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Considering the number of men who've passed through V.U.C. in recent years, it's not surprising that you run into them everywhere in the Army. They studded the ranks of my reinforcement at Trentham and on the transports, and I've met many more, and heard about others, since our arrival.
Two ex-Presidents of the Students' Association in Lieutenants
I see
A well-known Weir House trio in
Doug. Burns, like Jack Aimers, was a President of the New Zealand Students' Association. Now he is Capt.
Mention of Harry Sansum reminds me that
I saw
Officer Cadets
Two well-known cricketers in our unit are
Weir House fellows in the noble ranks of the privates include
I suppose you know that Lieut.
I'm working in our unit's orderly room at present, my immediate boss being
Five more. Frank
That's all the men I can call to mind. Some months ago a V.U.C. re-union as held, between thirty and forty attending. With so many prominent personalities here, including at least three former Secretaries of the Students' Association, and sundry Presidents and Vice-Presidents (
At that moment the air was filled with frantic booming as the Exec. Room. Clock struck six times. It wanted shorter working hours.
"Quarter to! Time for a Capstan!" falsettoed No-Precedent McBleary (medallist), as he leapt up from the tripewriter, where he had been playing Hunt-and-Peck. All the male members with one accord hurled themselves out of doors and windows and catapulted down the street.
Alone, in the Exec. Room! The shades of night were falling fast—they actually had fallen, thanks to the disintegrating effect of Woofie's woof. What should she do? An idea came to her—one of the few she had ever had. She would turn on the light!
She explored the room. Her darling Sex's locker! But what was this? No, no, it could not be! It was! A book on the Art of Seduction!
So that was the meaning of his quiet etc. efficiency! He was experimenting (these scientists) with a new technique, and when perfect would use it on another! He had said he, wanted her to be a sister to him—all he wanted had been a guinea pig! And she, of course, could not bear guinea-pigs. She would show him!. She would fall for the first person she met!
The door opened. Framed in the aperture appeared a young man, a young Nordic god, fair of hair and hawk-like of feature. Viki fell, heavily.
"Ouch!" said the N.G., nursing his toe. He gazed in amazement at the prostrate figure at his feet'. His temples throbbed. His heart pounded in his breast and his sore toe hurt. He stooped to lift her. His senses
The door slammed. He had gone, but Viki knew he had taken her heart with him. But it wasn't so very valuable and she would probably be able to get it back some time. She would consult her friend Margaret Georgetaker again. She would probably find her in Salient room writing for Spike, for Margaret, like every other student, had the Welfare of the College at Heart.
A red glow came from beneath the door of Salient Room. The staff must be getting out the next Salient.
Viki saw everyone through Rose coloured spectacles. There was James Thinchested, Victoria's leading light through the encircling gloom (guess what colour) deep in what Viki considered a class-conscious Ethel M. Dell. And Bluebird
What is behind this question? Was Viki's face red! Or if not, why not? What is the importance of being earnest? What happened to Partley at Extrav. Re-union? When will Father Divine find the lost plans for his new temple? And where's the money coming from? All will be revealed in our next issue—July 30th.
Friday July 4th, was American Independence Day (for the uninitiated, independence from England, not from Wall Street). It was also the day on which the Debating Society met to decide on whether. "New Zealand Should Hitch Its Wagon to the Star Spangled Banner."
Frankly it must have been one of the poorest debates the Gym has seen, or should we say, heard. Dennis Hartley opened by saying that he had always wanted to be an American citizen; the U.S.A. was the centre of culture, and had a future, whereas Europe was decadent. His speech was not bad, but was spoilt by some blabber about racial affinity, that sounded as though it came straight from Dr. Rosenberg. Lindsay Nathan led the opposition with a disjointed tirade against the American people. The only rational part of his collection of words was the point that New Zealand was on the brink of building a national culture, which would soon be assimilated if we became a 49th state. Bert Foley backed up Dennis with a good speech on a difficult subject. He took the defence view, and advocated a Pacific bloc against Japan. This brought Dave Castle to his feet with the warning that such an insult towards a friendly power was contrary to the Emergency Regulations, and made Bert liable to twelve months. Stuart Devine seconded Lindsay with a speech showing the lustful degradation of the American people by jitter bugging, drugs, necking, petting and their hypocritical attitude towards contraception.
