page 8

Cosec . . .

O'Brien Back From Istanbul Conference

As students interested in the International front will know, N.Z.U.S.A. last December appointed Messrs. M. J. O'Brien, LL.B. (President of N.Z.U.S.A.) and J. D. Dalgety, LL.B., as observers to the 4th International Student Conference of the International Co-ordinating Secretariat of National Unions of Students, held in Istanbul during the long vacation last year.

Cosec (as the organisation is called for shortness) very generously stood the expense of the return air fare of Mr. O'Brien.

Mr. O'Brien, who returned by Solent last Wednesday, gave a very interesting account of his experiences the following night, aided by Mr. Dalgety. The occasion was an informal meeting of the V.U.C.S.A. executive. We hope to be able to publish some of the more interesting portions of this talk next issue. Mr. O'Brien will table his report on the conference at the Easter Council meeting of N.Z.U.S.A. Mr. Dalgety also gained several important facts on student health schemes in operation in Universities in Britain. Switzerland and the United States. His report will also be tabled at Easter Council.

Among some of the significant problems of students which were discussed at the conference, the following appear: student accommodation fact-finding questionnaire; a recommendation that national unions work for the establishment of reference rooms, co-operative bookshops and printing offices; student health (Cosec was asked to co-operate with W.U.S. in its study of the problems of nutrition in the African University community, and found that it was desirable that a report be undertaken, based on a detailed questionnaire on student health as a reflection on their living conditions); exiled students (conference recommended that the Secretariat enter into negotiations . . . for the founding of an international fund for exiled students: and asked W.U.S. to look into the matter of assistance for students of South America who have been exiled for political reasons); the role of students in society; student influence on university administration; survey of the structure and functions of National Unions of Students.

—B. Shaw