http://felixonline.co.uk/archive/IC_1973/1973_0342_A by Ravi Pall

UNION MEETING TO T)AV GREAT ' ' HALL lUU/il 1

N E W S P A P E R O F IMPERIAL C O L L E G E UNION October 16th, 1973

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p m

ISSUE No. 342

N O T T I N G H A M U N I V E R S I T Y O C C U P A T I O N

300 students fined for backin the N U S Grants Campaign Art amendment to a motion at last Wednesday's U G M in Nottingham gives the College Authorities until 3 p.m. on Thursday to drop all fines imposed or an immediate occupation of Trent building will start. T h e s e fines were imp o s e d in July when the Authorities tightened up their ordinances (regulations) to allow a fine of £ 1 per week for every week that hall fees are not paid beginning three weeks after receipt of the bill. a partial Although amnesty was granted allowing the students up to five weeks to pay, at the beginning of this term 300 students owed fines of between £2-£4. There are n o w only 6 0 left w h o h a v e n o t paid the fines a n d t h e A u t h o r i t i e s have threatened to s u s p e n d a n y students w h o d o not p a y b y t h e e n d of t h i s term. The students have been further enraged by further fining w h i c h over the took place summer recess followi n g e v e n t s a t a sit-in i n s u p p o r t of t h e g r a n t s c a m p a i g n which o c c u r r e d before e x ams last t e r m . Three people were f i n e d £5, five people £7.50 a n d o n e £25

w h i c h i n c l u d e d a £15 fine f o r i g n o r i n g a w a r n ing from the Bursar. The lower s u m s have been p a i d b u t t h e stud e n t o w i n g t h e £25 i s appealing. T h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e Union D o u g Knott said that h e s u s p e c t e d a frame-up, a s he too, had ignored the warning from the Bursar, and d o n e s o with a corr i d o r full o f w i t n e s s e s and yet nothing h a d happened. The student w h o w a s fined w a s convicted o n t h e b a s i s of e v i d e n c e submitted by three m e m b e r s of t h e U n i v e r s i t y A u t h o r i t i e s , o n e of which w a s the Bursar. The amendment at last W e d n e s d a y ' s U G M was passed overwhelmingly but the motion a s a whole will not b e voted o n unt i l today (Tuesday). Incorporated in t h e amendment which w a s p a s s e d w a s a call for the fines resulting from t h e sit-in t o b e p a i d b a c k o r d r o p p e d if n o t already paid. Students

all

round

the

country are facing i n c r e a s e s i n h a l l of r e s i d e n c e fees, refectories, c l o t h e s , rent a n d f o o d w h i c h s h o w t h e £20 e x tra from the governm e n t t o b e t h e i n s u l t it is. M a n y students must be considering having to l e a v e c o l l e g e a n d find a j o b rather than c o n t i n u e t o try a n d s u b s i s t o n £520 p . a . a s p r i c e s s h o o t o u t of t h e ceiling. A survey is being u n d e r t a k e n at t h e m o m e n t of t h e i n c r e a s e s i n hall fees a n d refectory prices around the country a n d w i l l b e p u b lished next week. I n c r e a s e s of b e t w e e n 9% a n d 1 6 % have occurred almost everywhere which make the necessity for a n i m mediate increase in grants the most urgent question for many students. will be Attention focused on the N U S conference to b e held in N o v e m b e r t o s e e t h e amount of support w h i c h will b e forthcomi n g f o r t h e rent s t r i k e s , sit-ins, a n d o c c u p a t i o n s at present occurring and (like IC) o n the c a r d s for next term.

UC "THIEVES" University College have removed the boards i n the U n i o n b u i l d i n g w i t h t he lists Of past Presidents of the Union a n d other Union officials, i t w a s revealed t o m e o n S u n d a y toy N o r m a n S a y l e s , I C U President. T h i s i s t r a d i t i o n a l l y a case f o r Che n e f a r i o u s n i g h t a c t i v i of W.H.O. (Wooden ties Horse Organisation) b u t N o r m regards i t as m o r e serious 'than mascot p i n c h i n g a n d is t h i n k i n g o f t a k i n g t h e m a t t e r to a s o l i c i t o r . It is unclear when the b o a r d s disappeared but Deputy President D a v e Sinclair as W . H . O . c o - o r d i n a t o r will be h o t o n the trail i f the boards are n o t immediately returned. U C L w h o at periods i n their m u r k y history o f attempted mascot pinching have been almost successful have a most peculiar i f inviolate mascot o f their o w n . It i s the preserved b o d y o f Jeremy B e n tham w h o resides close t o the front entrance. If t h e y w e r e t o d i r e c t t h e i r frustration at n o t having retrieved a n y of their o w n mascots — w h i c h has o b v i o u s l y produced this rash a n d meaningless action — t o ' E ' floor the Ches'ham i n King's of College they w o u l d find t w o of their l o n g lost oars i n the committee room.

