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The Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Kirk, was not stating the truth when he told the Labour Party Conference that Labour candidates had agreed to Party policy, according to Mr.
The University Council has agreed in principle to the Students' Association proposal to set up a joint committee to consider the part to be played by students in the government of the University.
Mr Blizard, a teaching fellow in psychology at Victoria University, was the Labour Party candidate for Karori in the last elections.
He said he was attacked twice by Mr Kirk at the recent conference for criticising Party policy.
In a statement to Salient, Mr Blizard said Mr Kirk had claimed that all Labour Party candidates met and agreed to party policy.
This was not true.
The meeting of candidates was held about a month before the election campaign and was the only time that the candidates met together as a group.
As Mr Kirk must be aware, Labour Party policy was announced by himself as Leader of the Opposition at the official opening of the campaign.
"He will also remember, if he cares to, that a number of candidates at the official candidates' meeting asked questions about the details of education and health policy," Mr Blizard said.
"Most of these questions were side-stepped on the grounds that 'policy could not be revealed' or had 'not been finalised'.
"This being so, I fail to see how he can accuse me of 'agreeing to policy' and then opting out of the agreement.
"In point of fact the 1966 policy was a fait accompli, delivered to candidates as is, where is. with very little opportunity to ask questions.
"Since then I have questioned the policy more rigorously."
Mr Blizard said that at the Party Conference he had made clear his opinions on psychiatric services.
On April 21, 1967, he had said that at no point had the Party mentioned how its policies were to be carried out.
"I repeat that claim now and further add that it was a travesty of a policy."
• Continued on p.6.
The new Vice-Chancellor said it was most important that the University presented a united front.
"There must be no artificial cleavage between staff and students," said Dr.
Any differences should be based solely on academic standing.
The University should project an image of community.
Obviously the machinery of government necessary to allow this would be different in a university of 5,000 or 7,000 than it is in a university of 1.000 or 2,000.
In these circumstances it was quite reasonable for students to request an investigation into University government.
Increased representation for students on the administrative committees of the University seemed a possible solution, he said.
The Council has made some substantial changes to the original proposal; which was expressed in a resolution of the Students' Association Annual General Meeting.
In addition to the four representatives of the Student's Association and the four representatives of the University Council, there will be four members appointed by the Professorial Board.
The resolution taken at the Students' Association Annual Meeting was:
"That this Association, believeing that the question of the part to be played by students in the government of this University needs to be reconsidered, suggests that a Joint Committee be set up consisting of eight members, four to be nominated by the University Council and four student members to be the President, Men's and Women's Vice Presidents of the Association, and the Secretary of the Association. And That if the Council at its April meeting agrees to this suggestion, the Joint Committee on University Government shall:
1. meet within two weeks of that Council Meeting.
2. call for submissions on all matters relating to University Government from any interested person
3. consider in particular all matters raised in the Salient Editorial of March 19, 1968
4. report to the University Council and a Special General Meeting of this Association before the July 31, 1968.
And That if the University Council decided not to nominate members to the suggested Joint Committee, then the Executive shall call a Special General Meeting of this Association within two weeks of the April Council meeting to consider the matter further."
This was communicated to the Registrar, Mr
"Your letter of 19th instant conveying a resolution of your Association suggesting that a joint committee be set up to consider the part to be played by students in the government of the University, was placed before Council at its meeting yesterday afternoon (April 30).
"Council resolved that it agreed in principle to the establishment of a joint committee to report upon matters raised by your Association, the committee to consist of four persons nominated by the Council, four by the Professorial Board and four by the Students' Association. It was thought, however, that the dates suggested by your Association would, in all circumstances, not be entirely suitable and therefore gave the committee authority to extend the time limit for the final report.
"Terms of reference proposed by the Council are as follows:
" 'To enquire into and report on the existing arrangements for the communication of student opinion to the authorities of the University and, where it was found desirable, to make recommendations for the improvement of these channels of communication, and more particularly into the desirability and the possibility of increasing student representation on various university committees with the object of improving the means whereby student opinion is brought more closely to the attention of the authorities of the University.'
"The Council delegates to this committee will be the Vice-Chancellor. Mr
"Council thought that the appointment of the Pro-Chancellor as chairman of the committee would facilitate the discussions and recommends accordingly to your Executive for its consideration.
The Executive of the Students' Association agreed at its meeting in early May to accept the suggestion of the Council that the Professorial Board be asked to nominate four members.
The terms of reference proposed by the Council were accepted and it was resolved "That this Executive has much pleasure in agreeing with the suggestion made by the University Council that the Pro-Chancellor (Mr
Executive carried unanimously a resolution on the motion of
The Victoria University Council has repeated its recommendation to the University Grants Committee that a scheme of bursaries for postgraduate work be introduced.
The Council's motion reads: "That the number of scholarships available for post-graduate study in New Zealand is quite inadequate to meet the needs of universities and the country."
A Professorial Board report considered that bursaries would stimulate research schools throughout New Zealand universities.
It referred to the Council's previous recommendation to the Grants Committee in 1965.
It was suggested that bursaries for viable research schools, particularly in science departments, be at least equal to the existing number of postgraduate scholarships.
Fees and $1000 p.a. wóuld be adequate and also allow a sufficient differential between scholarships and the bursary as recognition of merit.
Students, particularly those with second class honours degrees. who were unable to obtain support in this country, had been readily accepted, financed and successfully completed postgraduate degrees overseas, the report said.
A flourishing graduate school was an "essential prerequisite" to attract top calibre staff.
Competition for them was keen in New Zealand and the international field.
At present only one out of every 25 staff members could look forward to the attachment of a new postgraduate scholar each year.
There was no shortage of qualified and willing students to do postgraduate work, the report said.
So, when capable students were unable to pursue post-graduate education this was a serious loss to the community.
Professor Lloyd Geering thinks theology has a future.
Professor Geering, speaking to the New Zealand Science Students' Conference, said theology was still of vital importance to the human race but it had been forced to reconsider its role.
It was not realised by most that Christianity's basic doctrines incorporated many ideas from ancient Greek culture such as the Platonic doctrine of the immortal soul.
So Christianity was not the systematic culture it was generally thought to be.
"I like to think of the
One of the basic suppositions of the Christian faith was the reality and permanence of truth and thereby the eternal permanence of God, the source of truth.
Today it was the task of theology to reconcile this with many precepts considered un-Christian but which, in fact, had their role in the Christian faith.
"The new secular world has arrived so rapidly that the churches have been forced too much on to the defensive." he said.
"Much Christian thought has suffered because of this."
The Karori Young Nats oranised a debate on Friday
A prominent, very feminine member of Exec — a member who should be expert in the finer side of Wellington's cultural life—said the other day: "Cock is the biggest balls-up since Salient".
Rumour goes that prominent student
Blue vein cheese is to be provided by the House Committee chairwoman to rid the women's common room of vermin.
Student President and Women's Vice-president are to be our representatives to meet the Duke. It is not known if
On the evening of the Wahine disaster, almost the only club to hold its advertised meeting despite the storm was the Maths and Physics Society. The evening's business? A lecture entitled "Water Waves, and the Wake of a Boat ... "
Parliament needed more graduates, the Minister of Science, Mr. Talboys. told the New Zealand Science Students' Conference at Victoria University.
The lack of graduates in this field showed a serious lack of liaison between the academic and practical fields of science, he said
"The university is a privileged community, accepting and upholding academic freedom.
"But that freedom can be used effectively and enlarged only as long as the university decisions are made in the community."
A pattern of partnership between university, industry and Government was required.
Though no New Zealand surveys had been conducted, overseas studies had had frightening results.
Two out of three New Zealand-trained physicists left for overseas — hence the dearth of industrial scientists and science teachers and lecturers
It was significant, however, that many more biologists and agricultural experts remained in this country.
The reason for this was the fact that there were more satisfying challenges here than in the field of physical science.
Mr. Talboys emphasised the failure of the university to provide practical training in commercial science.
"The universities are too academic and idealistic,"he said.
Science graduates complained that they were completely ignorant of methods in industry.
The present university training handicapped graduates in their work. Industry was thus slowed down and society is the loser.
"Expansion must be as efficient as science and technology will allow," he said.
"It is in the interests of us all and particularly in the interests of the manufacturer that this should be so.
"This calls for better industrial research, more dynamic advisory services.
"It calls lor the employment of more scientists, engineers and technicians by industry itself."
Thus there must he greater contact between industry and the university, and this would be beneficial to both.
The President,
International Club,
V.U.W. Students Assn.
Dear Sir,
I am returning the card inviting me to the Public Address by Mr. Malik. I find it strange that an organisation such as yours should extend an invitation to the representative of a government responsible for the massacre of several hundred thousand of its citizens. Should you (and I can scarcely believe that this is possible) be unaware of the nature of this massacre you might refer to past issues of a non-partisan, non-committed and recognised authority on Asia—"The Fur Eastern Economic Review"; this magaziue devoted several articles to the extent and nature of the slaughter.
"All we can do is try and improve what is there", the Wellington City Town Planner, Mr. Saxton, told the inaugural meeting of the Geography Students
Wellington's main problem was transportation.
The private car gave the individual freedom but this freedom was marginal in the city.
"Because of the high number of trucks the motorway is still necessary even if we stop cars coming into the city". he said.
Housing presented another problem, for between 10-20,000 more people would be living in Wellintgon in 20 years and there was little space left.
Earth-moving machinery could improved the situation, although the architect was often not impressed by the end result.
High-rise buildings would solve some of the land shortage.
In reply to a question, Mr. Saxton said that though the town planners had only an "advisory capacity" they were not subjected to the political ideologcies of the Members the Council.
However, regional integration of planning and large scale radical planning were impracticable.
If they were, he said. Wellington should be built elsewhere.
There has been some criticism of the new lecture block at the south end of Easterfield building.
Some distraction to students and staff was caused when the building was not finished before lectures started.
In one Criminal Law lecture, several students narrowly avoided injury when a heavy light fitting dropped from the ceiling.
All fittings have since been securely fastened.
Most complaints concern aspects of the building's design. The double swing doors at the back of each theatre and the very small mezzanine floor at the entrance to the top theatre have been criticised as bottlenecks.
The unnecessarily large foyer space and the small main entrance to the block have also drawn some comment.
When questioned about the new block, Dr. Culliford, the Vice-Principal, said that the authorities were pleased with it.
He said that most of the building's shortcomings could be explained. It is only the first stage of a larger building, resulting in some necessary compromises.
