Robeson Sings to Prague Students

In severing connection with the International Union of Students, the N.Z. University Students' Association has cut the students of this country off from the mainstream of the world student movement. IUS bulletins breathe all the vigour they always did. Their enthusiasm makes the New Zealand reader very conscious of the backwater he has condemned himself to.

At the end of May, in the course of a journey round the world, the great American singer Paul Robeson visited Prague, the headquarters of IUS. Their Information circular of June 2 describes the great interest he displayed in the student movement.

At a reception given the celebrity by IUS, Robeson sang a selection of his famous songs, including "Old Man River". "Water Boy", "Joe Hill" and "Love Will Find Out the Way". Members of the Czech National Union of Students and the Czech Union of Youth present were hearty in their applause.

"I have just finished a long tour, and am about to return to the United States to what must be for a king time still a sharp struggle," he said.

"The situation in America today is close to 1981 Germany, because a small minority of the American people see their only chance in a revival of fascism.

"It is a wonderful thing to see students and young people from all parts of the world. One talks often about democracy, but it is really wonderful to see the unity of all human beings in front of me today,

"You prove today that human differences based on colour, on East and West, are nonsens—we are all dedicated to building a free life for the peoples, not for the few but the millions . . .

"I am only here for a few days, but I am sure that I shall see you all again in your own lands. As an artist I give you all I can in the great task of fighting for the rights of the underdogs, and to ensure that all children can grow up in a rich and full life . . .

"There are times when there is no longer a moment for hesitation. I have seen fascism at work in Spain. I have seen how it used tremendous force, but couldn't beat down the Czech people."

Then Robeson gave the proceeds of a special Sunday afternoon concert, and a fee forced on him from a previous concert in Prague, to the IUS, to help bring colonial students to the WFDY festival in Prague in August.

When a man of that calibre can [unclear: come] across with money to assist [unclear: whose] who would otherwise have to stay behind, don't you feel that our small contribution towards our dele-gates expenses was a paltry sacrifice?