Fire Engine in Committee Room 'A' C o m m i t t e e R o o m A is u n u s a b l e alt t h e p r e s e n t d u e t o a large proportion o f t h e e n trails o f J E Z scattered o v e r the floor. T h e y h a v e been l y i n g there since t h e v a c a t i o n along w i t h a large a m o u n t o f scraped-off red paint, tarpauling a n d paint pots.

And Now Another Episode in the Continuing Saga of PARKING PLACES Successful Appeals and alterations to original list

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Leadership Crisis

Open letter to Mooney Dear

Mr.

Sir,

Mooney,

I a m w r i t i n g o n b e h a l f of I.C. U n i o n e x e c u t i v e t o p r o have test a b o u t t h e a t r o c i o u s Refectory c o n d i t i o n s w h i c h p r e v a i l e d s i n c e t h e b e g i n n i n g of t h i s t e r m . F i r s t of a l l , w e w e r e p r o m i s e d a n A L L D A Y s n a c k b a r in the U n i o n b u i l d i n g for F r e s h e r s ' D a y . T h i s type of c a t e r i n g facility I feel w a s e s s e n t i a l f r o m o u r p o i n t of v i e w and I would have thought profitable from yours. Instead of t h e s n a c k b a r , f o u r l a d i e s a t l e a s t w e r e c o m m i s s i o n e d at a b o u t 1 2 . 0 0 t o b e g i n l a y i n g o u t b i s c u i t s o n p l a t e s f o r F r e s h e r s ' T e a , w h i c h b e g a n at 3.00. T h i s s e e m s to b e a l u d i c r o u s s i t u a t i o n , a n d I w o u l d h a v e t h o u g h t it m o r e s e n s i b l e to h a v e c a n c e l l e d t h e F r e s h e r s ' T e a a n d o r g a n i s e d Maybe your reason y o u r staff i n t o a n a l l - d a y s n a c k b a r . for the d e c i s i o n w a s b e c a u s e C o l l e g e b l o c k h a d c o m m i s sioned the Freshers' T e a a n d "only the U n i o n " h a d asked for a n all-day s n a c k b a r . A s w e l l a s this, I w o u l d s u g g e s t t h a t it w a s p r o b a b l y e a s i e r f r o m y o u r p o i n t o f v i e w t o o r g a n i s e t h e t e a r a t h e r t h a n a n a l l - d a y affair. O n t o p of t h i s , w e w e r e t o l d t h a t t h e U n i o n l o w e r r e f e c tory w o u l d not o p e n d u r i n g t h e first w e e k of t e r m , b u t that it w o u l d d e f i n i t e l y b e o p e n o n M o n d a y , 8 t h . T h u s , w h e n p e o p l e c o m p l a i n e d to u s last w e e k a b o u t t h e o v e r c r o w d i n g in t h e o t h e r c o l l e g e refectories, w e p a c i f i e d t h e m with the a s s u r a n c e that this i n c o n v e n i e n c e w a s only for o n e week a n d would be removed by opening the Union lower refectory. T h i s w e e k it i s i m p o s s i b l e t o p e r s u a d e p e o p l e any longer, a n d I w o u l d not like to repeat the many n a m e s w.th w h i c h y o u have b e e n b r a n d e d . • I h a v e h e a r d r e p o r t s of t h e s a l a d s e c t i o n in S o u t h s i d e r u n n i n g o u t of m e a l s b y 1 2 . 4 5 , i.e., g i v i n g people 15 m i n u t e s c h o i c e , a n d t h e n a " t a k e it o r l e a v e i t " m e n u . This situation c a n obviously N O T be tolerated, either f r o m t h e point of v i e w of t h e refectory, o r f r o m t h e point of v i e w o f t h e s t u d e n t s o f I . C . I a p p r e c i a t e that y o u a r e h a v i n g difficulties with ref e c t o r y staff, b u t f i n d it v e r y h a r d t o b e l i e v e t h a t A L L y o u r staff f r o m t h e L o w e r U n i o n r e f e c t o r y r e s i g n e d in t h e last w e e k of t h e s u m m e r v a c a t i o n . U n l e s s this w a s the case, I s u s p e c t the fault t o b e w h o l l y y o u r s , in no t striving to s o l v e t h e s t a f f p r o b l e m b e f o r e t h e b e g i n n i n g of t e r m . O b v i o u s l y , this p r o b l e m is a difficult o n e to solve, but after t h e d i s c u s s i o n at t h e R e f e c t o r y committee last week, I would strongly recommend that in t h e future y o u w o r k to k e e p t h e U n i o n l o w e r refectory o p e n o v e r t h e summer vacation. This will both help the overcrowding in r e f e c t o r i e s d u e t o c o n f e r e n c e b o o k i n g s , a n d a l s o s a v e t h e U n i o n staff f r o m t h e i n c o n v e n i e n c e of b e i n g t r a n s f e r r e d to a n a l i e n e n v i r o n m e n t o v e r t h e s u m m e r p e r i o d . A n o t h e r s o l u t i o n w h i c h I feel m u s t b e c o n s i d e r e d is t h e o ; , e of b e t t e r w a g e s f o r b e t t e r s t a f f . This is obviously a difficult o n e to a s s e s s , but h a s there b e e n a s u r v e y d o n e of w a g e s p a i d t o r e f e c t o r y s t a f f i n o t h e r c o l l e g e s i n t h e London area? I w o u l d a p p r e c i a t e a p r o m p t reply in the f o r m of a letter b e f o r e o u r C o u n c i l m e e t i n g o n M o n d a y , 15th O c t o ber, a s I a m certain that the refectories t o p i c will c o m e will b e r e q u i r e d to a n s w e r for y o u . up a n d Yours \

sincerely, Norman Sayles, President.