Because of this the mezzanine floor was only half the size it would be when the block was completed.
Similarly the doorways were carrying more than their normal traffic.
He said that the double doors at the top of the theatre and in the foyer comprised statutory smoke lobbies in the case of fire.
The fact that they are propped open for convenience may negate any advantage of fire control, he said.
Answering a criticism of acoustics, Dr. Culliford said that the architect had sat in on two full days of lectures which he considered had fairly tested the sound qualities of the theatre.
It was felt that the cause for criticism may have been the lecturers rather than the acoustics, he said.
Student holiday travel to the United States has received official Government confirmation.
The scheme is based on a reciprocal visit by American students in return for the visits by New Zealanders, and permission for the Americans to enter the country came in a letter from the Minister of Immigration, Mr. Shand, to the President of NZUSA,
The letter laid down that only 25 American students will be allowed in in the first instance for a maximum of four months, and that N.Z.U.S.A. will have to be responsible for finding jobs for these.
The only other condition is that all the students hold fully paid return tickets.
The American State Department has already agreed in principle to taking an equal number of New Zealand students, and is only waiting for official confirmation from here. The New Zealand Embassy in Washington has been requested to inform the State
Department of the arrangements that have been made.
McGrath said that there would be no real system for allocating places for the visit to America, and they would go to the first 25 to get their deposit in to the Student Travel Bureau.
If. however, there was an overwhelming majority from any one University, some effort will be made to try to spread the places more evenly.
The "Seven Seas Bar"
Best In New Zealand
Entrees, Cold Buffet, Vegetables, Hot Pies
In the country of the politically maimed, the one-armed man is king.
Side by side at Labour Conferences with Big Boy Norm, who climbed to power by stabbing Labour's last leader figuratively in the back, sits Norm the one-armed bandit, symbol of Labour's housie generation, the man who first abandoned Labour leader Savage and then Democratic Labour Leader Lee, and is now Labour's president. They run the Party conference as if it were a cross between the annual convention of Al Capone's gang during Prohibition and the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party.
Lining the platform table of Labour's conference are the framed (in how many senses?) plush photographs of the Leaders of the past; from the platforms come encomniums of the leadership—"Norm and I are very close" (
The two Norms—both related, I am credibly told, to that leading Australian figure. Norm Everedge—are too shrewd to rely on anybody else to do their own dirty work. There's nobody that loves you like yourself, as they say. When some academic or other criticises, they are quick to recommit the resolution (that she persuaded conference to pass) when almost half the delegates are gone, carefully making the issue one of confidence in the leadership. When Big Norm stands before the conference with incipient tears glistening in his eyes, to tell them how a political scientist has betrayed their conference and delivered them into the hands of the National Party, who could say him nay? Who knows, perhaps he even believed it himself.
By
The proper reaction to this enactment of what could almost be a scene in Bonnie and Clyde or The Threepenny Opera is Brecht's comment—
Those who lead the country into the abyss
Call ruling too difficult
For ordinary men.
The two Norms should be shown up as what they are—men who seek individual power With the minimum of scruple. Their opponents are such different people in outlook and personality from the two Norms that in their characteristic generosity (especially to those in power) they are willing to overlook such minor episodes in their leaders' lives as the deposition of earlier leaders. They try to persuade men who know only the language of power with sweet reason and political science. In part this is because they genuinely regard the Labour leadership as honourable men because incapable of regarding anybody otherwise; in part it is because they have more in common with the Labour leadership than often appears. Both the two Norms and the university branches which oppose them want to maintain the Protection money racket—the system whereby in return for donations to Party funds manufacturers (collectively) are given unlimited Protection (also known as import substitution) from overseas competition. By this system manufacturers can be as inefficient as they like provided only they employ enough people to satisfy the trade unions (this is what Dr. Wall called the essential humanism of the Labour Party). The businessmen also get low interest rates if they say they can't get enough ready money to keep on employing people. As Dr. Finlay once said, if you don't believe in import substitution you shouldn't be in the Labour Party. People in the universities don't want to end this system—not only does the system keep the money coming in, but their real aim is to set up an educated middle class to participate in the "industrialisation" protection has been supposed to produce over the last fifteen years and never has. If you build up manufacturing, you place a greater premium on education—and so build up a bigger and better class system.
The university Labour group at the 1968 Conference was this year in its seventh year as a distinctive group there. This is the first occasion when it has produced a 'radical' programme on such issues as SEATO, Malaysia, and the Police Offences Amendment and Public Safety Conservation Acts. The Princes Street branch has in previous years refused to adopt an anti-SEATO branch as has Victoria University branch, while as president of the Auckland Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Dr.
The biggest outcry against Party HQ Victoria University branch raised last year was when a watersider was selected for the
The universities have changed Party policy on human rights and foreign affairs in a desirable direction, if for their own motives, at this conterence. But as the New Zealand Herald said contradicated, a Labour Government would probably ignore such a directive (on SEATO) and a party whose conferences are run as dictatorially as this one cannot take a very effective stance as a Party of Freedom. This leaves Labour offering a repetition of its 1935 economic policy—minus a Social Credit policy for the farmers and an adequate welfare programme. Labour will do better than National, we are told, but National's question of where the money will come from remains unanswered. Labour is still hoping for a blank cheque—in every sense—from the electorate, which will probably be filled by Black Budget-style taxation.
As economist
The fashionable nationalistic hysteria of New Zealand's Sutchian left may well be dangerous. Someday somebody may become convinced that independence or sovereignty is actually possible. The left must be made to realise that decisions made elsewhere in the world must affect us. Rather than the vain attempt to cut ourselves off from these decisions it is intelligent to try to ensure that we have some part in their formation.
The obvious place to start is in Canberra, and the obvious way to make sure we have some part in making decisions there is by becoming a state of Australia. This might be a bit drastic for some people but even the leftists will see that a country of 15 million people would have more chance of being independent than would two smaller countries.
And economic planning over an area as large as Australasia is surely a worthy left-wing aim, and is quite possible under the Australian Constitution.
But there are advantages also to someone who has some confidence in private enterprise. There is the advantage of increased specialisation, a larger market and a larger possible volume of production, increased competition and the elimination of inefficient producers, and greater difficulties in establishing monopolies.
The leftists are the first to deplore the division of countries they think should be unified. They must be reminded that the differences between the two parts of Vietnam are far greater than the differences between the two parts of Australasia. As Mr.
Since the Second World War conditions have conspired to make Australia and New Zealand look more towards each other. A similar strategic position, the decline of Britain, and the development of air transport are perhaps the most important.
Dr.
But complete federation may not yet be acceptable to the New Zealand electorate. Something more limited may be necessary, perhaps on the lines of the arrangements in Europe, where together with a common market there is a system of intergovernmental committees, an independent secretariat, a council of ministers, and an organisation of members of Parliament.
This system would give both the advantages of co-operation, and the advantages of economic union, without damaging the emotions of the more sentimental New Zealanders too much. But it will always be a second best.
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This article is by
Looking back on the recent summers of violence in the United States and on the very recent waves of destruction triggered by the assassination of Dr.
This is true not only for the United States, but also for Britain, with her increasingly apparent racial problems, and indeed for any and all nations containing two or more distinct racial groups.
The first possibility, ludicrous is it may sound, is the reestablishment of slavery. True. it may sound far-fetched, but the much publicised Report From Iron Mountain on the Possibility and Desirability of Peace explores this possibility for America! there is no good reason why it should not be considered as well on the grounds of settling once and for all the relationship of the races. For that mutter, rational men in Germany perpetuated outrages worse than slavery upon their fellow beings not so long ago. This then, is one possibility: slavery, either as a legally buttressed institution or else as a tacitly accepted but strongly enforced domination of one race over another.
This option, obviously, could only be realized after a full scale second American civil war even bloodier than the first.
What of the second Option, apartheid? This, in effect, is what some of the extremist Negro leaders are now calling for. They are saying, as does Dr. Vorster, that the two races are incompatible; that they can only coexist peacefully if they are completely separated from each other. Some American Negro leaders arc now calling for separate areas of the country to be given over exclusively to the Negro community. But is this not just the South African "Bantustan" transferred to North America? "Bantustan", alter all, are the expressed ultimate development of apartheid; American "Negrostans" would be nothing less. In America, as in South Africa, one of the two supposedly "separate but equal" races would be more equal than the other. The stronger group will want to control the worthwhile areas and resources—and both groups will want weapons. Endless squabbles and bloodshed would inevitably result from the system, and wo are back to civil war.
The third option at hand, mass deportation of Negroes to (presumably) Africa is a practical impossibility. The American Negro, generations removed from Africa, has no real ties to that continent. He is as detached from Africa as the fourth generation German or Italian American is from his ancestral homeland. and he certainly has no desire to start a new life in an unfamiliar continent itself beset with disunity and economic troubles. For that matter, no African state would accept American Negro immigrants in any numbers. They have enough problems of their own. Any attempt to impose mass deportation on the American Negro could only lead to civil war as I have argued already.
The fourth possibility seems to be the only reasonable alternative for Americans, for only integration on the model advocated by the late Dr. King can avoid the otherwise inevitable civil war. Only acceptance of the coloured community into the larger American society can avoid a bloodbath. This is a reasonable alternative, but can the people concerned be reasonable? Can integration Still be accomplished in the wake of the recent experiences which have embittered both black and white?
Integration at bayonet point, even if Congress or the legislature had the stomach to attempt it. could not succeed, but would only engender more intransigence and lead to more violence on the part of the Europeans.
However civil rights laws without "teeth" can be and are easily ignored by those who do not wish to obey them, and such a farce could only lead to more violence by those Negroes who have made it clear that maintenance of the Status quo is unacceptable to them. Many more from the hitherto quiet Coloured masses would then join the "activists" if it became apparent that their hopes for a better life, hopes aroused in the last decade, were to be shattered. Hopefully, steady progress toward the goal of equal opportunities in schooling, employment, and housing, plus massive doses of urban housecleaning should give the Negro community something to live for-something worthwhile to be gained without violence. Most Negroes will probably spurn the demagogic apostles of "Black Power", but only if they can see real opportunities for them to get into the "great American middle class".
The status quo itself is little better than modified apartheid, with the great mass Negroes still restricted by while intransigence to housing, jobs, and social positions separate From (and inferior to) those still tacitly reserved for whites only to use. The last few years have shown beyond question that this situation cannot continue.
So it is over to the European community. If white Americans are willing to come to accept the Negro as an equal, to continue the progress made in the late fifties and early sixties toward equalizing the races, then perhaps the second American Civil War can be avoided.
