THE R.S.A. AND THE UNIVERSITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24336, 28 June 1940, Page 5

THE R.S.A. AND THE UNIVERSITY

ro THE EDITOR Sir, —“ Subversive activities ” are an offence against the law of the land, whereas 1 doubt if the words are mentioned in the statutes of the University i of Otago. Let the Returned Soldiers’ I Association present its accusations and evidence, to the civil authorities, father than try to bully the University into trying cases on which apparently even magistrates seem to require to reserve their decisions for consideration. The University authorities naturally resent outside interference in their own affairs; but I have no doubt that they would show no hesitation in dismissing any lecturer or other person holding office in the University if such a person were convicted as a criminal by a civil court. —I am, etc., June 26. Graduate. TO THE EDITOR Sir,—l would like to thank “9/452” tor coming to my assistance, whether intentionally or not, by expressing views which 1 am sure are held by a large section of less vocal and more balanced members of the Returned Soldiers’ Association. Unfortunately, the vocal minority is alwrys likely to sway public opinion, and should be counteracted by vocal noises of a saner and less hysterical type. „ • Your correspondent " J Accuse asks where on earth I got the idea that rnyone had suggested that freedom of thought should be suppressed in the University, and then later on says: “ It is surely incumbent on a University Council in times of peace to take steps to ensure that these irresponsible theorisings do not become active subversive propaganda,” thereby suggesting that freedom of thought should be suppressed and suggesting to me that “ J’Accuse ” has a woolly mentality. Your correspondent “Honour the Brave" dissected me savagely, but my head, although bloody, is still unbowed. I was too young to share in the glories of the last war, but ever since I have been sharing the freedom so dearly bought , then—the universal freedom of Versailles, the freedom of reparations, disarmament conferences, war debts, and cynical diplomatic iugglings. The only true freedom left wrs that intellectual freedom to be found in upiversities and places of learning—the freedom of art, literature and science, which was truly universal. If we lose this, even though we win the war. then we hsve lost all.—l am. etc.. For Freedom. Waipiata. June 27. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I was very pleased to see in your issue of the 21st inst. letters from “For Freedom” and “9/452” protesting against interference by the R.S.A. officials in University affairs. Here I thought is the opinion of the saner

members of the community. Consequently I was very much surprised to find in yesterday’s issue a correspond, ent, calling himself “Honour the Brave,” savagely attacking “ For Freedom ” for daring to criticise the heroes of the last war. Everybody honours those who fought for freedom in 1914-1918, but a hero of the last war is not necessarily sound in his judgment in the present war. Nobody will deny that Marshal Petain was a hero of the last war. but his actions in the present war are condemned by all members of the British Empire, and also by a large proportion of his own race. I fail to see why “For Freedom ” should not be allowed to criticise such unwarranted interference.—-I am. etc., Orongopai, June 27 Sanity. [We cannot provide any more space for correspondence on this subject— Ed. 0.D.T.l