STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 98, 27 April 1932, Page 8

STUDENT ACTIVITIES

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—la Saturday's "P.ost", there 'appeared a report- of Some remarks made byg Professor- W. H. Gould, under the above caption. •

T shall be giateful" if you will afford me sufficient space in which to reply to the Professor's statements. He implies that the standard of behaviour during the recent inter-Varsity tournament was' unworthy of the students, and that a repetition will not be tolerated. He goes on to say that "the Professorial Board of Victoria University College is seriou.% considering whether it will permit the college to be officially associated with any future tournament."

I should like to make it clear at the outset that I claim to represent student opinion more truly than either the Pro-

fessorial Board or the Students' Association can do, my qualifications being active participation in student activities during the last five years, including a term of nearly two years as vice-president of the executive of the Students' Association at Victoria University College. I have attended five tournaments in various centres, and the behaviour during the last compares favourably jwith that during any of the others. In fact, the behaviour of both students and others interested in the last tournament was much better thau it was during the previous tournament held in Wellington, in 1928, and to the best of my knowledge there were no protests made then.

I understand that much .of the criticism is levelled because of the behaviour of certain of those who attended the tournament ball in the Masonic Hall. I.have to admit that jthere were a few who indulged in most unseemly and disgusting behaviour, and in much strong drink in motor-cars outside the hall. I did not see two people in the hall who were intoxicated, and I very much doubt whether any one else-did.' The. conduct of those few, who may not even have been students'for all I know, was disgraceful, aud I would be the last to defend it, but in justice to the .big majority of those present, I must point out that they were a very, very small minority. I much regret, that the Rev. R. J. Howie found it necessary to deliver such a scathing indictment from his pulpit. As he is a man for whom I have the greatest admiration and respect, I regret that he was_ evidently unaware of the fact that the objects of his scorn were but few, and in justice to the remainder of the students and others present at the ball, I write to stress the point that they are just as annoyed and disgusted as either the Rev. Mr. Howie or the Professorial Board: are, probably more" bo, because they have been.badly "let down"':by persons of whose identity they were unaware, and-over whom they have 'consequently no redress. '■■'■■■

I trust, Sir, that you will accord my remarks the same publicity as you gave to the other side of the case.—l am, etc.,

H. J. BISHOP.