There are only four possible choices for the United States three of them can only lead to tragedy. There are no other alternatives.
I have been asked why I joined the National Party Club. I joined the National Party Club because I see the danger of revolution in New Zealand as so great that I think it is time for all good men to close ranks to maintain the status quo.
The New Zealand Government does not take seriously the possibility of revolution in New Zealand. I wish to establish that this possibility exists, and that it is in fact a near certainly.
A revolution is an occasion when a group of people, previously without political power, seize political power by dispossessing the original possessors of that power. In Marxism, the groups engaged in a revolution are seen as economic classes, the capitalists and the workers, and so forth.
In New Zealand there are no evident classes of this sort. New Zealand is more obviously an egalitarian society than any other, and almost as obviously a classless society.
But this fact should not lull one into the disbelief that revolution is impossible. Even in an egalitarian society power can be monopolised by a few people, so counterposing two opposed groups, those with power and those without.
Indeed, where this exists in an egalitarian society, there is no doubt that a revolution is inevitable, because it is certain that an egalitarian society must of its nature require power to be diffused among all members.
As no one would say that power is so diffused among all New Zealanders, the possibility of revolution exists.
In the broadest terms, political power is the power to direct other men. It is the power which a man exercises who is master over another man in any way.
Such power in New Zealand, in the broadest sense, is managerial. In New Zealand, one man directs another not because he has a financial advantage, or a military advantage, or an intellectual or cultural advantage. He directs that man simply because he is a manager.
Government in New Zealand is managerial. It manages New Zealanders. The managerial hierarchy runs in New Zealand down from Cabinet, to heads of departments and leaders of commerce, to branch managers, supervisors, overseers, foremen.
At the base of the hierarchy are the workers, clearly the majority of New Zealanders, who are under supervision, under management.
The essence of being a worker in New Zealand at present is to be under management, and to be under management means exactly to be without complete responsibility and discretion over one's job.
This hierarchy of management might seem the most natural and proper thing in the world to most people. But what it seems to them is not the whole story.
It is axiomatic that no man is good enough to be another man's master. If so, then no man is good enough to be a manager, since a manager is a master.
It is true that society cannot exist without management, but there is no reason why management should be separated from work.
The worker can be his own manager, individually with respect to his own job, collectively through workers' councils with respect to the collective effort, and so by delegation to higher councils to the national effort. A society of this sort can exist.
The principle of such a workers' society is responsibility and discretion to the man who does the job. If a worker is not able to exercise that responsibility and discretion, then he should be doing some other job where he can.
Allowing that a workers' society might be feasible, it is of course true that one must first show that it is preferable to a managerial society.
It is in fact preferable because a managerial society is undesirable for a number of reasons.
First, the restriction of power to a few, militates against egalitarianism, and we allow that egalitarianism is desirable.
Second, a managerial society is grossly inefficient. This can be seen by looking at New Zealand. Neither the managers nor the workers in a managerial society are functionally at all useful.
Management is total confusion, and workers under management are largely unproductive, because most of their effort is wasted.
Thirdly, management is parasitic because its activity can be carried on directly by the workers.
Managers individually arc parasitic in many cases because they individually do not contribute anything at all to the work process. Most managers are idlers.
Fourthly, management invariably leads to the collapse of the work system, be it firm or nation, that it is managing. This can be seen in many businesses and in New Zealand on the national level.
On these four plain counts the undesirability of management is plain.
Workers are realising that management is undesirable. This realisation is gradual, but in view of the total incompetence of New Zealand management the fact can no longer be hidden, and must inevitably be recognised within a short period.
When the realisation is widespread, then there will be a revolution against management. The power which management confers just simply will be taken into the hands of the workers.
The managerial system has survived so long in New Zealand because it is a social hangover from a time and society when the middle class was dominant over the workers.
At that time the middle class had an economic advantage, and the middle class government a military advantage, over the workers.
But here in New Zealand there is no middle class, no economic advantage and no military advantage. Nothing, therefore, is supporting our managerial system in existence. Accordingly, when our workers turn against it, it must disappear overnight.
There is no means within our society to stop the inevitable revolution of the workers against management. Government is powerless in this. Its -agencies of police and military would be totally ineffective against an uprising of the workers.
There is no possible means of controlling New Zealanders by economic pressure. There is no chance at all of setting up a Fascist state, a police state, or a dictatorial state, simply because the majority of New Zealanders, as it happens workers, would not accept such a stale from anybody who tried to impose it.
The revolution is both inevitable and absolutely irresistible. And it is coming soon. The present economic difficulties of New Zealand have tended to muffle the dissatisfaction of workers with management, which is the cause of all their personal grievances.
But the same economic difficulties must in time produce a far greater revulsion against the managers, because those difficulties show up inescapably the incompetence, destructiveness, and unprofitableness of managers.
The workers' society which will follow this coming revolution will be organised upon three principles, worker responsibility and discretion as previously stated, the principle that every man, woman and child is of a right entitled to food and shelter, and the principle that the sole purpose of work is the satisfaction of the people's needs and interests.
Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of the party
Mr. D. W. Bain, a former Chancellor of the University, said at a meeting of the Canterbury University Council: "What has been written ill-becomes any newspaper, let alone a student body."
"I suppose that in the light of the stuff that has got into CANTA in the past, this is relatively mild," said Mr. Bain, "even if we consider, as I do, that it goes beyond the bounds of fair comment.
"It is a gratuitous insult to the leader of Her Majesty's Government in New Zealand. This sort of article, even if it reflects minority opinion, does no credit to the student body and it does great harm to the university."
Mr. Bain moved that the council note the derogatory tone of the article and refer it to the professorial board.
The Rev.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor
Professor
"Our new rep. on Council, Mr. Nathan (President of Canterbury Students' Association) spoke against CANTA," said its editor,
But the Students' Association Exec decided to take no action.
A motion of censure was passed against the president for failing to support CANTA at the Council meeting.
[The article is reprinted here, without apology, because I think it is funny. -Ed.]
Two tours are planned this year for the newly-formed N.Z. Chamber Players.
The group is being organised by the resident conductor of the Alex Lindsay Orchestra, Mr.
The players will tour the provincial cities in June and then again in September and October, when the main centres will be included in the itinerary.
On the first tour, a Douglas Lilburn sonata, a piano trio by Ravel and a Bach cantata will be among the works played.
The New Zealand soprano Elisabeth Hellawell will join the group to present folk songs by Beethoven.
Continued from page 1.
Consider the policy point by point:
(1) The policy called for an immediate and extensive overhaul to ensure that adequate in-patient and out-patient services were available.
"This doesn't say a thing," Mr Blizard said. "It makes no specific recommendations for improvement and overhaul. It's a platitude."
The policy said immediate endeavours would be made to overcome the present serious shortage of psychiatrists, psychologists and social workers.
"This is another pious and imprecise platitude," Mr Blizard said.
"What endeavours? Is it intended to provide improved training facilities? Improve the conditions of work, and facilities for research, so as to hold those staff we now have? Or what?"
The policy said post-graduate study would be provided for doctors prepared to undertake and specialise in psychiatric work.
"Are there any doctors at the moment who want to enter psychiatric medicine but are prevented from doing so by shortage of training facilities?
"I challenge Mr Kirk to show that this is the case. He would do much better to improve working conditions and perhaps attract the 30 or so New Zealand psychiatrists now working in New South Wales.
"This is probably the 'cheapest' way of providing psychiatrists," Mr Blizard said.
The policy said 'out-patient facilities would be extended to enable an earlier participation in community life.'
"Where do they intend to place these facilities? Attached to the existing psychiatric hospitals, attached to general hospitals, as part of community mental health centres? Or what?
"Specific places should also be stated, as well as the time scale of operations.
"The local recipient community could then ensure that party promises were kept.
The policy said Labour believed that psychiatric hospitals should be co-ordinated with general public hospitals under hospital board administration. The steps by which this could be achieved would be worked out in consultation with the parties involved the policy said.
"This policy was repudiated from the platform at the 1968 conference," Mr Blizard said.
"In any event 'consultation with the parties involved' has now been going on for at least a decade with no positive result.
"If Labour really means what it (doesn't) say it would assert that on becoming the Government it Would transfer the psychiatric hospitals to Board control. Period.
"As stated, this policy is just another empty slogan.
"Let us now bring this story up to date: Earlier this year the Caucus of the New Zealand Labour Party issued a policy statement on health.
"Its only mention of psychiatric medicine was that 'we will carry out urgent reforms in mental health.'
"As with the 1966 policy, there is no clear indication of what specific reforms they intend to undertake on becoming the Government.
"There is no clear indication of how these (unspecified) reforms will be carried out by the Labour Party.
"There is no clear indication that any form of cost-benefit analysis has been carried out, or means by which additional revenue (if needed) will be made available.
"There is, on the other hand, every indication that the Parliamentary Labour Parly has not done its homework.
"It did not do it in preparation for 1966. And there is every indication that it will be similarly irresponsible in 1968.
"In relation to mental health policy the Labour Party (as well as National) has substituted slogans and catchcrys for policy. Platitudes will not cure the sick, will not convince the electorate, and will only fool the parly hack and the ultrafaithful.
"In his presidential address, Mr Douglas 'indicts the National Party because it has allowed the breakdown of our health services'.
"I would ask him if Labour has proposed effective, viable solutions to the breakdown of our psychiatric services?
Similarly Mr Kirk says in his address: 'When the road ahead calls for change— change. When past policies need reshaping reshape them . . . policies must be shaped to meet the needs of changing times."
"The best answer I can give to this is that he fully support the following amendment.
"That the Parliamentary Labour Party be instructed to bring down a comprehensive report on our psychiatric services at the next conference. This report to state clearly and unambiguously the specific reforms Labour intends to carry out, the estimated cost of those reforms, and the time at which they will be introduced.' "
Canta, who kindly gave us permission to copy it, is in trouble (see opposite) for publishing ...
What's - His - Name?
The P.M. recently received an Honorary School Certificate. This followed recent recognition for the P.M.'s great services towards education in establishing the Ilam Technical Institute.
In accepting the award, the P.M. said that although he had said it before, it was still true that there are moments "when the certain aura of history is palpable in the living present".
"This," he went on, "is surely one? one of them.
"This presentation is a genuine example of democracy in action, and to one whose formal education has been unfortunately limited, it is a truly moving and heart-rending experience. and one which staggers the mind.
