John Child

No recent student function has caused so great a stir as the speech of John Child to the Otago University Students' Welcome Ceremony, last year. In contrast to the solidarity shown by the Auckland students during their row with the council the prevailing attitude at Otago was one of general apathy. Not only did the executive fail to give John Child the support that a president might expect, but they later dissociated themselves entirely from his action Salient could do little better than to give full, publicity and comments on the situation.

The following is reprinted from the issue of April 23. last year—

"It is a poor comment on the status of the OUSA when it is completely superseded in the democratic privilege of passing judgment on its own elected representative. Furthermore, it is unfortunate that the Executive of the OUSA should take such a gutless, apologetic attitude, smacking of the proverbial small boy who has broken a window. They have in fact, apparently deserted their own President.

* * *

"John Child expressed certain immoral views. i.e., views inimical to the moral glasshouse of upright citizens and students. That these views were couched in such obviously ironic context has been overlooked by some, by others seen, but deplored as untimely or tactless, and by some accepted in a wholesome gulp, digested and excreted.

* * *

"We suggest that the Executive of the OUSA take a more positive altitude towards the Council decisions, and that it maintain its democratic rights to manage its own affairs without peremptory, dictatorial usurpation by the College Council."