Mr. Mooney's reply Dear

October

FELIX

Page 2

Norman,

I a m very sorry that y o u have h a d c a u s e to c o m p l a i n about the Refectory s e r v i c e s , but I h o p e that w h e n y o u take i n t o a c c o u n t t h e p r o b l e m s w i t h staff w h i c h w e h a v e h a d , y o u will u n d e r s t a n d . The Union Refectory staff l a s t t e r m c o n s i s t e d of:— Mr. G o m e z (Chef), J o a n (Cashier a n d c h a r g e h a n d ) , Kathleen, N o r a a n d Dorothy, augmented b y c a s u a l staff a s a n d w h e n required, a n d a s far a s w e w e r e aware all w e r e r e t u r n i n g for t h e first w e e k of t e r m o r e a r l i e r . In t h e e v e n t what t r a n s p i r e d w a s rather different. Joan, as you know, w a s t a k e n ill last t e r m , a n d after r e t u r n i n g f o r t h e w e e k p r i o r t o t h e first w e e k of t e r m , f o u n d t h e w o r k t o o e x h a u s t ing a n d r e s i g n e d o n Friday, 8th S e p t e m b e r . Mr. Gomez returned from S p a i n o n e w e e k later than e x p e c t e d a n d a n n o u n c e d t h a t h e h a d n o i n t e n t i o n of w o r k i n g i n t h e Union. Kathleen t e l e p h o n e d to say that s h e h a d f o u n d a j o b at t h e s a m e r a t e o f p a y , b u t w i t h l e s s h o u r s . N o n e of these facts were k n o w n before Friday, 28th September. In fact, in t h e c a s e of M r . G o m e z , o n 1st O c t o b e r . Were t h e r e f o r e f o u n d it i m p o s s i b l e t o o p e n t h e U n i o n a s p r o mised, for the all-day S n a c k B a r . T h e four ladies y o u s a w w e r e c a s u a l staff h i r e d f r o m t h e E m p l o y m e n t e x c h a n g e for that d a y to d o t h e F r e s h e r s ' T e a s . T h e f a c t t "h a t t h e the College c to m m i s s i o n e d t h e t e a h a d n o b e a r i n g o n matter. staff c o n t i n u o u s e m W e d i d offer t h e U n i o n R e f e c t o r y p l o y m e n t in a d i f f e r e n t c a p a c i t y t h r o u g h o u t t h e l o n g v a c a t i o n , t h e offer w a s d e c l i n e d . K e e p i n g t h e U n i o n o p e n d u r i n g t h e v a c a t i o n is u n e c o n o m i c a l , a s y o u w e l l k n o w , O u r r a t e of p a y i s t h e , s e c o n d h i g h e s t i n U n i v e r s i t i e s in t h e U . K . M r . F i s h e r of N . U . P . E . will c o n f i r m this, a L o n d o n Medical College being the highest. It i s i n t e n d e d t h a t t h e U n i o n R e f e c t o r y r e - o p e n o n M o n d a y 1 5 t h , u s i n g o f f i c e a n d c a s u a l staff, a n d w h i l e w e w i l l n o t b e a b l e t o p r o v i d e a f u l l s e r v i c e , I h o p e it w i l l b e s u f f i cient to alleviate the q u e u e s a n d p r o b l e m s elsewhere. V. J . M o o n e y , Rectory Manager. P.S. T h e Refectory committee w o u l d greatly appreciate h e l p in t h e f o r m of s t u d e n t L a b o u r , w i t h t h e r u n n i n g of t h e c o l l e g e refectories. Student e m p l o y e e s will b e paid simil a r w a g e s t o R e f e c t o r y staff, a n d w o r k e i t h e r a t l u n c h t i m e s o r at e v e n i n g f u n c t i o n s .