"Too often these days virtue is allowed to go unrewarded, and I wish to take this opportunity of thanking you all most sincerely for this recognition of my magnificent services to mankind.
"I walk through the main streets of our great New Zealand cities and who do I see? Hundreds of idle young men and women standing on corners, in phone booths, outside conveniences with their mouths wide open, and I think to myself, in my inimitable manner, how much I'd like to walk up to them and pop ping-pong balls into those tempting gaps.
"But, and I say this with all humility, another thought often strikes me when I see these youngsters cluttering our streets and making them unsafe for women and Prime Ministers: 'Is this what I created unemployment for?' I shudder and walk quietly on.
"Let me for a moment, however. speak in a somewhat lighter vein. During some of my more recent spare moments. I have, to use a popular phrase, would you believe, jotted down a few lyrics and I would like you who have just honoured me to now accept this gift in return: in my full-throated voice. I now present to you my version of a New Zealand National Anthem:
Put Stars and Stripes on every chest; Try to be America's best!
It's Uncle Sam who keeps us Free, So we do what America says, you see.
Each morning on my knees I pray That Marshal Ky will show the way, Defending Freedom every day? Putting those who disagree away.
Security Corps will guard our rights And save us from the nasty frights, While I will luck you is at nights If North Veetnumb shoots out our lights.
"Thank you. and while I am speaking of patriotic matters, I am led to wonder if there is anyone in this audience, nay, in this whole country with the courage of a Sir
"What a great publicity boost it would be for our nation in these troubled days for a, a New Zealander to sail the world, in a boat made from wool. And, and you may laugh, but someday it will be done.
"All along the untrodden pathways of the future. I can see the hidden footsteps of an unseen hand.
"Unlike many simple-minded people, I can see the great changes looming ahead of us. We must try to rise above mere morality, prudence and common sense.
"We must broaden our horizons. We must expand our export markets. We must persuade the Japanese, for instance, to eat more meat and drink more milk so that they will grow big and strong.
"The Japanese are our friends, and no longer need we prepare weapons to fight them. Which brings me to yet another topic, and to those of you who say that we are not spending enough on defence, I would say just this. Obviously we are spending enough, otherwise we would be spending more.
"I think the people of New Zealand have done a magnificent job in weathering the storms which my colleagues and I whipped up for them.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed these last few months which have been all too few, but I must confess to not a little feeling of admiration for all those wonderful Kiwis who voted for Mr. Muldoon and I, and who have brought more smiles to our faces in the last few months than ever before.
"The pig has done a superb job in righting the economic ills of this country; working up to three hours a day, on two or more days some weeks.
"Such intense devotion to duty surely deserves better than the ignorant and misguided criticism he has had heaped upon him from time to time by ignorant and misguided people whose name I will not mention.
"Us Members of Parliament have no recourse to strikes as the common workers have. We can't have a sit-in in the House of Representatives like the unemployed.
"We can't refuse to work until we get more pay.
"These foul manifestations must be nipped in the bud before the weeds nourished in these hothouses come home to roost.
"We must stop ourselves being driven by the inexorable winds of change and brace ourselves for the future that lies before us.
"Let us remember that a good dictatorship may often be preferable to a bad democracy and that the people must be allowed to choose freely.
"I should like to make it quite clear from the outset that the Free World cannot be truly Free while only half the world is Free.
"Recently, I have been running the country even better than usual, and I have had the idea, which in all modesty I think is about as good as anyone could have thought of, that some despicable people think our country is too much under the influence of the United States. Now I can tell you quite categorically that this is not the case.
"I think this proves beyond all doubt what a truly democratic nation this is in which absolutely anyone has a chance of achieving the highest office.
"I have only one country to devote my whole life to and I am convinced that the National Party is providing the best Government we have.
"And now, let me close with a short prayer ..."
Part 9
The Bugger merchants promised us that this dreary plain would end soon. We have been travelling for a week, and there is no sign of its end. I am a liar; at this very instant there is a shout from some of the more long-sighted among us . . . A long hill behind the pale rocks. Ottoman to my left maintains that this is not so; it is a mirage. Unwise of him. If he persists with his viewpoint he will be proved wrong.
Luckly we have entered a dip. and Ottoman is saved. Three days after the first false alarm we are certain that there is a hill ahead of us, though to the left of where some claimed to have seen it. In these three days we have all been in agony of indecision; those who looked hardest were most unsure and their eyes blurred. Sparadrap has very wisely been travelling backwards for the last week, that he might ignore the expectation that has made the remainder of us unfit for any task or thought. But it is only a hill! he exclaimed to me. and the hill is only the way to Aggabug, which is only the first of many cities on our way; if we rejoice too much on this occasion we may be disappointed on the next. [Here I fail, it must be admitted, to understand his reasoning, but have recorded it faithfully for scholars of future generations.]
We have come to the top of the hill past the desert. We are far above an enormous valley. Somewhere in this valley is Aggabug. We must follow the path. Now there are 87 of us busily scanning small parts of the view, searching for some sign of dense human habitation.
No sign can be found, and we are proceeding: It seems that many people live where we are going. This morning we passed a farmer on the road . . . a tall, heavy looking, pale-skinned fellow, as all here seem to be. For his sign of greeting he looked at our procession, his mouth wide open, and uttered no sign. For politeness I (and other, I presume) returned his greeting. It is well not to offend the locals; perhaps they can be useful to us at some time.
Phenobarbara has asked the way to Aggabug; it seems that we continue along the present road, past the staring peasants, who form a rapidly increasing consort about us. though they have not yet approached us in speech. Perhaps they are deterred by our animals, who look fierce, though they are gentle.
We are now camped just outside the walls of Aggabug. Probably there is not much room inside the walls; such cities are cramped, Sparadrap says. All are very quite and thoughtful—even the magicians are not working tonight. I wonder why. It is not like them to be disturbed by circumstances. In this wagon, the wisers are debating whether or not to enter the city, and how long we should stay here. Cantilever is of the opinion that no good will come of our entering the city or of staying long. We are looking for two things—our homeland, and the remainder of our people. And the alkahest, Quidditas put in; he was ignored by all but Cagliostro. Sparadrap is of the opinion that we should make a triumphal entry to the city and impress the Buggers. Ottoman and myself strongly endorse his opinion. We must show these ignorant inhabitants that we are now far more noble in demeanour than we were more than 2,000 years ago as our predecessors fled in the opposite direction to that in which we are travelling now.
At dawn a compromise is reached. First, messengers from among us will go into the city, inquiring from local historians about the route of our forebears, and any sight of our fellows or of the mysterious "dragonfly" who was mentioned by those in Ytinutroppo. Also, our messengers will look for a large flat piece of land on which we may camp. (The Buggers must regard our people as a peculiarly itinerant race.) I shall accompany the messengers, quâ historian.
A dozen of us took dragon-cats and at sunrise made our way towards the great iron gate of Aggabug. The gate was opened as we approached, not because we were approaching, but because the sun was rising. Phenobarbara asked one of the gatekeepers where the mayor might be found. The gatekeeper did not understand. Phenobarbara's dialect of the Blihrp language is so ancient that she cannot converse with the Buggers. Awkward! However the written form of the language remains the same; she wrote her question with a crayon on a piece of wood and showed this plank to the gatekeeper. (An illiterate fool.) At last a religious man leaving the city read the question aloud to the gate keeper, who replied; the religious man wrote the answer as follows:
Most peculiar! (I thought to myself) 12 what? We soon found out. The twelve were blue posts projecting from the ground. My dragon-cat tripped over a post. In anger it hissed, and the next post fell over. Suddenly, soldiers rushed from a nearby doorway, and pointed sticks at me. The dragon-cat hissed at a soldier, who fell over. Suddendly there was a number of thunderclaps and another soldier fell over. Retreat! Sparadrap called. We withdrew out of the gate; the Buggers then closed it. All were glaring at me, specially Whirligig. Now we have terrified the Buggers somehow, and I am blamed. Within a few minutes, the gates were opened again.
We have all returned to the camping place. Sparadrap is going to take the rainbow zebra-leopard and ride this friendly animal into the city, taking with him the Great Device of our people, and Waterlulu as interpreter (since Phenobarabara's dialect has been found incomprehensible). Now he leaves. His is an impressive figure as he rides toward the gate, his long black cloak and bushy brown tail flying behind him in the breeze. We shall anxiously await his return.
It is night, and Sparadrap has galloped in dishevelled without Waterlulu. The two of them, he says, entered Aggabug without hindrance, found the directions to be where they were dropped, and followed these directions (except for the last part) to the town square. They entered the town hall and asked to see the Mayor. Waterlulu was understood, but her request refused. She insisted, and was clapped into irons by a nearby soldier. Sparadrap was also clapped into irons, and freed himself with the Device, but could not longer see Waterlulu. This Is An Outrage Upon Our People! We shall spill the Buggers' blood for this. if necessary, to free noble Waterlulu and to regain our enviable reputation! We shall all return to the town. Anapaestic is being blindfolded that' she may paint the basilisk in hideous colours; all the Buggers will look at it with dismay and be blinded. We must spare them no mercy: the wrath of our people has been aroused.
Trevor Watkins.
So dawns another day, which makes how many? The burnished sea turned into the gentlest, most innocent virgin, the two-faced bitch in its morning glory. When now that soul sucking insatiable bereaver, masked in world bound ships' reflections, shimmering in the haze. Another morning, herald of a bastard day. Rising slothful to greet you, praises mingled with the curses of the nine o'clock queues. Girding myself in convention, trickle to the basin's edge, splashing, christen you Xeg the third. Why Xeg the third? Well, yesterday you were Xeg the fourth, and the day before, the fifth. In three days' time the world will end, so you see, I have timed your appellations to a nicety. High above the hill a bird floats, riding the upward currents, ever higher until, sated, it turns, dives, is lost to view. So with you, Xeg. No matter, I shall cheer your passing, wearing a spotted carnation, blackly will dance to your doom. Lying on a cloud, sucking grapes and pontefract cakes, I will review your exit, spit pips at your princess, gob on your ideals, perhaps even kiss some of your prettier whores. I'll laugh at your perfectionists, drink to your men of god, who fight so fiercely for the freedom of the world, and throw starving Indians at your Grandes Dames. And if you don't end on Saturday, I shall drop lightly off my cloud, extend my well-worn tongue, and carry on licking your ass. Thirty times a minute, I think you said? Licking your ass and wandering around the world, the proverbial fart in the thunderstorm. To London, wearing the 'in' clothes, mixing with the 'in' set, saying the 'in' things, drinking the 'in' drink—wood alcohol, if I visit the Scrubs. Thence to Rome, to bless the Pope, and on to Madrid, to get intoxicated on bulls' blood, and start shouting Nasty Things about the General. Free again, many years later, on to Zurich and Gnome-tickling, followed by a mercy dash to Poonah, just in time to bring the Mahareshi down to Earth.
