Friends, Chinese & University Men

Sir,—I am an overseas Chinese student from Singapore doing Civil Engineering at the University of Sydney. I am also doing a part-time Arts Course in view of taking Law later on. I am very keen on people from other foreign countries, their ways of life, their customs and their local situations at the present time, in view of all my keen interests. I would be very glad if you could help me to get to know some boys and girls of my age who are willing to correspond with me in view of exchanging views and ideas to improve each others' general knowledge. I am just 20 years of age. I would also very much like to get to know boys and girls who are Chinese living or settling in your honourable country.

If at all possible, I would prefer to correspond with your local University undergraduates, as I am an University boy myself. Kindly also tell those who would be writing to me to send me a photo of their honourable self, I shall be sending one of myself as soon as I hear from any of them.

My hobbles are: Swimming, Camping, Hiking, Hunting and Correspondences with foreigners. So much for the moment, and thanking you in your most sincere anticipation. Hoping to hear from them in the near future.

"Parting Shots" Blasted

Sir,—During the past few years Victoria students have been informed of various criticisms of and comments about the Student Executive through the columns of "Salient." Throughout this period "Salient" has maintained that its object has been to present to the Student Body an unbiased and informed, objective view of Executive affairs. Despite this constantly reaffirmed intention, "Salient" has carried out its criticism in the sensational and back-biting manner of the worst of the daily rags.

The Writer is well aware that the Executive has not been completely perfect in its operation however, the Writer is also aware, certainly more fully aware than "Salient", of the amount of time required by and the difficult nature of the Executive's functions in this University.

The particular article which has provoked this outburst from the Writer is that which appeared in the Monday, February 22 issue under the heading of "Parting Shots" and signed by "C.McB." the retiring "Salient" Executive reporter.

I have no hesitation in saying that in my opinion this is possibly the rudest and most juvenile article I have ever seen in "Salient" and that if the writer of the article knew of the vast amount of time and personal sacrifice devoted to his task by the previous holder of the Presidential Office (David Wilson) it would never have been written.

On behalf of Mr Wilson and his large number of appreciative friends amongst the Student Body, and also on behalf of the other persons subjected to C.McB's libellous pen in the article referred to, I would sugest that the least "Salient" can do is to feature on the front page of the next issue an apology for this uninformed and extremely rude article.

The Editor replies—

The writer makes a few points. But most impressive was his complete absorbtion with what "I" the "Writer" would do. Note the capital "W." Note also the small "w" for retiring reporter C.McB.

Love Is A Many Splendid Thing

Sir,—I read with interest your article on the survey of attitudes towards love and marriage among a group of Japanese University students and I would suggest that this survey is a sound and authoritative indication of their opinion. Sir, the letter-head of your publication reads "Salient," "An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University Wellington." "Tadpole's" views on sex and his dissertion on the looseness of his lover's lipstick fails to stimulate my intellectual capacity; in such matters I desire a more widely represented opinion.

However, my intention is not to criticise, my intention is to suggest. My suggestion is a simple one: That As Your Publication Is An Organ Of Student Opinion At Victoria It Should Engage Itself In A Survey Of The Attitudes Of The Students At This University Towards Such Matters As Love Marriage And Pre-Marital "What Dad Said Not To Do." I am confident that such a survey will be of interest to all and the issue in which you publish the "findings" will be purchased eagerly.

Such a survey will have its organisational difficulties and I urge that if it be done at all it should be done well. If it is done well you will gain the co-operation of the students and the results will be of value. No doubt the Department of Psychology would be willing to assist in the decision as to the form and nature of the survey and also in the statistical work. I am sure, sir, that your effort would be rewarded.

And what about a comparison with other New Zealand Universities?

We print this in fear and trembling, hoping that Mr Kinsey's wife, if indeed he has one, will not come across this issue of widely circulating "Salient." But we do like the plan of action. Why doesn't the author make himself known—then we could tell him some of our own ideas on the subject?

Dust To Dust

Sir.—The apathy, indifference and lack of moral consciousness of the ordinary New Zealand student toward the H-bomb problem appals me. He is smug in his little welfare state on the rim of the Pacific, and does not like to be roused and made to think and take action on this, on any other issue. I thought New Zealanders were more politically conscious than most, but have reached the depressing conclusion that they are politically unconscious. This indifference arises from the prevalent attitude that we are too small a country and too far away from the centre to have the bomb land on us, and anyway what can wo about it?

We can make our government protest vigorously in the United Nations, and stop it entering into military collusions which could lead to our use of the bomb or atomic weapons. But most of you reading this will still be saying, what does it matter? This is the foundation of your indifference and probable lack of moral strength.

Perhaps I could bring it home to you personally by quoting from an issue of "The New Statesman." From an article by Editor Morris called "The Survivors of the Bombs."

"To another survivor, the student Hiromasa Hiyume, death from radiation exposure came very gradually. Throughout his young life Hiromasa had suffered from spells of mental instability, coupled with partial deafness, yet had managed to complete his schooling with a brilliant record. A month before his final college examinations, overwork brought on a recurrence; his lymphatic glands swelled up, blood oozed from his eyes and mouth and he raved wildly about the fire and deafening noise of the atomic explosion. Before his death he wrote in his diary the most damning question that a young person can ask an adult, irresponsible world. 'Why must I die? What have I done to deserve to die so very young?' "

Your immediate reaction is to reassure yourself that this could not happen to you. But in opposition to this self-assuring opinion. I tell you it might, and it could happen to you.

Therefore the way is open for as many of us as are rationally and morally conscious, to use our influence both corporately as a society for nuclear disarmament and individually, thereby bringing the weight of increasing public opinion to bear on our government, so that they will take vigorous political action. On the other hand if you do not strive for the abolition of this terrifying instrument of destruction, you will by your very passivity, be saying "yes" to the Hydrogen Holocaust.

Yours, etc.,

For Nuclear

Disarmament.