When the motion was thrown open to the house we had one of his best speeches from Jim Winchester, who showed us that there were two Americas—the have and the have-not. We were treated to an excellent satiric description of flag-saluting by Gurth Higgin; a plea for Federal Union by Johnny Cope; a prayer for Socialism led by Pat Hildreth and echoed by the wish for union with the U.S.S.R. by Jacko. Hal Grieg gave possibly the only really sincere speech of the evening and Dave Castle showed us that three months could not alter his dialectical spirit.
Neither Dennis nor Lindsay had anything to say in their summing up, which was probably fortunate. Mr. Evan Parry placed the speakers as follows: Foley Higgin; Hartley; Greig and Cope.
Let us not mince words. If we can't do better than at this debate, we really have no right to ask outside people to give up an evening to judge us. Let this debate act as an interesting controversial, subject, lesson. Successful debating demands properly prepared speeches from the set speakers at least, and co-operation from the audience; there is no short cut of "muddling-through."
Friday Next, in the Gym.—Visitors' Debate: "That this House has confidence in the Government." Moved by the Hon. R. Semple. Opposed by Mr. F. W. Doidge, M.P.
Supper.
Admission 6d.
26th & 27th July.—Biological Society. Week-end trip to Tauherenikau Valley.
Next Term—" Spike."
•
Bob Edgley, Past President of V.U.C.S.A., and a life member of the Students' Association, writes from Malaya:—
Owing to the war, many people from Malaya who would otherwise go on leave to England, now go down to Australia and New Zealand. I get quite unflattering reports of New Zealand from people who go there. When I arrived there I felt that I could recommend anybody to go to New Zealand who wanted a good holiday—with not too much wild night life of course. However, I have had so many raspberries that I now keep my mouth shut. Actually many of the complaints are based on the fact that you cannot get meals after certain hours at hotels, etc., and on a general of service and attention. People living in this country get thoroughly spoilt by attention of course. I have a little Malay servant named Mohamed Zuliara, who waits on me hand and foot, and whose services are quite willingly given at any hour of the day or night. A Government man is quite pukka in this country, and you can't do a thing for yourself. A Malay feels that he is somebody if he has a job with a Government man.
The Malays are a good lot. Small, very neat in their movements, and most friendly and polite, though in no way servile. Their sense of honour is very akin to our own, and things that amuse us amuse them too. They are in no way an oppressed race, and I really think our coming here has benefited them greatly. British colonial policy as portrayed here is very good—I am not flag-flapping or being diehard, but quite frankly there is not any of the oppression which any of our young socialists would loudly declaim. The Malays get a better deal from us, I should say, than they did under their own chiefs—while the way the Chinese come here in hordes clearly indicates that they are happy under British rule. Actually if anything the Malays are too well treated—they are permitted to lean on us, and if we ever got out, the Chinese would overrun them. I suppose you may consider me as
No facile mathematical formula can be used to calculate what is the standard of living. One man's Standard is another man's poison. Yet there are certain measurables that enable generalisation. Standards of Living, Wages, and Prices" (procurable at Modern Books, Woodward St., for 1/6) endeavours to cover those classifiable elements in the standard of living.
The material elements—goods, services, food, clothing, house accommodation, medical attention, and so on—the relative prices of these provide a measure of their relative value in exchange. The so-called Index Numbers of the cost of living show changes in the purchasing power of money to the wage-earner over the goods and services he buys. The place of leisure is also not unimportant and again a standard of living is conditioned by the range of wants that we can satisfy during such free time. The intangibles cannot be measured except to say that their presence or absence contributes to the enjoyment of life. In this category the restriction of free speech since
Such factors as the movements and the total real national income and the value of exports, the effect of the Reserve Bank credits, guaranteed prices and subsidies, on costs and prices are also discussed at some length. Add to this discussion of the Government's finance policy since.
No mention is made however of the effect of speculation on prices that is especially present during wartime and which in a capitalistic economy, even with price control, is as unrestricted as ever.
