constant grumbler is usually he with the least spinal support.

Consequently one can see no good in this continual cursing at our University for failing to provide its students with accommodation to which the majority of them have obviously not been accustomed. It is usually the inconsiderable diner who rails at the food.

Perhaps it is not altogether fair to blame the large number of students who consider the common-room furnishings totally unworthy of them. A lack of background is doubtless all that is the matter, and, after all, their treatment of their own property is clear enough evidence that more lavish provision would not be likely to meet with better behaviour.

So much for the material surroundings. Let us view the student attitude to its own institutions—the Clubs, Societies and the Association.

It is lamentably evident that the actual work done for the Clubs rests upon the shoulders of the few. In every case there is lack of combined effort, save where personal advantage or entertainment is to be procured. Students should realise that any Committee can show results commensurate only with the support of the club members. College affairs can prosper only by the aid of all the students. There are always many critics, but few who will themselves shoulder responsibility, devote time and energy to work behind the scenes, and be willing to face criticism in turn. True, there are some who have done so, and in a large student community they will always be found, but the majority are careless to help and correspondingly careful to keep out of the way when there is no hope of tangible reward. These last are usually the fiercest critics. They miss a great deal in University life. Only those who give time to and take trouble with their work can know the spirit of fellowship and the mutual understanding that springs from team work well done for the sake of the team and the work. Friendships made in such fashion are enduring, and if the toil is much the reward, if intangible, brings satisfaction to the individual. When all students are willing to share both work and responsibility in connection with the corporate life of the College, and, while rightfully critical, are willing to back up their criticism by undertaking their fair share of the burden, we may even deserve the things which we now merely desire.

The only persons who will ever receive benefit from their University life are the ones who contribute something of themselves to the life of the University. It does not matter if it be recorded in the books or on the scroll of fame, or only in the hearts of fellow workers. Which last is actually the truest monument.

To those who have given us our student surroundings as they are, those who have given us our student songs, those who have given us some few notable traditions of freedom of student thought, those who have contributed something of worth to our literature and thought, those who on track and field have made history and, more than that, left a memory of good, clean sportsmanship, those who have given much time, care and thought to the Clubs and the Association—to these, and these alone, belongs the right that the University shall give back in some sort a reward for the bounty of their enthusiasm and youth. But these would be the last to ask for any such reward—for them always the gift must and will accompany the doing of their tasks.

If any require telling what such reward may be, say only this: a little striving, much of hope for and faith in your fellows, laughter and song, and, above all, a great and abiding comradeship.

* * * *

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One cannot help noticing with students a blind tendency to be Collegeocentric, if one may coin such a word. Preparation for an unending threat of examinations, and the number of social activities of the College in which he seeks his relaxations seem to keep his mind College-bound. One uses the masculine generically, to include the women as well. If he thinks beyond the immediate and pressing affairs of the University, his interest goes rarely any further than New Zealand affairs: such matter of general conversation, for instance, as the 10 per cent, cut and its immediate effect upon himself. A few manage to think of matters of Imperial interest. But all such affairs, both local and Imperial, must wither into trivialities when compared with matters which he passes by.

In Europe to-day there are two great movements—Fascism and Communism. Irrespective of international boundaries, they cut in horizontal swathes right through the countries of the older world.

The leader of Fascism is the iron man, Mussolini; its ideal, Dictatorship. Built upon a capitalistic basis, Fascism exists ideally for all classes, as at present. Apparently, under an efficient Dictator, the system can work successfully. Under most Dictators the result would be questionable, as witness Spain. Although the chief Fascist country at present is Italy, where the system appears to be effective, nearly every other European country has its Fascist organisations.

With Communism the modern inspiration is Lenin. Having as an ideal the destruction of capitalism, Communism does not recognise the validity of the State as it exists to-day, but aims at building up a new system. "To all according to their needs, from all according to their powers" is its motto. An attempt at Communism is working reasonably well to-day in Russia.

Now, the fact of most vital importance regarding these two movements, Fascism and Communism, is that they cut right across international boundaries. Wherever he lives, and quite independent of his nationality, a Fascist is a Fascist and, even more strongly so, a Communist a Communist.

As things are heading, then, it seems possible that there may be in the near future, not an international war, but civil wars on the basis of Fascism against Communism. The student of to-day is living in what must be the most interesting epoch of history. Inevitably the coming six months will determine the course of the world's affairs, certainly for the next one hundred, possibly for the next one thousand, years.

Does it not behove him then to take a greater interest in world affairs? To extend his interests beyond examinations, the next club dance, or the peregrinations of the national football and cricket teams? For his own sake alone he should extend his vision, for surely he is living in historic times.

* * * * * *

This is the thirtieth Anniversary of "Spike." Three decades have seen much traffic upon the student road and we have endeavoured to revive in this issue some thought of the earlier years. The pages are perhaps fuller than usual, which is no greater credit to the present than a compliment to the past, which has given us much of permanent literary value.

The hilltops beckon, and we go on—to other valleys and further summits. "The desire of the moth for the star"? Perhaps. Let it be true of "Spike"—wayward, contrary, and femininely sharp, but we hope withal lovable creature:

"She desires no isles of the blest, no quiet seats of the just,

To rest in a golden grove, or bask in a summer sky:

Give her the wages of going on and not to die."

"Spike" Speaks

These thirty years I've seen the ceaseless flow Of you whom I'm supposed to represent, Who steal into Minerva's firmament And light your candles from her fire's glow;

You've been a world in miniature, you know,

—Nonsense and wisdom curiously blent, These thirty years

You turn my pages idly and then go

To your appointed tasks, your moment spent—

I chronicle your passing, quite content—

It has been good to view your passing show

These thirty years.

H. R. B.