M a n y of u s w h o d i d n o t vote for the U n i o n President last t e r m , at least h o p e d , d e spite his politically inactive s t a n c e , that h e w o u l d attempt to b e r e a s o n a b l y democratic a n d try to act in the i n t e r e s t s of t h e s t u d e n t s that he represented. Last week's "Purple Patch" showed us that w e w e r e m i s g u i d e d . T h e c e n t r a l t h e m e of t h e article w a s that w e s h o u l d "work with" and "back u p " the C o l l e ge by paying higher The Presirefectory prices. dent bel i eves that " t h e c o l lege authorities are . . . on our side" and we should not m a k e t h e m "our ENEMIES". Thus we should "ACCEPT the increases". (His capitalisation, not mine). I d o n ' t b e l i e v e that a n y o n e accepts that the p r i c e i n creases are justified, not even the "moderates" or the apathetics, by whom, the President claims, he was elected. The price rises simply demonstrate that the College is NOT " o n our s i d e " , a n d N O T w o r k i n g in students' interests. It i s c l e a r t h a t t h e e d u c a t i o n a l s e c t o r of t h e e c o n o m y is h a v i n g to p a y f o r t h e G o v ernment's economic crisis. Children cannot have free milk; ILEA has "part-time" it c a n n o t schools, because p a y t e a c h e r s e n o u g h to live in L o n d o n ; t h e n u m b e r of s t u d e n t s in t e a c h e r t r a i n i n g is to b e c u t b y half in t h e next few years, despite the s h o r t a g e of t e a c h e r s . These are just a few manifestations of Mrs. Thatcher's pinchpenny policies. the real We know that value of t h e grant is decreasing constantly. Refectory prices are going up, a n d Hall rents will a l s o rise next year. The cut-back in e x p e n d i t u r e b y t h e D E S i s causing much hardship to students, a n d denying many young people entry to higher education, particularly girls, who may have to choose between marriage and a degree education. Who implements prices a n d rents? authorities. Can c l a i m that they a r e side?

higher College anyone on our

If t h e y w e r e r e a l l y w o r k i n g in o u r i n t e r e s t s t h e y would confront the U G C , a n d point out that U G C grants a r e not large e n o u g h to r u n a university with reasonable prices a n d rents, given the low student grant. They would refuse to a d h e r e to the U G C p o l i c y that Halls are r e f e c t o r i es s h o u l d f i n a n c e

themselves. They would keep prices a n d rents down, a n d really support the Grants Campaign. Accepting increases simply o p e n s the w a y for more i n creases. The President k n o w s this a s well a s anyo n e , yet he is b a c k i n g d o w n at t h e m e r e s t h i n t o f a c t i o n . H e c l a i m s that h e s u p p o r t s the call for rent strike. Is it consistent to a c c e p t price rises because the College authorities are our friends, then call for a rent strike? S t u d e n t s a r e l o o k i n g to t h e U n i o n for s o m e leadership. We need some action in our interest, by the President and the Executive. N o n e of us will accept a sell-out —moderates included? Trevor P h i l l i p s , External Affairs Officer.

COMMENT Sir, T h e E d i t o r i a l of F e l i x , O c tober 9, m a n a g e s to refer to a l a r g e n u m b e r of i s s u e s in a s m a l l a m o u n t o f s p a c e a n d to say absolutely nothi n g of a n y s e n s e o n a n y of them. W h a t it i n f a c t s e e m s t o b e saying is o n the o n e h a n d that the Tory Government c a n never b e forced to a c c e d e to o u r d e m a n d s for a grant increase; on the other hand if t h e present leadership of the Trade U n i o n s a n d N U S is r e m o v e d (and replaced perhaps with t h e w r i t e r of t h e r e f e r r e d to nonsense) then N U S will be a b l e t o g e t s o m e t h i n g o u t of the Tory Government. Kathleen

Editor's

Corcoran.

The main question here is anywhether anyone can get thing out of the Tory Government in the present period. The answer to that is NO. Nothing that is, except further attacks on one's standard of living and democratic rights. According to a survey by a City Stockbrokers food prices rose on average 2.63 per cent last week alone — unlike workers' claims to the Pay Board and students' claims to the DES, most of these price increases pass through the Tory Price Commission untouched. Tories This isn't just nasty being mean to the workers, the reason why this present government is making these swingeing attacks is because they are driven on by the rapidly deepening economic crisis. In order to protect their profits, they have to drive down the living standards of the working class, cut back on domestic expenditure, and of course to do this they have to emasculate the trades unions and organisations of the working class. Hence the Industrial Relations Act, Phase I, Phase III and Gilbert Longden's antiautonomy green paper. To

protect

our

rights

and

our living standards we leftmust remove these talkers in the NUS and the trade unions and replace them with a leadership who will mobilise students and workers around a platform of removing this government and replacing it with a Labour government pledged to socialist policies, including immediate cash supplementary grants to beat inflation.

PARANOIC Sir, T h a n k y o u for i n t r o d u c i n g u s a l l at I.C. to a n e w g a m e , guessing how many times the w o r d " S t a l i n i s t " will appear in t h e n e x t i s s u e o f F e l i x . A s o n e of t h e a l l e g e d "Stalini s t s " at I . C , I w o u l d like t o make a few c o m m e n t s on y o u r e d i t o r i a l of O c t o b e r 9. N o b o d y c l a i m s that t h e £20 grant increase c o n c e d e d by the G o v e r n m e n t w a s a great v i c t o r y , b u t it w a s t h e f i r s t time e v e r that s u c h a n i n crease has been given outside the Triennial Review, a n d s h o w s that the G o v e r n ment c a n be moved. The extraordinary conference on g r a n t s h e l d at I . C , s e t o u t a c o h e r e n t w o r k a b l e p l a n of c a m p a i g n for the next year; raising the understanding a n d s u p p o r t of s t u d e n t s f o r t h e aims of the campaign through propaganda a n d activity, t h e activity to reach p e a k s at t i m e s of t h e m e e t i n g s of t h e T r i e n n i a l R e v i e w w h e n the G o v e r n m e n t is most vulnerable to pressure, a n d at t h e s a m e t i m e t h e a i d o f the o r g a n i s e d w o r k i n g c l a s s will b e enlisted by joint c a m p a i g n i n g a r o u n d t h e i s s u e of a c c e s s to higher education, something w h i c h is d e n i e d working class children because of the inadequate grant. T h e sole s p e e c h at that c o n f e r e n c e by a m e m b e r of Y S S S (of w h i c h y o u are a p r o m i n e n t m e m b e r at I . C ) , c o n s i s t e d in the main in a p a r a n o i c a s s e r t i o n that in t h e hall everybody else was e n g a g e d in a witch-hunt against YSSS, a laughable assertion since we h a d rather more important matters to d i s c u s s , w h i c h I g u e s s i s why everybody laughed at her.