In a concluding chapter the writer discusses the economics of fascism and socialism and expresses his preference for the latter, with various qualifications. The object of the pamphlet is, as described in the foreword, to analyse the problems connected with the standards of living as they exist in a capitalist democracy, from the point of view of the successful administration of the latter.
"British economic and military missions are now in Moscow.—" Evening Post."
The Victoria University College Dramatic Club presents One Act Plays, Thursday,
The plays began late, of course. But on the whole we do not regret that our patience outlasted the long delay. We found much to comment on in the three plays, and what critic is averse to criticising?
In "The Road of Poplars" so much depended on atmosphere, and the atmosphere depended much on Nat Beaties as the hallucinated ex-soldier. He was very good. This play owed much of its effectiveness to its relevance to the present situation—the maladjustments of war-haunted soldiers returned to civilian life will create a large problem—but credit goes to Irene English for an excellent first production. Despite clumsy lighting atmosphere was achieved. Bruce Mason, although in himself delightful, would, we felt, have made a better Frenchman had he been more violent. Pat. Hildreth was well-suited in her part, B. Unwin and Harry Scott adequate in theirs.
No more violent contrast to "The Road of Poplars" could have been conceived than Dennis Hartley's mellow drama, "Virtue Shines Brighter Than Gold." Its romping burlesque appealed to the audience which cooperated to produce an impression of an olde tyme musicke hall which would have delighted ye B.B.C. Successfully modelling his style on Rayner Kellaway's, Dennis Hartley in the inevitable Nemesis cloak made a satisfying villain. His spit-hissing was delightful. The character of the father, played by Dave Cohen, seemed a little inconsistent, but in the Old Time Theayter . . . Cecil Crompton and Gordon Stuckey were excellent.
Their facial control served to show up in a very bad light certain parts of the last play. It was depressing to see, for instance, so able an actor as John McCreary giggling and making side comments to another member of the cast. With more rehearsals, this production has possibilities. As it was, the cast, shepherded by Kate Ross, scarcely did justice to the play. Bea. Hutcheson and Dennis Hartley were good. With more rehearsals and less levity these two with John McCreary should give a good account of themselves in the inter-varsity contest at Christchurch.
A final word: Extrav, is now dead, but its ghost stalks horridly abroad in the shape of an Alfred Littlebe-cum-Hess-cum-Odious accent which distresses us.
Can the intelligent New Zealander give an informed opinion on social aspects of housing in this country, the working of our hospital system, the distribution of wealth and income, the trade union movement, the groups behind our political parties, the standard of life of any section of the people, the working conditions of a freezing worker or miner, the function of our secondary schools and the university, the position of women in New Zealand?
The New Zealand Co-operative Publishing Society intends to fill this gap by publishing pamphlets and books by New Zealand authors on subjects that concern New Zealanders. In doing so it will make a definite contribution to an independent New Zealand culture.. The range is wide—politics, history, social life, education, health, public and civil affairs, contemporary happenings as well as essays, poetry, the short story and the novel.
To do this the Publishing Society will draw on the most knowledgeable people in each field, the main criteria being the relevance of the material to New Zealand and the clearness of its exposition. The Society aims to produce progressive books and pamphlets as cheaply as possible in order that the wage-earner may buy them. The aim is to help build an enlightened public opinion on questions New Zealanders have to deal with.
An enthusiastic public meeting, called by Modern Books, Wellington, has elected a Provisional Committee to organise the Society into working order. It will be registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Act,
Trading surpluses will be dealt with as the Annual General Meeting determines—dividends, reductions in cost of publications to members or building up the capital fund.
The Provisional Committee is—Messrs. F. L. Combs (Chairman), R. F. Griffin, I. K. Mackay, B. E. Souter, Professor I. A. Gordon, Dr. W. B. Sutch, Mrs. J. Souter (Hon. Secretary).
Capital is needed. Already the Provisional Committee has secured promises amounting to over £100, but several times this sum is needed to start issuing publications in any volume. As soon as sufficient capital is raised, production will start, and by utilising the progressive forces and cultural societies of New Zealand the Society should quickly become successful.
