ANNUAL WORK DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27038, 24 March 1949, Page 6

ANNUAL WORK DAY

STUDENT INSTITUTION SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY “ADOPTED” When students of the University of Otago go out to cut hedges, dig gardens, mind babies or clean houses on their annual work day on April 9, they will have, a more definite purpose in view than has been the case in previous years. They have, in a sense, “ adopted ” Singapore University, and the money which their labour returns will be sent on to Singapore for various specific purposes.

In the past, the proceeds of the annual work day conducted by the Otago University branch of the International Students’ Service Committee has gone on to the organisation’s headquarters at Geneva to be devoted to world student relief purposes. It was decided this year that a more direct link should be sought, preferably in the Pacific area, and permission has been granted for such a link to be established with Singapore University. The fact that a former faculty member, Dr A. H. Ellis, is now on the faculty of Singapore University has assisted and stimulated interest in the project. It is intended that the money sent should be devoted to the rebuilding of the Singapore Students’ Union Library, which was destroyed during the war, and to the replacement of such equipment as books, magazines and canteen facilities. The, students’ work day has been an annual institution for some time, but it is not generally known that the Women Students’ Association maintains a similar service throughout the academic year. By telephoning the representatives of the scheme at the various women students’ hostels, residents can obtain the assistance of students for such minor household tasks as “ baby sitting ” in return for a small fee. A proportion of the money so collected is added to the annual work day proceeds, and the balance has been used for sending food parcels to Britain. This year, the WSA is to give a party for children, mainly from the city orphanages, in Allen Hall on April 9. Details regarding the availability of students for various forms of work are to be published before the annual work day.