Professor Replaced As Editor

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30481, 1 July 1964, Page 16

Professor Replaced As Editor

Professor H. Winston Rhodes, associate professor of English at the University of Canterbury, has been replaced as editor of the “New Zealand Monthly Review”—a journal of serious comment on economics, politics, literature, and the arts. Professor Rhodes has been succeeded by Mr Owen Gager, aged under 30, a post-gradu-ate student at the university. Mr Gager, a master of arts, is writing a thesis for a doctorate in political science. The change was made at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Monthly Review Society, Incorporated, in Christchurch last Friday. About 28 members of the society attended, including a substantial number of members of the New Left Club of the University of Canterbury. Committee Deposed

As a result of the voting, the old committee of the .society was deposed, with the exception of the chairman, Mr F. L. Langley, and the secretary, Mr W. Rosenberg. Mr Langley is a trade union secretary and a member of the national executive of the Federation of Labour. Mr Rosenberg is reader in’ economics at the University of Canterbury. Mr Gager was a delegate for North Shore at the annual conference of the Labour Party this year.. Professor Rhodes had been editor of the “New Zealand Monthly Review” since its inception in 1960.

Some members of the society met on Monday, among them several of the former committee. It is intended to call a special general meeting of the society (as provided for, if requisitioned by 10 or more financial members of the society) to thresh out what occurred at the annual meeting. Extensive Circulation

The society’s journal now has a circulation of some thousands, and goes overseas, as well as to readers from Auckland to Bluff. The journal, printed at the Caxton Press, is sold for 2s 6d an issue, and is showing s credit The society, a non-profit-making venture, has a credit balance of about £l5OO Mr Langley declined to comment last evening, saying that he would answer any report “from the other side” after it had appeared. Professor Rhodes, asked to comment said he had absolutely nothing to say. “I refer you to the chairman, Mr Langley,” he added. Mr Rosenberg said it was a very simple matter. Professor Rhodes was still editor.

Asked whether the new committee had, in fact, appointed Mr Gager as editor, Mr Rosenberg replied: “Yes, but it is a simple matter, you know. A very small crowd attended and voted themselves in. Fortunately, our solicitor, Mr Alpers, was present. At least 10 matters were illegal Another meeting is to be called.”