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SMAD. An Organ of Student Opinion. 1933. Volume 4. Number 4.

Letters to the Editor

page 7

Letters to the Editor

Sketch of lamp sitting on book

Executive Letter.

Dear "Smad,"—

The following activities of my Executive may be of interest to your readers.

The details of the recent action in disaffiliating the Free Discussions Club will be well known to you. The matter was taken up by the Professorial Board, and because of his action in publishing a further issue of "Student," after having received notice of its prohibition by the Students' Association, a reprimand was administered to Mr. C. G. Watson before a full meeting of the Professorial Board.

It is fell by the Executive, however, that the Free Discussions Club should not be allowed to die out. The Executive has therefore taken the initiative in calling a meeting of students to elect a new committee and to adopt a Constitution which has been prepared by a sub-committee of the Executive.

A supplementary grant of £10 has been passed to enable the Tennis Club to erect a new volley board in the Gymnasium.

The Chairman of the Professorial Board has formally approved the amendments of the Students' Association Constitution, which were carried at the Annual General Meeting.

At its first meeting the new Executive appointed the following sub-committees:—

Finance Committee.—Mr. R. J. Nankervis, Miss J. M. Dunn, Messrs R. C. Bradshaw, D. M. Burns, and R. H. C. Wild.

Cafeteria Committee.—Miss J. Duncan and R. C. Bradshaw.

Miss J. M. Dunn was elected to the position of V.U.C. Corresponding Member of the N.Z. National Union of Students, the vacancy being caused by the resignation of Mr. R. E. Diederich.

The Executive is again offering prizes of three guineas each for the three revues chosen for the 1934 Capping Revue.

At its second meeting on the 14th inst., the following appointments were made:—

Assistant Treasurer.—L. O. Desborough.

Tournament Delegates.—Messrs R, E. Diederich and D. M. Burns.

I am, etc.,

D. M. Burns,

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

Songs Wanted.—Haeremai Club Appeal.

Dear "Smad,"—

Per medium of your paper kindly permit me, on behalf of the Haeremai Club, to make an appeal to the Students of this College. It has long been recognised that the Students of this College do not know the songs of their College, and in this respect this Club feels that if such a thing were allowed to continue it would not be long before the little bit of College spirit that still remains would disappear almost entirely. During Capping Week we issued temporary song sheets, and the singing of the College songs at various gatherings was thus greatly improved. We therefore have decided that we could take no better action than issue a College Song Book. It must, however, be pointed out that this book, while it will contain the songs of this Club, will, however, also contain the more serious songs of the College. It may be argued that these songs have seen their day, but on the other hand we would point out that so far no one has come forward with anything better, and we must therefore preserve what still remains. There must still be some students in the College who are quite capable of giving us something decent in the way of songs suitable for a University, and we implore them to get to work and give things a boost along.

We do not necessarily want original songs, since we would gladly welcome anything that is likely to be popular with the majority. Any parody, clever but clean, is a striking type of song, and we would be glad if any student has any suggested songs to forward them to the Club so that they might be considered when the book is being compiled. Should anyone know a good song, yet does not know the complete wording, we shall do our best to rummage round to have the words completed. In sending in such suggestions, it would greatly help the Committee if the tune to the particular song could be indicated. Just try your hand at some parody, and let us see the result. We like tryers, and there is no reason why this book should not be kept as a memento of College days by every student; but first of all we must get the songs.

page 8

Please send in any contribution early, so that we can get the publication under way, and even though it might not be out in time for the remaining functions of this year, we must consider the College of the future and start next year with a real revival of the spirit which has been so wonderful in the past.

I am, etc.,

A. F. Naylor,

Hon. Secretary, Haeremai Club.

Our New Cover.

Dear "Smad,"—

Three years ago "Smad" was first issued. The Executive called for cover designs, and offered a prize for the one accepted. After careful consideration of many designs, one was finally selected; and this, although slightly inaccurate in some minor details met with the approval of the students for over two years, and of the four successive editors, being used from the third until the issue before the last, the seventeenth.

In this last issue the cover paper was changed from our traditional green to white, due, no doubt, to the latter being a slightly better colour for advertisements.

In addition, without having the opportunity of submitting alternative cover designs, and without receiving any explanation why the old one was discarded excepting the general statement in the editorial that "it was felt by members of the Editorial Staff that some change was needed in the lay-out of the paper," we had foisted on us a design which is not comparable in dignity with the old design, and which offends the susceptibilities of more than half the subscribers to "Smad"

Could you tell me, Sir, the significance of the new design, the real reason for rejecting the old design and incurring the expense of a new one, and whether you are prepared to revert to the old design, thereby conforming to the wishes of the majority of students ?

I am. etc.,

C. S. Plank.

Thoughts on the Plunket Medal.

Dear "Smad,"—

Competitors for the Plunket Medal and their auditors appreciate the items of those students who endeavour to ease the nervous tension of waiting for the judges' verdict. It is another matter for a performer to follow a long-winded item with an encore rendered unnecessary by the return of the judges. It is to be hoped that those responsible will see that the unfortunate blemish on this year's contest is not repeated. In all diffidence I suggest that as the Plunket Medal Contest dates back to 1905 it might be advisable to secure the services of at least one Plunket Medal winner for judging, such person to have won the Medal at least five years prior to the contest which he is invited to be one of the judges. This would have the twofold advantage of preserving a continuity of tradition in regard to the form of the contest itself and of allowing present students to benefit by the experience of previous winners. This suggestion is in no way intended as a reflection on the capabilities of the judges in this year's contest or those of any other year—the Debating Society has been particularly fortunate in this respect. A glance at the list of Plunket Medal winners will show that there are plenty of good men readily available, and if necessary the number could easily be augmented by such men as H. E. Evans, W. J. McEldowney, G. G. G. Watson, and Dr. R. M. Campbell, who were previous Union Prize Winners

I am, etc.,

R. J. Larkin.

Joynt Scroll Selections.

