CHAIRMAN

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31360, 4 May 1967, Page 3

CHAIRMAN

New Zealand involvement in Vietnam, Radio Hauraki, the Wool Commission, the economy, and a stateowned stud came under fire in the annual university students’ “Procesh” yesterday morning. It was probably the longest “Procesh” held in Christchurch, and it contained some stinging satire.

Although not often hilariously funny “Procesh” covered a range and there was little lavatory humour. Many floats had taken much preparation and there were telling quips on the floats. One said, “Inflation’s a Curse but Holyoake’s Worse,’’ another, “Ban Decimal Carnage, L.S.D. For Ever.” The spectators were encouraged to “Fly L.B.J. Airways to Warzone.” The sign, “War is a Many Splendoured Thing,” summed up the feeling of the Vietnam floats, and two groups walked about with banners declaring that “Muldoon’s Day is Nigh.” Crowds of corsetted, py-jama-clad bowler-hatted and painted students accompanied the procession collecting for charity. Several bands and orchestras, including the Otago Capping Band, blared music while the Haka Party and chorus of girls swept clear the streets before the procession. BEST FLOATS Among the best floats were: A New Zealand manufacturers’ exhibit of a complicated machine that did nothing very slowly, and broke down before “Procesh” was completed. Its breakdown was no surprise. “Reuter Pirate News,” a large and ancient printing press which produced “The Dross” and “Blah.” It called itself “The Government Expergatur.” A crowd of Red Guards wearing red arm bands and singing anthems for Chairman Keith (shown in photograph). The leader called it a “revolutionary party.” One of several floats on Japanese fishing in New Zealand waters which carried the sign “Should Housewives Accept Rising Kosts.” A huge papier-mache figure of the Prime Minister force bottle-feeding the New Zealand economy. It said “Bitters Now, Wines Later.” A papier-mache student body broken in half by a rock (“Lifting Subsidies”) rising from underneath, while a blackbird “Keith” flew over him. A giant puppet of Mr T. E. Skinner shown manipulating a much smaller puppet of “Kirk the Jirk” with the instruction “Follow Our Leader.” Sir Francis Chickenchesta sailing very slowly in “Gypsy Myrth,” also called “Tipsy Moth” spon-

sored by Tokyo Fishing Co. Two floats on the New Zealand artillery battery in Vietnam, both with guns drooping at the muzzle. One was “Sorry L.B.J. Can’t Be Here Today” while the other considered “Now War is Cheaper, Cheaper, Cheaper.” A public wool auction with the Wool Commission doing all the bidding. It was called “Kiwi Keith and his Bullswool Commission.” Among the subjects of other floats were birth control and homosexuality. “Miss University” The procession was led by “Miss University 67” in a sleek, white convertible. Further back “Batman” no doubt fulfilled the role of “Mr University 67.” Suggestions were made on mayoral cars and the drive to cut Government spending produced a baby Austin to act as police car. Perhaps the most cutting comment on the economy was the “1968 Model,” a bicycle mounted in solitary splendour on the tray of a truck. The suggested State-owned stud produced a “beauty” draped on a camp bed and an exceedingly docile horse which appeared to enjoy its outing. The crowd was left to deduce which animal was to be State-owned. The floats were Inspected b. the acting proctor (Dr. G. V. Orange), the deputy proctor (Dr. D. G. Elms) and Mr M. B. Douglas, of Lincoln, Master of Halls. Dr. Orange said several slogans had been removed from floats but no float had been censored. “It was a good ‘Procesh’ but not as good as some I have seen,” he said. “There was not one float you could call outstanding."