STUDENTS’ CONGRESS

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26026, 1 February 1950, Page 3

STUDENTS’ CONGRESS

PRESIDENT OUTLINES PROGRAMME

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, January 31. Concern that a false impression of the scope of the second New Zealand University students’ congress might have been created by resolutions to which publicity was given was expressed to-day by Mr Bruce Miller, president of the New Zealand University Students’ Association. The resolutions reported referred to conscription and to Communists on University staffs, Mr Miller said.

It was understandable that this impression could be created when so many of the subjects discussed were not of immediate interest to the public as a whole. The students heard outstanding lectures on a wide variety of topics which were discussed in formal sessions and in informal groups. Centred on the theme of modern trends, lectures were given by eminent speakers from the University and public life on subjects ranging through arts, philosophy, science and sociology. For 10 days the students and speakers lived together in a community which gave full scope to a free exchange of ideas. ‘‘There was a spirit abroad which approached that wnich we would expect from an ideal university,” continued Mr Miller. “Emphasis was not exclusively upon intellectual matters. Plenty of time was' set aside for recreation and it was fully used by all present.”

The Rev. M. G. Sullivan, Warden of College House, Christchurch, controlled the congress on behalf of the New Zealand University .Students’ Association, and he was assisted by a steering committee of representatives from each college.