The N U S a few years a g o clique-ridden social was i and travel agency, club whose leaders held back any activity by students mass and which was proved to be indirectly financed by the C I A . N o w N U S is a n a t i o n ally important body capable of d e f e n d i n g a n d a d v a n c i n g its m e m b e r s interests t h r o u g h m a s s activity. S o m e of the credit for that change must go t o the s o - c a l l e d " p o l i t i c ally b a n k r u p t " leadership of the broad-left, a n d the C o m munist Party in particular since w e have worked consistently for that change over the years.

l o t h , 1973

In t h e w i d e r f i e l d o f t h e Labour movement you accuse us of c o n s c i o u s l y working a g a i n s t t h e i n t e r e s t s of t h e working class in o r d e r to retain our " p r i v i l e g e d " p o s i tions. T h i s is a lie a n d yet another example of YSSS paranoia. O n e only has to read the " M o r n i n g S t a r " to see every day the call for action by the Communist Party against the Tories a n d c a p i t a l i s m in g e n e r a l ; b u t t h e C P . not only calls for action, its m e m b e r s lead struggles against Tory policies and capitalism, unlike the S L L (of w h i c h Y S S S i s t h e s t u dent branch) which shouts from the sidelines about building a n alternative leadership but never actually leads. W h y is t h i s ? It i s b e c a u s e the large majority of S L L m e m b e r s are not working c l a s s , their ideas a r e regarded as ludicrous by workers, a n d therefore they a r e not t r u s t e d to l e a d . O n t h e other h a n d , the majority of CP. members are workers, and other workers k n o w b y experience that C P . m e m b e r s a r e to b e t r u s t e d to a d vance the interests of t h e working class as a whole, w h i c h is w h y there a r e thouup s a n d s of C P . m e m b e r s and down the country holdi n g p o s i t i o n s of r e s p o n s i b i lity (shop stewards, Trade Union leaders, etc).

A s for C h i l e , this is a very complex problem and cann o t b e p a s s e d off w i t h o n e fatuous line. In a c o u n t r y in w h i c h t h e w o r k i n g class is o n l y 3 0 p e r c e n t of t h e population, a n d A l l e n d e rec e i v e d only 3 6 p e r c e n t of the vote, openly a r m i n g t h e workers immediately as S L L c a l l s for, w o u l d have meant a c o u p m u c h earlier. The s e t b a c k in C h i l e is no t t h e e n d of t h e p e a c e f u l r o a d t o S o c i a l i s m , just a s the death of " C h e " i n B o l i v i a w a s n o t the e n d of g u e r r i l l a w a r f a r e . Paul (secretary,

Party

Sir, Norman Sayles comments on the anomalous position of Postgrads in the grant structure in Purple Patch, O c tober 9th, a n d states that t h e g r a n t i s £15 a w e e k . T h e c o r r e c t figure is, in fact, significantly less. This year the Research C o u n c i l s have inc r e a s e d t h e i r g r a n t s t o £695 for a 52-week year — app r o x i m a t e l y £13.40 a w e e k . Pete

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O c t o b e r 16th, 1973

PURPLE Once again it has got r o u n d to the t i m e for m e to w r i t e m y a r t i c l e . It i s n o w only four days since I wrote the last one, a n d s i n c e t h e n very little has happened. I have been to several dinners a n d lunches for w h i c h I a m very grateful, and I have had lengthy discussions with the Refectory manager and chairman of the refectory committee with respect to the opening of the Union Lower Refectory. In this w e e k ' s F E L I X y o u s h o u l d be a b l e to r e a d bo th the letter w h i c h I sent to M r . M o o n e y , a n d a l s o t h e r e p l y w h i c h I received. In Mr. Mooney's letter, h e e x p l a i n s , I t h i n k quite fully, the reasons for the refectory not having opened, and has given us a . f i r m p r o m i s e t h a t it w i l l be open on Monday, 15th October. H e d i d , however, m a k e the point quite clear that e x t r a staff i n t h e f o r m of s t u dent labour would be required to keep the refectories r u n n i n g at f u l l s t e a m . T h e s e jobs in the refectories are not the best jobs to undertake in y o u r spare t i m e , but t h e y a r e at least r e a s o n a b l y p a i d , a n d y o u get reasonable meal s (free). T h e person to get in t o u c h w i t h is M r s . H a i t h o r n t h w a i t o n Int. 2 8 8 0 if y o u f a n c y d o i n g t h e job.