You are asked to become a shareholder and to pay with your application 5/- per share, or the whole amount if this is convenient.
(Note.—It is the hope of the Society to publish also text-books—students will need no telling of the advantages of this scheme!)
Support the N.Z. Co-operative Publishing Society.
•
On Tuesday, 8th, an audience of some thirty or forty students heard a talk by Mr. Salmon, M.Sc., on the subject of "Insects and their effects on Man" and a most entertaining film on "Bees," and a series of well-prepared lantern slides combined to make a very enjoyable evening.
Congratulations to President J. R. McCreary on winning the Bledisloe Medal for V.U.C.
Congratulations to the 1st XV. on a splendid effort against Army. With four All Blacks and the redoubtable Finlay in the opposing scrum our youngsters gave these football veterans a hard battle. Meads had a great day, completely dominating the line-outs, while Rowell, playing only his second game as hooker, gained possession about 1—3 against All Black Dalton—a very stout effort indeed. One of the best men on the ground was Ginger Murphy, his play being as fiery as his flaming locks. The pack was good, and its most satisfactory feature is its intelligence. Every forward in the side uses his head, and youth, speed and vigour does the rest.
The backs, for the first time in years, tackled resolutely from half to wing. Too long have we cultivated the "flashy" type of five-eighths whose occasional brilliant bursts are supposed to compensate for lamentably weak defence. "Miss your man, miss your place" must always be the criterion in selecting a senior back line. Swinburne's promotion from the Colts was justly earned, and with Skelly back for next week, the team will be hard to hold. Full-back Greig went exceptionally well, and a little luck with his kicking would have given the side the win it deserved.
The Seconds are steadily improving, and followed up their win over Oriental by beating Johnsonville convincingly, 14—4. Stacey marked his return to the Club with a fine game. He worked his forwards well, and the whole pack played up to his leadership. K. Smith, Taylor, and the much-improved Grayburn were on the ball all day and gave their backs plenty of opportunities. A. Mason was good at half, although he ran far too much, but his blindside move, when he sent Coutts over, was a gem. Coutts is the most improved player in the Club. He has tightened up his defence, and uses his head well now. Two of his centre kicks were excellent efforts, and deserved tries. With his pace, determination, and clever sidestep, he should play himself into the Seniors next year.
The Colts went down to Silver-stream 14—8, after an excellent game. With Bridson, Olds and Petersen leading the pack, and Dix as specialist hooker, the backs have had a good share of the ball. Annand and Quilliam are going well, and the team is second in its, grade.
By trouncing Johnsonville 26—11, the Third B's moved up to third place in their grade. The backs had a day out, Solomon and Henderson using their speed to advantage, but both men tend to hang on a wee bit too long. Watch this. Wilford, as usual, was very solid. Macalister is the best of the forwards, going hard in both tight and open play. He has had good support from Cross and Donnelly. All three are on the small side, but make up for their lack of weight by their grit and determination.
Henderson's boot is a decided asset. He kicked six goals from six attempts on Saturday. Nice work, Vance.
Ski fever—there is an epidemic of it at Victoria, if we are to judge by the enthusiasm with which the Varsity ski-runners and would-be ski-runners took advantage of the deep snow and fine weather at Mt. Holdsworth last week-end, and if we are to judge by the disappointment of the people who could not get a seat on the lorry or something else on wheels to take them.
Some people went to extraordinary lengths to go ski-ing—Honey-lamb Kate resorted to a division of labour. She divided the labour of carrying her gear among half a dozen men; one man specialised in dry socks and another in cigarettes; and she got someone else to do the ski-ing.
Irene, with one useless leg, and Jacko cycled the sixty miles from Wellington. They were responsible for the dramatic unreality of the journey home. They hailed the lorry from the darkness on the Rimutaka Hill, and hung on behind for a tow. Passing cars forced Jacko to leave go, and with inhuman efforts he pursued the lorry—it was like an awful dream. At the top of the road we put Irene on the lorry, and Alec rode her bicycle home.
