STUDENTS’ DINNER SHORTEST SESSION

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30482, 2 July 1964, Page 9

STUDENTS’ DINNER SHORTEST SESSION

Without the benefit of translations, the International Student Conference got through a four-course New Zealand dinner and 10 speeches in English, French and Spanish in three hours. It was the shortest and most enjoyable session. Although efforts to offer toheroa soup, kumaras, and other New Zealand delicacies did not succeed, the delegates had soup, sole or venison, lamb or chicken, and apple pie or fruit salad all produced in Canterbury. New Zealand red and white wines were also served. Visitors were interested in the “national” fare and in the temperature at which it was served. There were about 250 at long tables in the Brevet Club—delegates, the secretariat, interpreters, backroom clerks, supervising technicians of the translation equipment and representatives of the New Zealand and Canterbury university students’ associations. It was the most colourful event of the conference because many visiting delegates, who wore Western clothes for the meetings, came in national dress. Every speaker admitted that the conference had at times been tedious but all also agreed that it was the most important held by the organisation. Mr W. Wakelin, president

of the Canterbury University Students’ Association, said that greater understanding had been obtained of world problems in New Zealand’s sheltered atmosphere. A Paraguayan delegate replied in Spanish to this toast to the delegates, but used English to regret the absence of night-clubs. A Danish delegate thanked the New Zealand Students’ Association, and the president (Mr M. Moriaty) said the only fault of the conference was that it had not been held in the spring or summer. A delegate from the Lebanon (which was- a notorious raiser of points of order) proposed the toast of the secretariat in. French against a barrage of points of order, and Mr Gwyn Morgan (Wales) replied'.

A Nigerian delegate praised the conference itself. “By our wonderful new charter,” said this tall member, “we know what we believe, where we are, and where we are going.”

The conference secretary (Mr J. S. Singh) spoke for all when he . said participation was an experience which would remain with delegates from all over the world all their lives.

The greatest ovation of the evening was for Mr N. D. Thomson, who directed all Christchurch arrangements for the conference.