Move On and Move Out?

As Secretary of the A.S.S. (Association of Superannuated Students), I commend your editorial defending the interests of "the men who have passed away" whom, traditionally, V.U.C. should praise, not pass resolutions against. It is all very well for students attending lectures to want to manage their own affairs, but they should understand that they have not the necessary experience. The members of my Association have that experience and wish for nothing better than to employ it in the interests of their dear old Alma Mater.

A little thought should show that we old 'uns have the first right to office. While we attended lectures we did not waste our time; we applied ourselves exclusively to study, eschewing College politics, debates, discussions, and other anti-scholastic interests. Now that we have proved ourselves, it is only fair that the younger people should give us our due by sumbitting themselves to our guidance. Apparently they have not the sense to do so, but prefer to entertain ridiculous notions of their own self-sufficiency.

A painful feature of the recent: decision of a notoriously irreesponsible type of meeting is that it gave no thought to the effect that decision must have upon our personal careers. Servide on College Clubs is a recognized means of bringiing oneself under notice of one's employers, whether in Education. Accountancy, the Public Service, or other walk of life. More so is it necessary to the securing of a Rhodes Scholarship or similar award. Soon it will be sought as an avenue to a seat upon the College Council. To deny us the opportunity of acquiring a "record" which will assure us personal preferment in our chosen vocations, especially when the opportunity is so easily within our grasp, is to selfishly ignore the sacredness of our ambitions.

My Association is convinced that, if the resolution is not quashed, the College Club system is doomed. Is it too much to hope that the students who were so misguided as to to vote for it will now admit with shame that their denial of our superiority was not only presumptuous but disloyal to the true interests of Victoria?

Those Old Men

The leading article in your last issue criticising the resolution at the Annual General Meeting restricting the election of ex-students to the Committees of Clubs and Societies, is apt to leave a very wrong impression upon the minds of your readers. It was fortunate that an article by J.N.S. clarified the position to a large extent, but I wish to point out some of the inaccuracies in your leader.

In the first place, it is important to remember that past students do not become ineligible until one year after they have completed their course, which means that in most cases they may spend two post-graduate years on Committees.

Secondly those who supported the motion did not suggest that underserving persons were holding positions of authority, but what they contended was that too many of these no doubt deserving seniors (not "old men with one foot in the grave") kept younger men from enjoying an invaluable experience. It is difficult to comment on the remainder of your somewhat obtuse leader. but I doubt whether University Clubs require this matured experience of the "old soldier." What is needed, is co-operation and enthusiasm, and that can best be achieved when all work together, instead of having one or two leading the others by the noses.

Your correspondent, K.M.J., who has changed her mind and thinks a mistake has been perpetrated, also misses the point that positions on Committees should be open as a training ground for the younger men. No doubt there are hard cases, but we must also remember that by keeping efficient ex-students of our Committees we are witholding from the community worthy citizens who, if free, could do much in the wider spheres of the City and suburbia! The resolution as passed thus results in a benefit to both the student body and the community. A few years ago a special general meeting passed a resolution raising the Students' Association fee for past students, the intention being to prevent too many of the latter from retaining their membership on Clubs at the expense of the present students. The resolution passed this year is the logical continuation of that policy which, as the University grows, aims at making Victoria strictly and exclusively a student instituion. Such a policy can only be described as desirable and progressive.

Your, etc.,

How We Like Our Letters

I am instructed by my committee to write you and express the committee's appreciation of the work of the Plunket Medal sub-committee consisting of Messrs. R. E. Jack, R. Edgley and J. N. Sellers.

This I do.