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Salient: Victoria University Students' Paper. Vol. 29, No. 8. 1966.

Holyoake's LL.D

Holyoake's LL.D

The University's decision to award an honorary degree to the Rt. Hon. K. J. Holyoake has all the trappings of a cheap political gimmick.

It must have been a singularly short-witted council which could not see the ridiculous nature of such an award at the present time.

Mr. Holyoake is fortunate that his degree was not presented at the annual graduation ceremony. The silence from the audience as he walked forward to collect it would have been stunning.

For students have not forgotten—even though it seems that the university has—that just one year ago at the graduation ceremony the Chancellor of this university bitterly attacked the government's policy towards universities.

Nor have students forgotten the contempt with which Mr. Holyoake treated student protests at that time.

Throughout this university, students are dismayed at this honorary award. Conservative, radical—these political tags have nothing to do with their objections.

Indeed, some of the most outspoken students have been members of Mr. Holyoake's own party.

The university administration has goofed. There's nothing that can now be done about this award.

But it must be made abundantly clear to the university that their act has debased the standing of this university and debased the award of honorary degrees.

To award a politician an honorary degree when he is still in office and months away from fighting an election is a political act that is both dangerous and foolhardy.

H.B.R.