FELIX

GAYSOC

PITCH A l s o this week w e have had a very serious talk w i t h Dave D r u c e about the setting up of a society for homosexual and also bisexual students in the college. The society will become known as G A Y S O C a n d its a i m s w i l l be to promote a n d d i s c u s s the G a y L i b a s p e c t of life i n the 2 0 t h century. Please take t h i s s o c i e t y s e r i o u s l y a s it is being set up for the g o o d of the minority. T h e least w e c a n d o is t o g i v e t h e m a chance. meeting There will be a of the Grants A c t i o n C o m m i t tee on M o n d a y , 1 5 t h O c t o b e r (i.e. y e s t e r d a y ) at w h i c h we will probably make decisions on Grants policy for the next term, these decis i o n s w i l l b e m a d e k n o w n at the U n i o n meeting today. O n the topic of the U n i o n m e e t i n g it i s E S S E N T I A L t h a t e v e r y o n e c o m e s a s t h e r e is c e r t a i n to be d i s c u s s i o n o n Refectory price reductions, etc. A s I s a i d last w e e k , I feel that refectory boycotts or protests are going to have n o e f f e c t . If a n y o n e w a n t s t o r e a d m y v i e w s in either last w e e k , or the previous w e e k ' s issues, w e stiil have a few h u n d r e d c o p i e s in the U n i o n office. T h a t ' s all for n o w , see on Tuesday lunch-time.

you

P.A.W.N.O* Hard Sells It h a s been b r o u g h t to m y ' n o t i c e t h a t a n u m b e r of i n surance salesmen have been going round the halls of residence d o i n g "foot in the door" selling. These insurance m e n are not a l l o w e d on the premises unless they have been invited or have got an appointment with someone i n the h a l l . I u r g e a l l of y o u to read the article headed "Insurance" in this edition. It isn't a p l u g f o r E n d s i e i g h Insurance, just an urgent plea to ask y o u to get expert advice a b o u t w h a t y o u are buying. Don't sign anything before you're certain what it is t h a t y o u are s i g n i n g .

C y c l e Thieves?

term discussion weekends are h e l d at the s t a t i o n . A t these, a guest s p e a k e r is i n v i t e d to talk on a topic, the talk t a k i n g place on the Saturday. T h e r e t h e n follows discussions on the c h o s e n topic. Accommodation is provided for the w e e k e n d and the cost is o n l y £1.00. C o a c h e s are provided from Prince Cons o r t R o a d a t 14.15 o n S a t u r day, 27th O c t o b e r a n d r e t u r n a t 18.00 o n S u n d a y , 2 8 t h O c t ober. T h e guest s p e a k e r t h e n w i l l be M i s s K a n e , a f o u n d e r m e m b e r of " R a d i c a l A l t e r n a tives to P r i s o n " ( R A P ) who worked in Wormwood Scrubs p r i s o n i n 1970. S h e w i l l d i s cuss the causes a n d n a t u r e of crime, ithe reaction of s o c i e t y to a n t i - s o c i a l behaviour, the role of the police, a n d the t r e a t m e n t of c r i m e i n other countries on both sides of the I r o n C u r t a i n . If y o u w i s h to a p p l y , p l e a s e send y o u r n a m e , w i t h o u t c a s h , to M r . C. K. M c D o w a l l , College Block 331 before Monday, 2 2 n d O c t o b e r . T h e r e is l i m i t ed accommodation for wives a n d fiancees.

There have been a large n u m b e r of thefts i n the last few weeks. " A h - h a " , y o u may say, " b u t I l o c k m i n e u p " . However, this may not be g o o d e n o u g h . It a p p e a r s t h a t these thieves have been cutting through the chains that lock the bikes up. T h i s has t e n d e d to h a p p e n a t times people w h e n there are few about (weekends, evenings, Commemoration Day Ball etc.). F o r y o u r own sake, Still a few tickets left. please keep y o u r cycles in Please h u r r y i f y o u w a n t one. die areas reserved for t h e m . I n t h i s w a y i t is p o s s i b l e t o Union Meeting spot anyone who may be P l e a s e t r y a n d c o m e t o totampering with them. day's u n i o n meeting. There is a l o t of i m p o r t a n t b u s i n e s s T o u c h s t o n e Weekends to be discussed and it is college possesses a n essential t h a t the m e e t i n g is The e x c e l l e n t field s t a t i o n at S i l - a f a i r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n of the wood, near Ascot. Twice a views within the. U n i o n .

