AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS' PAPER Vo 1. XXIV, No. 5 TUESDAY, 12th JULY, 1960 Price 3d. Find Yourself a Cause, Rebel The New Zealand student’s preoccupation with current events in other countries is all too Pro-Chancellor well known, and all too easily explained. When the political ideal of each New Zealand party is to be just like the other, when governments can scheme with Oppositions not to bring up contro­ versial issues for fear of embarrassment, when party leaders can plead lack of education as a Receives worthy qualification for governing, and when standards of thought and debate are set by the level of small talk at a Ju-Nat social — occasions which seem to be the leading events in the Knighthood political calendar — it is easy to justify a blind eye on the grounds of intellectual integrity and Among those honoured by then retire to a wistful reading, in the '‘Herald,” of the latest news from Turkey or Japan. the Queen last month was the To become involved in politics in New Zealand is to attempt rive considerable satisfaction from Pro-Chancellor of the Univer­ the hopelessness of their cause,. sity of Auckland, Sir Douglas to swim, naked, through a mill-pond of thick, green slime. Other Reality, however, must triumph over Robb (or to give him his full than for what little satisfaction a megalomanic could derive from anti-semitism. The Labour Party is being Prime Minister in New Zealand, it is not even clear that the only possible party for anyone title, Sir Douglas Robb, K.B., who has genuine radical ideas and de­ C.M.G., B Sc., M.D., Ch.M., F.R. there is a reasonable motive for making the effort. C.S., F.R.A.C.S.). As Utopias go, New Zealand Sir Douglas, who is at present on is not too bad. It is, after all a three-month tour of Britain and the only country in the Western Africa under the Sims Common­ world to be completely without wealth Travelling Professorship, is a leading figure in the medical world. unemployment since 1939, and He is senior surgeon in charge of anyway, if you do lose your job thoracic and cardiac surgery at Green there’s always Social Security. Lane Hospital, and last month be­ came President-elect of the British The Labour government years ago Medical Association, being the first brought the country insurance against New Zealander to hold this office. poverty, sickness, old age — every unhappy circumstance which might Sir Douglas, who has been on the arise. It is true you can’t always buy everything in the shops, but the University Council since 1938, was government’s going to change in the elected by the graduates. He is him­ next few months anyway. All that’s self a graduate of the University of needed for New Zealand is a good, Otago. solid government, with its feet firm­ ly on the ground, capable of running what we’ve got, and there are already two parties admirably suited to do this, with a third we can vote for if we get bored with the others. People who can think should think, and people who can govern should gov­ ern. The 60,000 Dollar Question People who can think, however, cannot avoid thinking about the Ju-Nat. Social.” structure of their own society, and must at least ask the question, is it perfect? Is the great calm of New ing in the wilderness, and hope that, sires to put them into practice. The Zealand politics the result of a sit­ if he cries long enough, someone, any­ drawbacks are obvious: there is little uation about which there is nothing one, will hear him. to compare with an inside knowledge more to do ? Does the fact that Ideas are only justified by results; of the workings of the party, and of there doesn’t seem to be any great if there is any genuine desire to the type of opinion found there, to demand for an extension of Labour’s change things there is only one de­ convince one that this direction, too, pre-war radicalism, mean that it has spairing course to take, and even that is hopeless. Yet Labour has a radi­ finished its job? Was what the is of such uncertain value that it has cal past, and even if there is now Labour Government did, the right the appearance of being as hopeless little to distinguish it from the Nat­ — By courtesy Auckland Star answer to the problems of 1935? Was as the others. One should join the ional Party, this fact must be ack­ it any answer at all? Labour Party. nowledged. It is usually wrong to reason backward in politics and sug­ SIR DOUGLAS ROBB But once the questions are asked, gest that a party, once radical, could and even answered, they