What, sir, do you never dream, never wish yourself clear of your fellow animals, never pat your secretary's bottom and tell her to get f—? Shame on you, you're perfect, or, what's worse, well balanced, or, worse still, you haven't got a secretary. Come to wooden, windy, Wellington, worldly wilderness, twelve hours ahead of G.M.T., and six years behind all else. Sink your problems into apathy, join the band of lovers lost, and spill indifferent chemical beer or rank bad wine. Tap me on the shoulder and I'll sell you a handful of fresh-picked fleas, personal recommendations, suitable for the very young. One could, I suppose, go to Viet Nam. but they're having a 'Kill a Christian for Christmas' decade and thought by rights I should be safe, someone may make a ghastly mistake. All very well coming the martyr stunt if you happen to be of the faith, but if you're not then it tends to lose its funny side. Can you image going through all the pain and agony, slogging your way up to the pearly gates, and having Old Pete send you back down for impersonation? And just as you turn away the telephone rings and a booming Voice demands of a shaking Pete, recipient of a million Verbal lashings. "What's that bit of dirt doing dropping its blood on My new gravel drive?" "Well, Master, he's just come from the war, and . . ." "Its no good blaming it on the war. There's always a war. Only thing that keeps Me interested in that hole. Send that thing away and wash My drive." So, Sinner, flee, flee to Wellington, find consolation in those unmercenary arms, happy to snuggle through the night. Throw away your books, gods, cars, beliefs, and return to man's eternal comforter, and if they whisper. "Do you love me?", what does one little lie cost you? Besides, if you say it enough times, to enough of them, why, you might even convince yourself that you mean it, your passport to a broken heart.
Cabman.
Extrav 68 was rather a hit and miss affair, some of the skits—especially those involving less than three people—were very good, while others were hideous.
Somehow whenever more than three people were on the stage at the same time the whole show went wrong. Even the singing which on several occasions involved the whole cast had difficulty leaping over the orchestra (?) pit on the night I saw the show.
The dancing appeared as a shallow imitation of that of past years. I personally find the constant repetition of the same steps to be rather tedious.
Extrav 68 began with a plea for national pride and this monologue avoided becoming painful only because of Philip Brew's skilled delivery. The second skit was one of the highlights of the show; it consisted of
The next highlight was the Pete and Dud episode with The Time for Sherry sketch began well with Clive Thorpe, collapsed rather dismally during the Orlando episode, and was saved at the end by
The next laugh came again with the appearance of Macbird reading?). The dancers came next and stayed too long. The nicest thing that can be said about them was that they were followed by
And so, to Part Two, the Magical Mystery Tour spoof on Australia and New Zealand relations. This was very well staged and the producer should be congratulated on his skilled use of all the stage. The sets were attractive and quickly changed. The cast was dominated by
The marching team was funny, some of the lines were funny, on the whole it was enjoyable.
One of the things about Extrav 68 that irritated was the use of different actors to satirize the same people in different sketches. Consistent casting would have given the show a continuity it lacked.
As is obvious from the review I wasn't exactly entranced by Extrav 68 but I did think the performances of
—
The literary scene at Victoria has been rather active in recent years. This activity has not been due to great numbers.
Literary talent is rare, probably rarer than the other artistic talents. The result is that at any time a university is likely to have only very few students with this talent. Of course, there will be others who have an interest in writing.
From such a small group it is not to be expected that any great numbers of publications should issue or that they should represent any real achievement. But there have been publications, and it looks as if this year a good deal of literary work will see print in university media.
But it is not difficult to demonstrate that the literary group has played a part out of all proportion to its size in the university recently. That is the very nature of literary activity.
The literary group popularised the cult of nonsense in the university. It founded the Pooh Club, and inspired a public happening in which 500 students participated and 31 were arrested. This was the Taj Mahal incident.
Some measure of the activist, free-wheeling approach of students last year was due to this group. The presidential elections of winter 1967, when 50 odd nominations were received and 16 candidates went to the poll, reflect this attitude.
But while the Literary Society owes its notoriety to these non-literary activities, the real interest of the society should not be forgotten.
Literature is an art which has a peculiar standing in the community, and which is greatly affected by community attitudes.
Let me say a little about these matters.
In the course of history, literature has gained great prestige, probably deservedly.
New Zealand has inherited this high esteem of literature. But the discrepancy between this inherited esteem and the actual attention New Zealanders give the literary worker and the local product is so great, as to be paradoxical.
This discrepancy can be illustrated by a consideration of reviews and of sales. Many New Zealand magazines and papers review books. The reviewers' fees and the cost of paper and production for each review must run to quite a few dollars. But often the book sells only a few dozen copies.
It would not be difficult to argue that reviewing is economically indefensible. However, so great is the prestige of literature that literary editors and reviewers are long likely to profit by this act of homage.
Many New Zealanders see their work in print in book form. A very, very few can make a living from their books. Some may get a fair return from an odd book. But generally the profits on a book published are negligible for the author, and certainly not an economic return for the time and effort outlaid.
For the novelist there is little hope of more than a token return. For the dramatist and the poet there is no hope at all of a return.
A first class New Zealand poet with a popular following can sell 300 copies. I understand reliably that some reputable New Zealand poets are lucky to sell 80 or 100 copies.
The situation for books of poetry is that publication is impossible without a subsidy virtually covering all the production cost. Without the subsidy selling prices would be double and probably high for any sale.
In view of the poor support by the public, the government has been persuaded to grant aid to literature through the State Literary Fund, by subsidies on publications and grants to writers. The effect of this aid has not been altogether fortunate. It has succeeded in creating a false price level for books of poetry, and so made poetry not so supported a commercial impossibility.
It has also led, I believe, to a perversion of literary standards, at least in poetry, by the support of work of little merit.
New Zealand is not without financially successful publications, but they tend to appear in these classes: "beautiful New Zealand" books, appealing to sentiment and patriotism; books about sport or adventure, appealing to the outdoor type; scholarly books, written by academics and appealing to academic buying agencies, often students and books used as literary texts in schools and universities.
It should be obvious that more of these classes of books can be expected to provide an author with a year-in, year-out income, and none are avenues which promote the production of high literary work.
New Zealanders with literary interests are tempted to try to make an income by miscellaneous literary work or in journalism. Many people do make a living in these ways. However, the creative literary artists cannot serve two masters, and personally I consider it a gross mistake for a writer with serious pretensions to undertake such work.
Since, then, all hope of a profitable literary career seems ruled out in New Zealand, it might seem that this country can expect to have few writers. But this is unlikely to be the case, for a reasonable number of people will inevitably turn to literature for psychological reasons not unrelated to the prestige of literature and from a sense of mission. Such people do not face an altogether impossible situation.
I would say that the universities at present best serve New Zealand literature by providing a place where young writers can form groups, where they can organise publications, and where they can obtain a market for small publications.
Writers are a clannish lot, and naturally influence one another. But I do not believe they are much given to trying to educate and train one another in the art. I think one writer must allow another to learn and develop in his own way without interference. So in a group of creative writers much actual discussion or analysis of writing can be expected. This is better left to more purely academic and scholarly groups.
The one unique thing that a university can offer a group of writers is the opportunity of association free from outside interference. In recent years, it was the conscious intention to exclude established New Zealand writers from the university group.
The reason was that only in such isolation could a new approach to literature be developed. It would be too much to say that such an approach has appeared, but it is true that any writers who do emerge from this group will be unlike anything before seen in New Zealand and will reflect the mutual influence in the group.
There is no doubt that any book of real literary merit will reach publication by some channel, even though the author does not profit much by it, or that New Zealand offers various sorts of employment that permit the author to pursue his literary interests, after a fashion.
For instance, teaching. But at present, there is no chance of New Zealand supporting full-time literary artists.
My own solution to the publication problem has been to sponsor my own books or to find sponsors for them. In every case, the New Zealand writer is reaching publication by non-commercial means, at least in the first place.
Most of the publishing ventures that New Zealand writers have embarked on originated in the universities.
The prestige of literature leads many young people to try writing, but the total lack of finance means that few continue.
Those New Zealanders who do not give up in these circumstances must possess a Herculean dedication and must in due course find some sort of publication media. For a group of writers in the 1930's it was virtually a matter of setting up their own publishing firm. There is always the move to publish a magazine; Landfall is the most classy effort of this sort.
I shall hazard some guesses on the form of any literature we may produce. I may be describing my own work, but here goes.
I am sure of this, that at least embryonically a new type of New Zealand literature has appeared in Victoria University in recent years. This may be a foundation which can be built on in future. Prospects such as this make the literary scene at Victoria an exciting one at the present time.
Fielding is in his last year at a public school, heir apparent to the head boy and the likelihood of a brilliant university career in Classics before him. Although he is warned against it be proceeds to seduce a younger schoolmate who eventually turns to prostitution and suicide when Fielding deserts him. The relationship is used by a schoolfellow to win the school leadership and by Fielding's mother to force him to abandon a university career.
Raven excells in his treatment of the constantly changing relationships between people and the change in characters themselves. Ravens hero is the seducer, finding his younger schoolmate sexually attractive and vet when the boy succumbs Fielding is disappointed at the loss of the lad's innocence. He says of Christopher; "He smiled, or rather, that's what he thought he did. But his smile had changed: although the mouth and the lips were the same, there was a new look in the eyes, a look of invitation. It was no longer a smile, it was a leer. So that's what's gone, I thought: innocence. And then this look, which would have been so welcome in many others as a herald of casual pleasure, filled me, for a moment, with loathing. In others I should have thought it saucy, sexy, enticing; in Christopher I found it an obscene parody of something which I had once-only a day before-held almost sacred."
Fielding realizes that his homesexual relationships are only a temporary testing ground for his sexual skills. His interest in homosexuality is merely intellectual, for which he finds support in Greek and Latin and in the public school system. He has amused himself with a variety of boys in the past without ill-effects and realizes it is only part of the graduation to women. Yet he reasons that since there are not yet any women towards whom he can graduate, and since his reading of Greek and Latin recommends it, one can have the best of both worlds. He sees homosexuality at the same time as a rejection of Christian morality. To him it is a pleasant pastime and he cannot understand Christopher's desperation and is annoyed at his demands.