Insurance-Ted York W h e n y o u are in c o l l e g e you soon find yourself very m u c h in d e m a n d . P a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h a lot of i n s u r a n c e s a l e s m e n a n x i o u s to s e l l y o u l i f e assurance. Now there is nothing wrong with insurance a s s u c h . It i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t , s o m e t i m e s essential, a n d potentially extremely valuable. It i s c e r t a i n l y s o m e t h i n g y o u as a s t u d e n t w i l l have to c o n s i d e r very carefully. F i n d i n g the r i g h t i n s u r a n c e for your own individual n e e d s c a n be quite a c o m p l e x business. You will need expert, impartial advice from someone who understands will student insurance. You w a n t a s c h e m e that is right for you, value for money, a n d m o s t of a l l , r e l i a b i l i t y . It

Page 3

they set up their o w n insurance brokerage. It i s c a l l e d E n d s i e i g h , a n d is the O N L Y student owned insurance brokerage. Endsieigh is owned by students themselves but is o p e r a t e d by fully trained and experienced insurance men and women. R e m e m b e r that w i t h the m a s s i v e s t r e n g t h of t h e 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 m e m b e r s of N U S , E n d s l e i g h has been a b l e to negotiate s o m e very favourable terms for m o t o r insurance, property insurance, travel insurance, and many others. Endsleigh do not act only as Life Assurance Brokers, but we are happy to advise you w h e n the n e e d a;ises. Please remember to c o n s u l t E n d s leigh before m a k i n g a decis i o n on y o u r life a s s u r a n c e .

was precisely because t h e N a t i o n a l U n i o n of S t u d There is a permanent ents recognised both t h e Insurance C e n t r e at Imperial importance of insurance t o C o l l e g e in t h e " R o o m at the t h e s t u d e n t a n d t h e n e e d f o r T o p " o p e n d a i l y b e t w e e n the a fair insurance deal t h a t h o u r s o f 1 1 . 3 0 - 2 . 3 0 . U s e itl

RCC Recreational Clubs

O n e of the most n o t a b l e lectures by s p e a k e r s of n o t e and lamentable facts about w h o hurl forth ideas o n all t h e s o c i a l life o f IC is its a s p e c t s of t h e s e x u a l s p e c d i s t i n c t l a c k of a n y k i n d o f t r u m , in a d d i t i o n to parties, G a y s o c , a n d it is m y a v o w e d d i s c o s , d a n c e s , e t c . , at W h i c h intention to r e m e d y this mat- gay students c a n meet others ter as s o o n as p o s s i b l e . with c o m m o n interests other There is, of c o u r s e , the than just sex. The first s t e p i s to get 'London University Gay Students' Society' for those some names on the memberw h o h a v e h e a r d of it, a n d s h i p list. I w o u l d l i k e to h e a r w h o are p r e p a r e d to' h a b i t u - f r o m h o m o s e x u a l s a n d b i s e x ally undertake the a r d u o u s u a l s of b o t h s e x e s a n d , of r e t u r n j o u r n e y to B l o o m s b u r y c o u r s e , h e t e r o s w h o are i n t o a t t e n d its f u n c t i o n s . H o w - t e r e s t e d i n t h e v i r t u e o f t h e equale v e r , it s e e m s pretty clear, c a u s e of h o m o s e x u a l t o m e at a n y r a t e , t h a t U L U i t y . S o if y o u a r e g a y . a n d s o c i e t i e s have little r e l e v a n c e c a n n o t c o n t a c t o t h e r s o f the inclinations, don't go to the individual colleges, same and our o w n society w o u l d o n l i v i n g in m i s e r a b l e i s o l a You can contact me seem a m u c h more satisfac- tion. through our revered Presidtory prospect. ent and his minions or The a i m s of the society t h r o u g h t h e C h e m i s t r y letterare hazy at present, but they rack, and w e ' l l talk the matw o u l d p r e s u m a b l y f o l l o w the ter over. g e n e r a l lines of the U L U s o c iety w h i c h o r g a n i s e s d i s c u s - D A V E D R U C E — C h e m . I sion meetings, debates and

What motivates you to

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VACANCIES r SOME SPARE CilSH . . . H e l p is n e e d e d in our C o l l e g e R e f e c t o r i e s . T h e r e are staff s h o r t a g e s in the k i t c h e n s b o t h for l u n c h t i m e s a n d a l s o evening functions. W i l l a n y o n e i n t e r e s t e d p l e a s e get in t o u c h w i t h M i s s H a i t h o r n t h w a i t int 2880. T h e rate of pay is a p p r o x i m a t e l y 46p p e r hour. H e l p is n e e d e d a s s o o n a s p o s s i b l e .

Part-time T e a c b e r for M A T H E M A T I C S at Ordinary Level (London Board) required five m o r n i n g s a w e e k , M o n d a y to F r i d a y , 1| h o u r s e a c h morning, 9.30 a.m to 11 a.m. T h e r e m u n e r a t i o n w o u l d b e £2.00 per h o u r . P l e a s e c o n t a c t the P r i n c i p a l , L o n d o n A c a d e m y , 15 C a c f o g a n G a r d e n s , L o n d o n S W 3 2 R L — t e l e p h o n e 01-730 4739.

