Censorship!

Exec. Passes Motion

On Wednesday, April 16th, a resolution of the V.U.W. Student Union deprived the students of this university of the right of freedom of information and the right of freedom of expression in "Salient."

The resolution was to put into effect an existing constitutional provision providing for censorship. This constitutional power has been exercised on only one or two occasions in the past. In future students will be unable to air grievances through the columns of this paper without the prior approval of the official censor or his nominee. No longer are students of this university assured of a genuine organ of student opinion; for in being subject to censorship "Salient" loses its integrity and autonomy and becomes a mere mouthpiece of the Executive.

An example of this censorship in practise is the Executive rulling forbidding the publication in Salient of any correspondence concerning the cafeteria. Such letters may be referred only to the Executive. One can hazard a guess to their fate, when it is recalled that a resolution calling for the presentation of a petition to the Prime Minister, which was passed by an almost unanimous vote of the Students Association in 1957, was in no way acted upon.

The editor wishes to point out that any censorship of student papers—a practice usually confined to Communist nations and South American dictatorships—is contrary to the objects of the New Zealand University Student Press Council. Section 3 (d) of the constitution states that "The objects of the Council shall be to promote and maintain the freedom of the New Zealand Student Press from external pressures."

"Salient" believes that the freedom of expression and the free interchange of information and opinions, both in the national and international spheres, are fundamental human rights and essential in the cause of democracy and peace for the achievement of political, social, cultural and economic progress; that in order to achieve the aims of a free society and thereby to promote democratic institutions the media of information should be free from pressure or dictation.

"Salient" requests that readers express their disapproval of the imposition of censorship by writing to those concerned and also that they should express their support for the noble aims of the N.Z.U.S. Press Council.

If any students feel any dissatisfaction with the quality of "Salient" they are free to write in and express their views.

"Salient" also wishes to point out that the decision to publish an apology was passed by only five votes to four, with two abstentions, and it is not necessarily in accordance with the views of "Salient" staff.