Raven uses passages where Fielding can rationalize, explain his non-involvement and so link together the plot. Raven illustrates, and indeed it is this he himself believes, the upper-class arrogance and non-concern. His hero is aloof from the problems of others, taking an intelligent interest but remaining uninvolved until his own immediate interests are threatened.
Perhaps one of the best drawn characters in the book is Fielding's mother. She is shown to be the meek wife of a blustering man, and it is she who defends her son and his right to choose his own career. It is only when her husband dies and she is in control of the purse-strings that it is shown that she has taken over her husband's voice, had been defending Fielding only to bind him tighter to her and has reverted to her bourgoise ideas of wanting her son to be a "real man" doing a "useful job" even if it is not what her son wants. It is the separation between the educated and the uneducated, the intelligent child and the domineering parent, and as Fielding (or Raven) sees it, the conflict of class attitudes.
Raven's major character takes his position of a member of the intellectual upper class and conducts his behaviour according to these standards. He recognises his inability to communicate with anyone of a lower social status but accepts such a position as his traditional role. The brief callous affair with a local shopgirl, his acknowledged embarrassment of his new-rich parents, his use of the old boy network all reinforce his upper class attitudes. Even after he has lost all his plans of an academic career and his mother has squandered the family wealth he still remains, an officer in the British army, a Tory, a gentleman—an English gentleman with a double set of standards; Raven's own admitted role.
The author's novels are a mixture of the new morality, for example Close of Play which went before the Indecent Publications Tribunal, and the conventional upper class standards, as seen in his essays The English Gentleman. This, his latest novel, is an excellently written book. Raven may write to a pattern which he recognises to be a good seller and undoubtedly based on his own experience but this in no way lessens the high professional quality of his work.
Fielding Gray. A novel by Simon Raven. Published by
Renato (Michael) Amato died suddenly in Wellington four years ago, at 35. This volume of his short stories, prepared by his close friend Mate, Landfall and Arena.
Shadbolt's selection follows a closely autobiographical vein, from the youth in his early teens taught up in the turmoil of war-torn Italy to the embittered intellectual in up country North Island forced to submit to the "Wop" and "Eye-tie" antagonism of New Zealand construction workers to the mellowed, domesticated graduate in Kelburn, Wellington, married and author of the beautiful "A Walk in the Shadows".
His first writing—in Italian—was as a destitute writer in Turin and Rome, friend of New Zealand Short Stories. Published in the World's Classic's series. Here too was the scene of "A Matter of Grammar", typifving the Italy he attempted to disown by coming to New Zealand. In "A Matter of Grammar"—written years later in New Zealand—Amato wrote of being forced to watch the execution of a band of Fascists he had fought with only 15 days before:
"If—as a young friend of mine would state, who must have been just born when all this happened—it did not sound like 'crap', I would say that on that day I died. I died with them, because they were the Italy I knew, the only possible Italy that could exist."
Amato the author and Amato the man probably never covered from the turmoil of his adolescence. The latter was left bitter and uncertain, the former too coldly objective, soon to dry up altogether.
And then, closer to home, there are the savagely objective "One of the Titans" and "The New, New ...".
Here is a scathing indictment of the pedestalled average Kiwi, so self consciously studied in New Zealand writing, by an Italian of sensitivity thrown into the mill of construction work in the central North Island, among New Zealanders who had fought the "Wops" and the "Eye-ties" in the Second World War and now treated them accordingly. When in "The New, New . . ." the new immigrant is confronted in the street by a hostile New Zealander Amato's thoughts are almost morbidly sarcastic; "And he understood also how his accent, his odd way of saying words, must sound disagreeable to the musical ears of these nice folks, of this nice man who had stopped him in the street with an obvious desire to be friendly and helpful."
At this time, although few of the stories indicate it, Amato was in despair, torn between the life he had hoped for, the New Zealanders he had met and, paradoxically, the Italy he had voluntarily left behind. He stopped writing completely, became a travelling salesman in linen. The introspective "Nothings" has a helpless, resigned quality, giving no hint of the more moderate, more settled Amato that was to come.
For Amato chanced. Married, living in Kelburn and completing an arts degree at Victoria, he started to write again. Indeed many of the stories in this volume, so intensely auto-biographical that most can be related to a specific period in his too-short life, were written at this time, sometimes translations from the original Italian. In "Bargains" and "A Walk in the Shadows", the latter the last words he ever wrote, there is little sign of the embittered hedonist of the previous four years. "Bargains" is "suburban", gloriously mundane in every personal detail, while in the dreamlike "A Walk in the Shadows" Amato seems to have found a quality of expression somehow-lacking in some of the lesser stories in this volume. And, tragically, this was the final effort. In April 1964 he died suddenly of a cerebral haemorhage, only 35:
"It is a beautiful hill; it is a beautiful day, but it is always as it has been. I am so short of time."
The Full Circle Of The Travelling Cuckoo, by
The biggest surprise on the English recording scene is the recent news that Decca have exclusively contracted the Los Angeles Philharmonic, at present being directed by Decca conductor Petroushka, Pictures at an Exhibition (on side one the orchestral version, on side two Vladimir Ashkenazy plays the piano version), Scriabins Poem of Ecstacy and Schoenberg's Transfigured Night. I would think that at least the Tchaikovsky and Mussorgsky should be released in New Zealand fairly shortly.
Mehta and Ashkenazy have also recorded a stunning performance of Brahm's second piano concerto with the London Symphony (Decca SXLM 6309 Stereo). This is a marvellous work comparatively neglected in local catalogues.
Ashkenazy handles the difficult and exhausting solo part with great aplomb, blending lush romanticism with a light delicate touch. Mehta is the 'compleat accompanist'—sympathetic, attentive; he gets a beautiful warm string tone. An excellent recording with good balance between piano and orchestra.
I must confess that until I received a copy of an album by pianist Dummer Ponel K455. The Bax doesn't appeal to me—a mediocre work sounding like a twentieth century version of something Liszt scribbled out in a hurry and promptly threw away in disgust. The Tippett is much more recent (1962) and more worthwhile. Cooper seems at ease with this and the piano tone improves considerably. The Mozart fill up isn't played up to the standard expected from a pupil of Fischer, the doyen of Mozart interpretators.
The recording is rather harsh with a hollow sound. However, beggers can't be choosers; the Tippet makes the disc a worthwhile audition to the sparse ranks of recordings of contemporary English music.
Last year R.C.A. issued a glorious album Leontyne Price, Prima Donna: Great Soprano Arias from Purcell to Barber (LSC 2898 Stereo). Now they have released Volume 2 "
Strauss Waltzes in Phase Four Stereo (PFSM 34117) is a sumptuously recorded collection of all the old favourites—Blue Danube, Tales from the Vienna Woods, Voices of Spring, Artists' Life and Wine, Women and Song. My only complaint is that Antal Dorati has been a little too serious—much of the lilt and the gaiety of the waltz is lost in these "concert hall" performances. The London Philharmonic revel in the brassy, exhilarating music, but I sense that they are restrained and would have enjoyed a little more 'gay abandon' in interpretation.
— Don Hewitson.
The next two weeks will be one of the most intensive periods of film showings at university this year. Tonight on the Film Society programme is the Bette Davis-Joan Crawford movie Whatever Happened to Baby Jane; Directed by The Dirty'Dozen) this is grand guignol in true Hollywood style.
This weekend will be devoted to that most American of all genres, the Western. The emphasis will not be on the perennial classics so much as those films which have contributed and expanded the frontiers of the genre. In Red River (starring The Gunfighter with
The weekend will also feature a barbecue on Saturday night for those who register for the weekend. Inclusive fee is $1 for members and $1.50 for non-members.
Monday's film is the high camp Modesty Blaise and on Wednesday the drama Rapture.
A recent correspondent takes me to task for my method of cooking vegetables. Apparently my habit of using large volumes of boiling water does not preserve the vitamins.
I feel it necessary, therefore, to make a disclaimer. I am not, and never have been interested in saving vitamins, and I have never claimed that I am. My attitude is to save the flavour, and let the vitamins take care of themselves. I plan meals to present as wide a variety of flavours as possible, rather than to achieve a balanced diet. I think that my approach probably does give a balanced diet, as I have not noticed any signs of scorbutic or other forms of decay, but if it does not, I don't really care. I would rather eat tasty food and have to take vitamin pills, than be wondrously healthy on stodge.
My method of cooking vegetables is thus designed to make them taste as pleasant as possible, by cooking them as rapidly as possible so that they do not spoil or discolour, and remain tasty and crisp. This is why I use sufficient boiling water to prevent the liquid going off the boil when the vegetables are added. Simple physics will tell us that if we add a large mass of cold solid to a small mass of boiling water, the temperature of the mixture is likely to fall below boiling point, the rate of heat transfer to the interior of the vegetable will be less than if boiling temperature were maintained, and so the cooking time, will be longer. Hence the chances of spoilage will be greater.
When I use this method of cooking green vegetables (known as blanching, by the way) I find a large quantity of salt essential. Not only is the salt highly disseminated throughout the cooking liquid, but its chances of penetration into the vegetable are fairly small since cooking time is short. Unfortunately I can't give an exact figure to the amount I use, since I have never measured it; but it would be of the order of one tablespoon per pound of vegetable. And I do not like salty foods.
My correspondent,
Sir,—Students are indeed fortunate to have as original a humorist working for their edification and amusement as the writer of the "Outside Left" column.
Last week he told us that when he wrote that nobody would risk their bourgeois career to become chairman of the COV he really meant that nobody would stand against Barry Mitcalfe. Perhaps this week he will reveal that when he referred to me as a physics student he really meant that I hold three degrees from this University; this would at least prove that he (or she) knows how to read the University calendar.
Although I sat my last units in 1964. I suppose that I still am a student in the sense that I am still prepared to learn—something apparently that certain Salient correspondents will never do.
(This letter was omitted from the previous issue in error, — Ed.)
Sir,—Salient's Hedda Hopper (the journalistic eunuch who created the "Outside Left" column of April 23) obviously was not at the Political Science Society/Labour Club wine and cheese evening which he reported in such detail. The only brands of wine served were: Corbans, Penfolds, Wahiri, Vidals and McWilliams, in equal quantities. To which of these does he refer in his statement "the well-made New Zealand wine is undrinkable"?
