CAPPING FESTIVITIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24896, 21 April 1942, Page 4

CAPPING FESTIVITIES

SUSPENDED FOR PRESENT YEAR A decision to suspend all Capping activities during the present year has been unanimously reached by the executive of the Otago University Students' Association. In a statement issued in explanation of the decision, the capping controller (Mr B. H. R. Hill) points out that Capping has been celebrated annually in Dunedin for over 30 years, even in times of war and depression, but he adds that the time of male students, the great majority of whom are in the medical and dental faculties, is now fully occupied with study and army training. As controller he did not feel justified in allotting tasks to- mobilised students who have been released from the army in order to complete studies which will make them of greater use in the defence of their country. Expressing regret that it has been necessary to withdraw an offer to assist in raising funds for patriotic purposes on Capping Day, Mr Hill states that the executive felt that the time of students would be better spent if applied to the major issues before them. He also points out that a continuance of the festivities would involve the use of essential materials, including hundreds of yards of calico, tons of paper for the book, and petrol for lorries at a time when the business firms which provide them are already working extended hours with short staff. The statement offers the assistance of students in patriot itefforts in any case in which it can possibly be given.