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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1932. Volume 3. Number 1

Executive Letter

page 11

Executive Letter.

(To the Editor "Smad.")

Dear Sir,—

My Executive desires me to report to the students through your columns the following matters which can from their nature be explained in short form:—
(1)Due to the resignations of Miss Margaret. Gibbs, Mr. H. J. Bishop, and Mr. F. Cormack, a number of changes have taken place on the Executive. Mr. C. S. Plank has been appointed to the Vice-Presidency and Miss Eileen Plank and Messrs. S. H. Perry and D. Steele appointed to the Committee of the Executive.
(2)Mr. R. Bannister has been appointed Editor of "Spike" for 1932.
(3)The Permanent Building Committee of the Association has commenced its work. The final personnel of this important Committee is Professor Gould, representing the Professorial Board; Mr. S. Eichelbaum (College Council); Messrs. W. Perry, G. Dixon, G. G. Watson, J. M, A. Ilott, and J. L. MacDuff (Past Students); Messrs. W. P. Rollings. M. Parkinson, E. C. Fussell, S. H. Perry, and R. J. Reardon (Present Students).
(4)The College Cafeteria is now controlled directly by the Association. Mrs. M. Gibson has been appointed Manageress. The Executive members in control are Miss Helen Dunn and Mr. S. H. Perry.
(5)It has been decided that Clubs will be furnished with a list of financial members of the Association. Clubs will be expected to see that any active member of the Club whose fee is unpaid takes steps to remedy the defect. If a Club continues to make use of an unfinancial member, then the amount of his or her fee will be deducted from the Club's grant from the Association.
(6)A new College Blazer has been designed, and may be obtained on production of an order signed by the Secretary from Messrs. Hallenstein Bros.
(7)Owing to the financial situation it. has been decided that no appeals for money shall be permitted within the University without the permission of the Executive.
(8)Representations are at present being made to the proper authorities regarding Library hours and facilities.
(9)All moneys held in trust by the Association for the new building fund have been transferred to trustees appointed by tht Permanent Building Committee.
(10)It has been decided to donate a Wooden Spoon for the Easter Tournament, and a very handsome design has been selected.
(11)A gratifying number of revues has already been received for production at Capping. These will be considered and a choice made and announced at an early date. Rehearsals will commence immediately after Easter.
(12)A steel tiling cabinet has been purchased, and the records of the Association over a long period of years collected, indexed, and filed.
(13)The Executive has agreed to Auckland's request that the rota of Tournament be changed to enable Tournament to be held in Auckland next year—the jubilee year of Auckland University College.
(14)A grant of £20 has been made to the Athletic Club.
(15)The Professorial Board has been written to suggesting that some function should be held on Foundation Day.

The Executive meetings are open to all students, and everyone is entitled to come along with either criticism or suggestion. Remember that neither a good idea nor a legitimate grievance can be vented by discussion in private. The Executive is there to hear what the students want.

In the matter of suggestions, any ideas in connection with Capping Week and the proposed Foundation Day would be very much appreciated.

Yours, etc.,

R. J. Reardon,

Hon. Secretary, V.U.C.S.A.

An Apology for the Modern Woman.

Dear "Smad."—

I never hear the ill-favoured rantings of those who decry the modern woman without a tightening of the oesophagus and a touch of nausea.

"She smokes!" they say, in derision. Well, what if she does? Her Elizabethan protoplasm smoked with gusto, and a gnarled old briar pipe at that, at which her fastidious modern posterity would turn up the nose of disgust.

I have seen nothing in the sacred or profane writings—though diligent have been my searchings— to convince me that My Lady Nicotine should be reserved for the exclusive delectation and delight of men only. If Nicotine is to be "verboten," why not tannin also? This is merely a rhetorical question by way of reduction ad absurdurn, and need not be answered.

"She drinks!" they exclaim, with an attempt at fine scorn. What then? "Take a little wine for thy stomach's sake" was not spoken of the soul, and though even in this day of grace it is still proclaimed in some quarters that Woman has no soul, yet thus far no one has been so rash as to extend this hasty generalisation to the—well, it's a delicate subject. Moreover, if "In vino Veritas" goes for women as well as men, then all I can say is 'Vive la vino!"

We men should take a broad view, and accept it as a graceful gesture to our excellence that our fair disciples are so disposed to ape us—no, I don't quite like that expression—anyhow, they must be on the right track.

Nevertheless, if I have a criticism to offer, it is that the modern woman, in snorting like a war horse at the so-called "double code" of morality, is tilting at a windmill, since no double code exists; the most we can claim between us is about half a code each, of which the woman, as usual, has the better half.

So there seems no ethical foundation for the objections to sharing these snug vices, whatever may be said against the vices per se; though, of course, our friends the ubiquitous Economists may point to the practical objection that the increased demand for the output of Bacchus Ltd. and Tobacchus Ltd. may increase the market price of the joys these firms purvey. Still (used adverbially), let us not beselfish.

Yours, etc.

,

Magnanimous.

Women's Whirl.

Why don't our pictures include Christopher Pelkins' conception of Professor Robertson's soul?

* * * *

Have you asked Joan what she thinks of sleeping in a ditch— Well, don't!

* * * *

Couldn't we have an entertainment more in harmony with the pictures than the ever-sounding Aileen?

* * * *

"I thought this was the Women's Common Room." "It is." 'Well, what about Reg and the Eccles child?"