Dear 'Smad,"—

In order that no garbled accounts may find credence in regard to my non-selection of this year's Joynt Scroll team, and my resignation from the Debating Society's committee in consequence, I enclose a copy of a considered statement made by me at the meeting of the committee when the adoption of a new method regarding selection was decided upon. I may state that I withdrew from the meeting before the question was put, as it was ultra vires, and a personal affront to myself.

I am, etc.,

Catherine S. Forde.

(The following is an extract from the statement enclosed by Miss Forde.)

Mr. Chairman,—

I desire to make a statement in order that my position may be quite clear, and after I have done that, the committee in its vision will have to decide whether it intends to do the right thing or the wrong thing.

I want to insist that I have never endeavoured to obtain, nor have I obtained, any recognition or honours from the Society to which I have not been entitled. I have not schemed or intrigued at any time or in any way. What recognition I have received from the Society has been owing to hard work, perseverance, and a. determination to succeed, notwithstanding the many setbacks and disappointments that I have experienced.

On succeeding in obtaining the highest number of points in last year's series of debates. I never tor one moment suspected that an attempt would be made to depart from the rule that has been in vogue for so long that it has become traditional—namely, page 9 that the points gained during the preceding twelve months should he the deciding factor in the personnel of the Joynt Scroll Team. I knew that I had won, and that in doing so, automatically, I had selected myself.

At the meeting before last, when the question of the Joynt Scroll candidature was introduced, there was not one member of the committee who dissented from the fact that I had won my selection, and the only question to be decided was who was to accompany me, the choice resting between Miss Henderson and Mr. Chorlton. Not one word to the contrary was uttered not the slightest inclination or suggestion that there should be any departure from the rule that has worked so well, and so devoid of friction and dissatisfaction, in the past. Therefore, is it not pertinent for me to speculate as to this complete change of front, and to assume that since that meeting influence, or influences, have been at work, with the result that we are now discussing an unjust and unmerited proposal, embodying the complete overthrowal and discarding of a system of selection that has been hitherto recognised as just and equitable?

Reference has been made to the fact that I have twice previously represented Victoria College in Joynt Scroll debates; but I must insist that the first time I acted was only after several members of the Society, who had been chosen before me, and had refused to join our team owing to their dislike to the subject which our side had to affirm, that I was selected. I, too, disliked the subject on that occasion; but I succumbed to the pressure that was brought to bear, and, literally, came to the rescue of the Society.

The proposal to discard the recognised best debater of the year is drastic and far-reaching, and I ask members of the committee to pause before they finally favour it being brought into effect. It sets a precedent that cannot fail to be harmful in the future, as it is an incentive to intrigue and eliquism that may have disastrous results to the Society and to our College. It provides a great opportunity for the schemer and the intriguer to accomplish his nefarious purposes, and it gives no recognition to hard work and merit.

Debating Club Replies.

Dear "Smad,"—

The letter from Miss C. S. Forde in this issue has been shewn to me, and is substantially the statement made by Miss Forde to the meeting of the Committee. The Committee, having heard this statement, nevertheless decided that Miss Z. R. M. Henderson and Mr. A. F. T. Chorlton should represent Victoria University College Debating Society this year in the Joynt Scroll contest.

The Committee considered their action equitable if only on this' one ground. Miss Forde, over a period of years, has twice previously represented the College in the Joynt Scroll contest, once in a winning team. It has hitherto been a guiding rule that any member of the Society who has been in a team which has won the Joynt Scroll is ineligible to speak again. The object of such a rule is patent and its fairness to the Society as a whole unquestionable, and the Committee in its action respected the reasons which prompted the rule. Furthermore, Miss Forde has represented the College in the Bledisloe Medal; she has represented the College against Training College; she has won the Plunket Medal and the Union Prize. This everyone will admit is a worthy record which truly evidences Miss Forde's debating prowess.

There are others in the Society, of not inconsiderable ability, who have not yet had opportunity of securing even the first steps of such a record. The Committee decided that two of these younger members should be given a chance, and they were helped in their decision by the knowledge that their action could not possibly detract from Miss Forde's lengthy list of excellent preformances.

I am, etc.,

G. Crossley, Chairman.

Support for Charlie.

Dear "Smad,"—

Recently I was inveigled into buying a "New" "Smad." The fact that a change had been indicated prompted the purchase. But let me quote from the first page.

"We present you an altered 'Smad' It was felt by members of the Editorial Staff that some change was needed in the lay-out of the paper, and to this end we have altered the style of our cover."

And the altered cover (and how fantastic that was) is the only justification for the designation "New" "Smad"!

On page eight you printed "Charlie Tells us how." This I considered to be the brightest spot in the "New" "Smad." Imagine my dismay to read below the refusal of every recommendation he made. Of course, making the magazine a fortnightly is your own business, and if financial reasons forbid—that's that; but I agree with every other detail of Mr. Plank's assertions, and if you continue pig-headedly to ignore the possibilities of making "Smad" brighter, the future circulation may drop to seven—the Editorial Staff.

"Student" had the right idea—and it sold. It was a little hysterical in advertising its daring, and that hysteria was its downfall. Rut it was certainly popular, and I second Mr. Plank's appeal for a page or so in "Smad" to be devoted to discussion.

I am, etc.,

Bas.