We enjoyed an hour's ski-ing on Saturday, although there was a wet mist and the snow was very soft. The girls exercised a Partley restraining influence in the hut, but Bonk told us the stagehand's story: "There is many a true British heat, sir, beats under the elephants.——"
Early Sunday morning the snow was frozen too hard for ski-ing, but the crust made the climb to the top of Holdsworth easy. Later on in the morning we were able to ski in the Northern Basin, and soon the nursery slopes were crowded, and the camera fans were busy photographing our local actors performing on different boards.
There was little extraordinary about the run from Island Bay, though the number of plates of cake left on Mr. J. O. Shorland's table indicated that to-day's runners hardly live up to the old-time standards. The following Saturday found us mistily investigating the muddy bogs in the Makara Valley, and we have it on good authority that three times over the Makara ridge is enough for anyone—always of course excluding Frank O'Flynn. Last Saturday we ran from Miramar; and though a number of Brooklyn runners joined the fast pack, only Colin Dickie managed to keep the pace set by the six 'Varsity leaders.
Form for next week's Club Championship is very hard to pick. Frank O'Flynn and Dick Daniell will be right out to win, but Ally Sinclair and Ralph Fenton are both running magnificently. Ted Dorman and Pat Anderson are both good over country, while on a dry day Gif. Rowberry will be up with the leaders. Also competing for one of the six places in the team to contest the Dixon Trophy in August will be Ian Morton, Ian Henderson and Peter de la Mare. There is no doubt that the race will be one of the most interesting in the history of the V.U.C. Harrier Club.
On Saturday, 5th July, the Seniors fought their most Variant struggle of the season, against competition leaders, Huia (at Nae Nae). Both teams turned on amazingly good hockey despite a greasy ground and, both were unlucky not to score in the first half. Early in the second, half Varsity were weakened by the loss of Till (c. half), who received a cut over the eye. However play continued to range from goal to goal, and Huia managed to score a few minutes before time. On the whistle they won a penalty bully. This was certainly their biggest fright of the season.
Senior B notched a neat win against Huia II. K. Braithwaite, Orman and Ives made up Varsity's three goals. Score 3—2.
The Juniors broke a match winning series (level with Karori and Technical at the top of the competition), going down to Karori 2—3. We suspect that Parris's men were upset by the mud. Marwick and Horner were the scorers.
The Thirds were narrowly defeated by Wellington College Old Boys (0—1). Seeing W.C.O.B. have hardly been defeated, 'Varsity did well.
A fifth team (Junior) played Island Bay (friendly game), and were beaten 0—4. Altogether a bad day.
Last Saturday the Seniors, depleted by the loss of Stan Braithwaite (left for the Navy) and the absence of Shaw (injured), Till (injured) and Scott, went down 4/2 against Wellington. The play was far more even than the score would indicate.
Senior "B" lost to Karori, 4—3, land the Juniors to Karori, 4—1. (Wake up, Juniors).
The Junior Grade has been split into two divisions. We are in the First.
In the Thirds, the University I. team beat Karori 4—0 (a jolly fine effort).
No result of our new team, Thirds II.'s, effort is to hand.
We have said that the Basketball Club showed promise of providing two first-class teams this season. Quite true; but as yet that promise remains unfulfilled. It seems at present as though both teams are suffering an eclipse. We might even call it a complete blackout. And although we appreciate the necessity of adhering rigidly to E.P.S. regulations, we feel that a somewhat blighter outlook on the Club's horizon would not seriously prejudice the national war effort.
Apart from one draw, 11—11, the "A" team has been defeated in recent games. Certainly it has been in competition with the best Wellington teams, and play has been very keen. Separately, the centre, goal and defence thirds are efficient, but as a whole the team has not yet recaptured Tournament form. Through lack of training it has lost the early precision and co-ordination which made it so formidable at Easter, but a more regular attendance on practice nights would probably work wonders and put the team back where it belongs, among the best of its grade.
The "B" team has won a game! Breaking away quite suddenly from its past record it daringly defeated Dental Clinic, 14—12. Thus encouraged, it sallied forth to battle with Taupo, determined to do or be done in and was—defeated, 17—9.
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