are still no Reform and Revolution become so again—the example of the • For those who can’t tell a Pro- nearer being brought to the surface The choice is based on a knowledge 1931 coalition between the Conserva­ from a Vice-: The Chancellor is the of New Zealand practical politics. of history and an awareness of politi­ tive Reform party, and the “Liberal” The student ivory tower is notoriously cal realities. Other than by revolu­ United Party shows what has hap­ chairman of the University Council, remote from the world in which it is tion, the only way to get things done pened in the past to New Zealand which is like the Board of Governors built. Assuming there are answers, is through Parliament. Anyone who radical parties. of a school. Its members, apart from the real problem that faces the New erected barricades in Queen Street the Professorial Board representa­ Zealand radical is what to do with would probably not receive more than Hope for Racialism them. a passing glance from shoppers, and tives, are not usually people who are would certainly be ignored by a pre­ There must be cause for hope. intimately connected with things There are several possibilities. If occupied Queen Street Businessman’s Toynbee says European civilisation academic, but are rather men and the answers arrived at are of a suit­ Association. The Communist Party can revive itself, perhaps the New able kind, one could join the Commun­ women who are interested in the candidates invariably lose their de­ Zealand Labour Party can do so too. ist Party, the only true radical party posits in the New Zealand elections, One thing is certain: without a mem­ University and are prepared to de­ in New Zealand now. Again, if the and the only joy it would be possible bership from people who are prepared, vote some of their time to running ideas suit the party there is the to derive from membership would be to think constructively, and act to its affairs. The Pro-Chancellor is Social Credit League, which contests the knowledge that nothing, certainly a full ticket at national elections. The give thoughts of reality, it will never the Chancellor’s second-in-command. not public pressure, could sway rat­ National Party, due to become the ionally derived radical opinions. change. It is now dangerously close Both these officers are elected by government at the end of the year, to the position of the Liberal Party the Council from among its members. and the Labour Party, due to become The Social Credit League is in pre- in 1931. It is the only hope for The Vice-Chancellor is like the head­ become the Opposition at the same icesly the same category, although time are the other alternatives. There its membership is somewhat differ­ radicalism in New Zealand, and as master of a school; his job is a full­ is one choice, which is really no ent. The elderly gentlemen who con­ such should not be allowed to rot time one, and he is a member of the choice at all: the intellectual can re­ trol the League, motivated by good away. Council ex officio. gard his position as that of one cry­ Christian principles, appear to de­ J. M. ORBELL, Page 2 CRACCUM Tuesday, 12th July, 1960 Tuesdcr EXEC. NOTES CRACCUM ARI The views expressed in this paper are not necessarily those ot the NEW EXEC. LEARNS THE ROPES A.U.S.A. Cl EXEC. NOTES — Monday, 20th June Representative Blazers First meeting of the new Executive. A motion was moved by Mr Rankin, Unfortunately neither of the Sports With al Chairman, M.H.C. and seconded by been havir EDITOR: Felicity Maidment Reps were able to attend as Miss Miss Davis, Chairman, W.H.C. that Long was in hospital and Miss El­ comforts UNIVERSITY NEWS: Terry Power OVERSEAS NEWS: Owen Gager members of the 1959-60 M.H.C. be really sho1 liot was teaching at Waihi. Mr given the right to wear Represent­ Strevens presented all new Execu­ rain in the LITERARY AND ARTS: John Seymour SPORT: Lindsay Nash ative blazers bearing the initials ices flappi: tive members with their badges and “W.H.C.” and “M.H.C.” This motion congrulated them upon their election. way skirti; ADVERTISING: Ruth Baird DISTRIBUTION: Judith Lessing created a great deal of discussion ful of pu but was finally carried. However it hundreds £ ILLUSTRATIONS: Ross Armstrong BUSINESS: Jolyon Firth Thanks to Past Members will be seen from Exec Notes, 27th new lectu: The President was instructed to FILES: Pat Rosier SECRETARY: Christine Davis June that it was rescinded and an­ their way. write to the Retiring Members of the other put in its place.