The "round half-dozen Labour M.P.'s" he mentions in fact numbered "round twenty-one", and his inference that the Society (and the Labour Club) made a sinister profit by economising on wine, cheese, ana other items (including the cost of glasses, publicity, breakages, etc.) would be libellous if anyone took him seriously—the evening ran at a loss of about $10.
Finally, the Pol. Sci. Society was not showing any unfair bias in its association with the Labour Club. Its aim is to give students direct contact with those in power and, with this in mind, a similar function will be held in conjunction with the National Club: probably on the Tuesday before Study week.
Sir,—I feel moved to beg the courtesy of your columns for the purpose of drawing your readers' attention to the perpetration of an abdominable deceit.
On a recent Wednesday I hopefully attended a meeting of the Pooh Society, with the avowed intent of partaking of a modicum of honey, while at the same time being soothed by mellifluous voices reading extracts from the works of Pooh's confidante and biographer, Mr.
To my amazement, Sir, I was assailed with some vulgar lines from The Hunting of the Snark, These lines, written by one Lewis Carroll, a clergyman and mathematician of some note, while having a certain soi distant but decadent charm, are certainly not the work of a Pooh-fancier.
Although the ascetic beauty of Mr. John Hales' features cannot be denied, it was a shock to hear such perversions of the true, or Pooh, faith. As I sat, Sir, munching my farinaceous comestible, thinly coated with honey, I meditated upon this departure from the paths of doctrinal rectitude. It was like hearing the apocrypha read in a Methodist church.
Let us rise up as one to protest this violation of the accepted moral code. Hales is no Prof. Gerring, free to assail our cherished beliefs without harm. Therefore, may I suggest that we rend tins schismatic fiend in twain, and use the halves to while away an idle hour at Pooh-sticks? And as, Sir, we watch the halves of Hales float away down the harbour, let us remember the British Empire was made strong by honey and Pooh.
I remain, etc., Your obt. and humble servt., James (true-blue-Pooh) Mitchell.
Sir,—I regret the laying down of the stoney-concrete path outside the side entrance of R-B as an outright act of aggression. It was intended, no doubt as an escalation in the battle for student respectability, forcibly inducing the student to don footwear.
The only way the oppressed can read on defence is to tear up the concrete monstrosity. So ...
Sir,—Thank you for the honour of being called "founder" of the Committee on Vietnam, but there were others responsible for the paternity of this lusty but illegitimate infant.
The Melser brothers, Jan McElwee, Nick Rosenberg and Adrian Webster set the Vietnam protest in motion on a momentous Easter in 1965 when they rallied a few friends, including me, to demonstrate to New Zealanders the implications behind Cabot Lodge's flying visit to New Zealand.
Incidentally, we were right—although the government denied it at the time, the visit was to ask for New Zealand troops to participate and hereby share the moral responsibility for a war most New Zealanders had barely noticed, let alone examined for justice or meaning.
So you might say the Melsers fostered the child. I was merely midwife, and not a very experienced or competent one.
Mr
Activity in the theatre should revolve around drama alone, and on every night of the week at that, he feels; and he also thinks that too many students simply turn up For a part in a play without taking enough interest or notice in the other aspects theatre work involves.
This last comment of Mr Webby's should be taken up as advice for he is certainly in a position to offer it. He has spent the last two years in successful study for an M.A. in Drama at the Dallas Theatre Centre, Texas, U.S.A. Theatre study in the States is away out on its own, and the diploma and graduate courses are extensive and stimulating, judging by the range of Mr Webby's experience there, and enthusiastic account of it.
Mr Webby was one of a group of about 200, and when asked how the other graduates would follow up their full-time study, he said they usually sought professional work, or taught at other colleges. Television is the up-and-coming media for acting and competition is intense. A degree in Drama from such a university as San Antonio (where he studied) would he valid pretty well all over the States, and would stand a drama student in good stead whether he aimed for full-time acting or teaching.
Because of the great variety of subjects involved in this field, many students become engrossed in one particular aspect and concentrate on it. Some students who take Drama units incidental to another graduate course become enticed into what sounds a fast-moving and exciting milieu. When this happens, and they wish to change course mid-stream, there are some units which can be cross-credited towards a Drama degree.
Even subjects that sound strictly limited to class study, like the History of Drama and Theatre Literature are still tied in directly with the acting classes, as Mr Webby discovered. However, his particular pigeon was producing ('directing' in America, although a director means something else again, in N.Z.). His thesis was about the producer-actor relationship, and he set out to get the low-down on the "witchdoctor" effect some directors have on actors—i.e. the "results evident, persuasion and method mysterious" variety.
Back in Wellington after two years crowded with theatre sights and sounds it's no wonder that Mr Webby feels impatient at the restricted and often inappropriate uses this University's theatre is put to. What a shot in the arm Wellington drama would get, if it had a similar set-up of theatre students playing a semi-professional role in the community on a scholarship basis and with the opportunity of acquiring a full range of theatre skills.
The rather sad thing about The Killing of Sister George which is currently showing at Downstage is that it reads far better than it acts. For some reason it was named the best play of the year in London in 1965 though I cannot see why. This personal failure is not the fault of the Downstage production by Dick Johnstone which manages to get laughs from even the feeblest of the feeble jokes that permeate the script. I read the play when it appeared in Esquire some time ago and thought it extremely funny, perhaps all those feeble jokes look better on paper than they sound on the stage. I saw a dismal production of it by
As everyone probably knows the play is about a lesbian (The Archers. Unfortunately the programme's popularity ratings are slipping and the BBC decides the only way to win back listeners is to have a major crisis—the death of Sister George. To pacify George they offer her the title role in the Toddler Time feature Clarabell Cow. This half of the play which more or less provides the framework is great fun; there is plenty of satire on the BBC, audience research methods and so forth.
The other half of the play deals with the personality and life of June Buckridge. As already mentioned she is a lesbian, she also has trouble remembering when she is George the character and when she is herself. She is in love with her flatmate Childe and she thinks of herself as a man, she constantly refers to her days in the armed forces, is always ready for a man to man chat, and collects horse brasses while Childe collects dolls. In addition to all this she treats cooking and housework as sissy, drinks gallons of gin and smokes cigars; she is in fact a caricature of the butch lesbian. This is a major fault of the play—she is too much a caricature and not enough a character in her own right. Everything she does is so extreme that it scarcely seems credible, she is allowed one moment of tenderness and this is a recounting of the past when she first fell in love with Childe. Although this scene is very effective it does not make caricature character—George is flawed admittedly but she is hardly credible.
Paralleling the collapse of George's (she is rarely referred to as June) career is the collapse of her love affair with Childe. The abominations George metes out eventually become too much and Childe agrees to go and live with Mrs Mercy one of the BBC officials. Somewhere along the line one ought to feel a tremendous sympathy for George but apart from the brief scene mentioned above there is none. At the end when George is alone with no job and no lover there should be tremendous compassion for her but because she is so difficult to grasp as a person there is nothing but a relief that Childe has got away from her.
Where
Mrs Mercy as played by
I think producer Downstage this year and conveys the two worlds of Childe and George, one of dolls the other of horse brasses. It is a pity the set is so large, perhaps too large for the size of the theatre.
Despite all that I have said here and the nature of Other reviews of the play I believe it is worth seeing and I believe it is a play and production worthy of considerable discussion.
—Bob Lord.
Some students are unaware that the Ski Club is the largest sports club affiliated to the Students' Association, because skiing is a sport in which everyone can participate, not just watch.
The origins and early history of the V.U.W. Ski Club are largely obscure, but it is known that there was a Club of sorts in existence prior to the Second World War and that members ran trips to Ruapehu, staying in whatever accommodation was available.
The Club became an active University sports club in the early 1950's, due to the efforts of
It is well known, that the Club has a comprehensive building programme under way which involves the doubling in size and complete renovation of the lodge at Ruapehu. At the time of writing, the Contractor is a week ahead of schedule and the shell of the new extension is now complete. Under the contract the work is to be completed by May 10, and there is every indication that this date will be met.
Club members are building the water and septic tanks which should be completed in about three weeks. They will also install the bunks and do and painting necessary. This work is expected to be completed by Queen's Birthday weekend.
The new lodge will be habitable and a going concern by the commencement of the ski season, which is something of an achievement, as the first work party was not held until January 12. Since then, there have been work parties every weekend, with an average of twenty members attending.
Finance presented the greatest stumbling block in getting the work underway. However, enthusiastic fund raising by Club members, an original bank balance of $2,500, and the good offices of the V.U.W. Students' Association, have largely overcome the problem.
The Students' Association is advancing a grant/loan of $7,000 and the $5,000 balance of the funds required has been derived from Club funds on hand, current subscriptions and the sale of debentures.
It is to be pointed out that the Club does not own the lodge. The Students' Association is the owner, the Club merely administering the building on their behalf. It is envisaged because of this that when the Club has cleared its debts, excess funds will revert to the Association.
While Club activities since the latter part of last year have been primarily concerned with the building programme, it has not overlooked its main activity, which is skiing. The Club has programmes designed to cater for all types from the complete novice to the serious racer.
Dry ski classes for beginners and fitness classes for racers are held in conjunction with the University Physical Welfare Officer, Mr.
The Club runs ski trips every weekend through the season and week trips during Study Week and the August holidays. The cost of these trips is kept to a minimum of $8 for a weekend and $20 for a week, prices which include transport, accommodation and food.
The Club is an affiliated member of the New Zealand Ski Association and in keeping with its aims, seeks to raise the standard of skiing by having its members pass the tests as set out by the Technical Committee of the Association. The Club has fully qualified judges, who are capable of administering the junior and intermediate levels of these tests.
The Club is also socially very active. During the academic year several film evenings and illustrated talks are held and the popular Annual Ball. The Ball is to be held in the Student Union Building in June, and, if previous years are any indication, this should be very well attended.
By four points in a 1200 point aggregate Victoria were successful in retaining the Haslem Shield—symbol of University shooting supre.
Shot at the Ashhurst range under almost ideal conditions Victoria took an early lead in the 300 yard event, and although this was steadily reduced by the Canterbury and Massey marksmen at each range thereafter, held on for a meritorious win.
Highlight of the meeting was the performance of Victoria's
Conditions were difficult on this occasion with a tricky rear "fish-tail" wind and Jim, along with Canterbury's Marshall and Otago's Reeve, were the architects of a N.Z.U. victory over the strong Western District team.
Special mention should also be made of Victoria's less experienced riflemen in
Haslam Shield results:—
1. Victoria ... 1085
2. Canterbury ... 1081
3. Massey ... 1077
4. Otago ... 1031
5. Lincoln ... 1007
N.Z.U. Team:—
McKinlay, Williams (Victoria).
