UNPOPULAR ARTICLE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12081, 9 August 1917, Page 8

UNPOPULAR ARTICLE.

LIVELY INCIDENT IN MELBOURNE. 'VARSITY STUDENTS DUCK AN AUTHOR. Students of tho Melbourne University were very displeased at tho tone of an article written by .Mr Ouido Baraechi which appeared in the May issuo of tho "University Magazine." On tho evening of July 25 they expressed their displeasure by immersing Mr Baraechi up to his boot tops in tho lake opposite the biological hall. The tart that he was not pushed further into the water is not to be taken as an indication that the students were, kindly disposed towards him. It was merely that so great was the crush that, had those at the hack pushed any harder Mr .Baraechi would not have gono in unaccompanied. 'The attack was pre-arranged. Early in the evening a la rye crowd of students had gathered under an adjacent tree, anil discussed methods. Mr Baraechi had intimated his intention of attending a debate on tho subject ot the future of trades unionism. TU 1 walked smartly up to tho hall at about, half-past eight o'clock, and had ascended nearly to the top of tho stairs when he was hauled down bv several athletic youths, and rushed (Town to tho lake, where the immersion took place. Two policemen were in attendance, and they endeavoured to prevent the students from carrying out their intention, but one was knork<'<f down, and the other found himself powerless to rope with the crowd, although lie stuck manfully to his charge. After having punished Mr Baraechi. the students proceeded to try him. He was informed by half a dozen people at once that, in expressing certain sentiments regarding the war in the "University Magazine" he had heaped insult upon the University stall. Mr Baraechi, on the other hand, said he had not desired to offend tho susceptibilities of anyone, and if anything that he had written had given offence to any student who hud volunteered, or who liad returned from the. war, bo was willing to apologise. Many of the students, however, were lit and eligible tor active service, vet had not volunteered, and to those he declined" to apologise. At this there were boolioos and cries of " Push him right in," hut the suggestion was not acted upon, and eventually Mr Baraechi was allowed to enter the hall, where ho read an interesting paper on trades unionism. Later there was a, further meeting on the steps of the hall. A eha.jrnian was elected and when the meeting was reduced to something like order a resolution was agreed to that Mr Baracrhi apologise, in the next, issue of the .Melbourne " University Magazine " for having used that journal for the purpose of expressing views which were calculated to reflect discredit, upon the University An amendment was proposed hv one who championed Mr Baraechi, "That first, second and third year ' mods.' who have not volunteered should apologise for their existence." This created much hilarity amongst those who did not conn* within nny of these three classes, but there being 110 seconder it lasped. " That tho apology should also be inserted in 'The Argus,'" was moved as a further amendment, but as Mr Baraechi firmly declined to do this, and it was pointed out that the apology could be, taken from the "University Magazine" mid reprinted in "The Argus," the amendment was withdrawn, and the motion carried by an overwhelming majority.

Jlr Uitvncclii then agreed to writo the apology demanded of him, and tho incident was declared elosncl.