Marshall, Hird (Canterbury).
Reeve (Otago).
McLaren, Jepsen, Warrington (Massey).
Coach: Wakefield (Victoria).
A record 16 teams have been entered this season by the University Rugby Club. This is two more than last season and augurs well for the Club's strength.
Ten of these 16 teams have been entered in the junior grades, and are composed of social teams and teams containing players who haven't the time to train.
As always the main interest is centred around our senior teams. There is no lack of young talent and members of last year's under 19 and third grade teams will make their presence felt this year.
Senior coaches and club administrators have devised a strenuous pre-season fitness programme in the hope that it will overcome the plague of unnecessary injuries that occurred last year. This is also an attempt to improve on the relatively poor showing by the three senior teams last year.
The Senior A team will be seeking an improved standing this year but this may be hampered by the lack of big lineout forwards. In the backs players such as
In the forwards the loss of
1.00 p.m.-2.00 p.m. Be Forensic—Go Forum! On Sub Lawn if fine, in C.C.R. if inclement. NOTE: Forum will continue to be held on a Tuesday for the rest of the year.
7.30 p.m. Memorial Theatre. VUW Film Society screening of "Whatever Happened to
On Tuesday evenings French Club are holding French evenings in the Kelburn Park Store—French conversation, records, folk-singing—every fortnight.
8.20 a.m. Quiet Room. Holy Communion is celebrated by the NCC Chaplain during term time. Members of all churches are invited to attend.
1.00 p.m.-2.00 p.m. RB104. Mr.
1.00 p.m. Quiet Room. Christian Science Organisation. Visitors welcome.
8.00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Massey University Drama Club present John Skelton's "Magnificence". Bookings at Stud. Ass. Office—students 40 cents, public 60 cents.
1.00 p.m. Activities Room. This will be a United Service to observe the beginning of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Members of all churches are invited.
1.10 p.m. Music Room, Hunter Building. Weekly music recital sponsored by VUW Music Department. Music by Bach and Monteverdi, performed by
7.30 p.m. H319. Maths and Physics Society. "Satellites, Computers and Forecasting". Illustrated talk by Dr. .
8.00 p.m. Memorial Theatre. Massey University Drama Club present Skelton's "Magnificence". Book at Stud. Ass. Office—tickets 40c for students, 60c for non-students.
7.30 p.m. Memorial Theatre.
VUW Debating Society. Topic: "That God should save the Queen".
10.30 a.m. Memorial Theatre. VUW Film Soc, Western Festival, including Red River, The Gunfighter, Guns in the Afternoon, 3.10 to Yuma, Hombre, Lonely Are The Brave.
1.30 Film Soc. festival continues.
7.45 p.m. Royal Society Rooms, Dominion Museum, Buckle Street. "The contribution of behavioural studies to Zooology" by Dr.
Friday June 7, Sub Ski Club Ball. Supper and refreshments provided. Tickets $7.50.
Friday June 21, Concert Chamber, Town Hall.
Students are reminded that examination entries close with the Registrar on 1st June 1968. Late entries are accepted within three weeks after the ordinary closing date with a late fee of $10.00. Thereafter they may be accepted with the same late fee subject to the approval of the Vice-Chancellor.
During terms 2 and 3 the Sandwich Lunch Bar will be open on Saturdays between 10.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. commencing Saturday May 25.
The Sandwich Lunch Bar will not open on Saturday June 1st.
A sum of money has been found in the vicinity of the S.U.B. Inquiries can be made with the custodian or at the Stud. Ass. Office.
This portfolio was created at an Annual General Meeting of the Students' Association last year.
It was intended that with the creation of such a position, that issues and interests at a national level could be represented at executive level. As with most portfolio positions a subcommittee assists in the preparation of recommendations to executive. Political clubs affiliated to the Students' Association have been approached in regards to representation on this subcommittee and most have taken this opportunity.
The present membership of this committee is seventeen. In addition to being responsible for affairs at a national level the National Affairs Officer is also responsible for liaison with the NZUSA, the Wellington Youth Council and the New Zealand Youth Hostel Organisation.
The National Affairs Committee, after a direction from this year's Annual General Meeting has been responsible in subscribing the Students' Association to membership of the N.Z. Homosexual Law Reform Society. The first positive step in committing the Students' Association after a lot of reluctance by previous executives. The committee is also at present considering a report to the Executive of VUSA on the policy to be followed by the Association in the event of the introduction of conscription. Although at present conscription in this country looks unlikely, it is always an advantage to be prepared.
By a motion from Executive the National Affairs Officer has been instructed to approach candidates in this year's Wellington local bo'dy elections with a view to determining candidate's policy platforms on (1) the cable car, (2) town planning.
(a) A second term teach in on Drugs.
(b) Policy determination about the growing concern in NZ of race relations in this country.
University Day, when Victoria is open to all interested members of the public will be held this year on Tuesday June 11, 1968.
The programme will include some ordinary lectures open to the public; displays, examples of student activity, the gymnasium, and some examples of student sporting clubs. A religious ceremony will be held and Forum will be open to the public.
University Day aims at improving public relations. It is felt that those who arc critical of students, and unsympathetic with universities can gain a clear understanding by actually observing and participating in a normal working day.
The organising committee is set up by V.U.W. Council under the chairmanship of Dr. Culliford. Its membership is composed of representatives from each faculty; from Administration, from the library, and from the Students' Association.
It was decided to extend its time from last year's 9 a.m.-4 p.m. to 9 a.m.-6 p.m. to enable more people working in town to participate.
Invitations to schools within visiting distance, and to prominent people with some connection with the university, as well as widespread should ensure that the day is drawn to the public's attention.
Last year's venture, the first was considered a success, an estimated 4,000 people took advantage of this opportunity. It is hoped the day can be a similar success this year.
To make this possible the help of many students is required. Ushers, guides, people for information booths are required. All students who can give an hour or more of their time on Tuesday June 11 are urged to do so, and to leave their names in the Students' Association office as soon as possible.
Sports
The Sports Depot
(Witcombe & Caldwell)
Half-way along Willis St.
Long-standing connection with University sport. Every one of Vic's 24 sports catered for.
Suit Hire
•
Ralph Wilkins
Corner Manners and Farish Streets
For Flowers ...
Waughs Flower Shoppe Ltd.
5 Bowen Street
Tel. 40-797
(After Hours 44-068)
Hotel St. George
The "Seven Seas Bar"
Best In New Zealand
• Nearest to University.
• Modern, comfortable surroundings.
• Cool, bright, fresh beer on tap always.
• Food available from our "Food Bar", 11.45 a.m. to 2.30 p.m.
• Mixed drinking—all facilities.
Entrees, Cold Buffet, Vegetables, Hot Pies
Victuallers
Reginald Collins Ltd.
Wholesale wine and spirit people. Vintners to the Students' Association. Carry stocks of all brands of ale, spirits, table wine (from 55c), sherry in flagons ($1.60) or quart bottles.
Free delivery—Cellars located at No. 3 Ballance Street
(Customhouse Quay and)
Coffee
" The Park"
is situated opposite the fountain in Kelburn Park, 200ft. from the Varsity.
Open every Wednesday and Sunday from 6 p.m.
•
Hosts : Rachel and
Original Oils Hand-Made Prints
Specialised Advice on Custom Framing
Souvenirs - Gifts at Gallery 116
Le Normandie Arcade
116 Cuba Street
For Quality Meat
call
Upland Road Butchers
86 Upland Road Kelburn
Margaret O'Connor Studio
Private Tuition Daily
Begginners only every Monday, 7—10.30 p.m.
Admission 50c
58 Lower Cuba Street
Telephone 45-818
James Soteros
New Hairdressing Salon
•
47 Farish Street And 23 Manners Street
For All Student Styles
Universing Open Day Eleventh June
Barry & Sargent Ltd.
Opticians
118 Willis St. - Tel. 45-841
Daysh Renouf & CO.
Members Wellington Stock Exchange
National Mutual Centre
Featherston Street
Tel. 70-169
Quote from NZBC interview on U.S.-North Vietnam talks in Paris: "Yes, I think the talks will be successful but it will be a long road to hoe."
* * *
Alister Taylor's in the money again, even after his blast-off against all his friends in the COV last Salient. A cool $4000 was left over after the Peace, Power and Politics conference and the question is whom the money belongs to. Alister doesn't think the money really belongs to the COV—and he was, you remember, not just organiser, but chairman of the PPP conference. So perhaps attacking the COV could have been a tactical move ... perhaps we need another anti-war organisation with, say, $4000 in its kitty.
* * *
This column seems to be emanating too many innuendoes lately. Thai's what we thought, anyway, when we saw the Pol. Sci. Society more-in-sorrow-than-anger rebuttal of our libellous scandalmongering. Who said all this, we thought—surely not us? And we checked back and, sure enough, we hadn't We didn't say there was only one brand of wine at Pol. Sci. Soc's notorious wine and cheese evening. We didn't accuse Pol. Sci. Soc. of partiality. We didn't say the function had made a profit The Pol. Sci. Soc. just read all this into our Column—guilty conscience, perhaps?
* * *
New issue of the Labour monthly New Zealand Stateman shows the paper going downhill—only four pictures of Kirk this week, a grave under-fulfilment of the Paper's Norm.
* * *
Whatever is happening to Forum now? First Tuesday, then Wednesday, then back to Tuesday again. It's one way to ensure a strictly random collection of speakers, I suppose.
Pictures:
At least 200 students met at the Taj Mahal, where only last year students clashed with police and many spent some time in jail. To pay homage to the police force banner proclaimed "We love Cops" and "Police are human". The marchers moved off through the city, gathering supporters and enthusiasm. At each junction students staged a brief "sit-in'.
The Police are reported to have been amused.
"Good Clean Fun" was WNTV-1's description of the Capping Week Support the Police demonstration. If it was meant to antagonize the police it failed; if meant to amuse the public it succeeded. Police kept a wary eye on students, but seemed determined to remain
Stories:
The Minister of Labour, Mr Shand, judged the Procesh floats. First prize of $100 went to an incontinent camel, built by
Other notable floats included a 50-legged dragon, which raised understandable excitement in the crowd with its carbon-dioxide breathing fumes.
Floats depicted the Wahine tragedy, student accommodation, drinking hours, the characteristic insufficiency of Government departments, the Hannah Playhouse, Bonnie and Clyde, and peanut butler.