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Specialy for the overseas student Sir,

Twenty-five years a g o Fred Crittenden walked into the student's c o m mon room of the S c h o o l of Oriental and African Studies and found an overseas student sitting alone, looking very miserable. Fred sat by him and got talking. When he made t o go, the student thanked him saying, " Y o u are the first Englishman to speak to me ever s i n c e I arrived.'' I h o p e that this h a s not b e e n y o u r e x p e r i e n c e if y o u are a new student at this c o l l e g e . I h a v e to w a r n y o u however, that as college gains m o m e n t u m and everyone buries himself in his b o o k s , life c a n b e c o m e very impersonal. Not even the p a g e s of F e l i x w i l l c a r r y c o m f o r t i n g w o r d s for the o v e r seas student. T h e a i m of t h i s a r t i c l e is to l e a v e n o o v e r s e a s s t u d e n t w i t h an e x c u s e for keeping to h i m s e l f a n d f e e l i n g lonely, lost a n d m i s e r a b l e . We are a g r o u p of p e o p l e (stud e n t s a n d staff) w h o genuoverseas inely believe that s t u d e n t s ' life in c o l l e g e a n d in B r i t a i n c a n b e v e r y h a p p y and enjoyable. W e are going all the w a y to p r o v e t h i s . As Professor Rogers, of crytallogrophy, s a i d at the international reception, T.C. enjoys a greater s h a r e of o/s students than any other college of London University. T h e f a c i l i t i e s in c o l l e g e are g e a r e d to e n a b l e us to dev e l o p in m i n d a n d b o d y , so use that w e c a n be of full to o u r c o u n t r i e s . T h e p r o f e s sor s a y s that he d o e s not a c c e p t any o/s s t u d e n t s into h i s d e p a r t m e n t u n l e s s he is

a s s u r e d that they are going to use w h a t they h a v e learnt. T h e f a c t t h a t IC i s b u r s t i n g w i t h o/s s t u d e n t s , is a c h a l lenge to our group as we seek ways and means of helping the different races a n d nati onal i ti es to c o m e together a n d just have a nice t i m e . It i s n o t u s u a l l y , e a s y if y o u a l r e a d y have taken p a r t in s o m e of o u r a c t i v i t i e s , we thank you for coming along. On the other hand you may have received a prog r a m m e of i n t e r n a t i o n a l a c tivities and we hope you will c o m e and take part. Some activities in the pipeline: (1) A visit to Hampton C o u r t P a l a c e . T h i s r e a l l y is a little i n t r o d u c t i o n t o w h a t t h e r e is to b e s e e n i n B r i t a i n and the British w a y of life. A s s u c h t h e p a l a c e v i s i t is to be f o l l o w e d by a visit to English families who have k i n d l y offered to e n t e r t a i n us at t h e i r e v e n i n g m e a l : — T e a , English style. Only 2 5 places a r e a v a i l a b l e . If y o u a r e i n terested please contact me s o o n (see b e l o w ) . There w i l l be no charges except for t r a n s p o r t a n d e n t r a n c e fee to the Palace, approx. £1. T h e t r i p is o n S a t u r d a y , 20th October, leave I.C. U ni on A r c h at 1 2 . 3 0 p.m. (2) T r i p to G r e e n w i c h to see the O l d Royal Observatory, etc., 3rd November, leave Union A r c h 10 a.m. Y o u m a y be s u s p i c i o u s of the motives b e h i n d this gest u r e . It i s n ' t u s u a l f o r F e l i x to carry articles like this. T h e r e a s o n is just the s a m e as that which motivated Fred Crittenden to initiate international students' activities throughout the British Isles. T h e r e a s o n is a five l e t t e r w o r d , A G A P E . It i s a five letter w o r d first introduced b y J e s u s . It means love.

Agape means that whatever m a y be the c i r c u m s t a n ces and events around us there is still a place in our mind for the welfare of others. W e do believe that t h e r e is a lot w e c a n l e a r n from each other, as we share our cultures. I.C. is culb l e s s e d w i t h so m a n y t u r e s , a n d s u c h d i v e r s i t y of nationalities that only agape, the selfless concern for o t h e r s , c a n t r u l y b r i n g u s together. O n e thing that we are experiencing in the "Christ i a n U n i o n " is t h e o v e r f l o w of this a g a p e — l o v e amongst ourselves. W e are not surp r i s e d t h a t t h i s is s o , bec a u s e our leader and Lord Jesus, d i d not only introduce the w o r d but p r o m i s e s that h e w o u l d s e n d it a s a g i f t t o his people. W e do thank him f o r it. T h e n a t u r e of a g a p e — l o v e i s s u c h t h a t it c a n b e s h a r e d , a n d t h i s is the reason why without any other m o t i v e s w e are s a y i n g that a n y b o d y w h o w a n t s to take part in our i n t e r n a t i o n a l stud e n t s ' a c t i v i t i e s is very w e l come.

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COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE TO THE TENTH WORLD FESTIVAL OF DEMOCRATIC YOUTH REPORTS BACK As a representative of ICU (elected by council) I took part in The 10th World Festival of Youth and Students which was held in East Berlin, the Capital of the German Democratic Republic. The festival did not receive much coverage from the press so I will start my report by explaining briefly the historical background of the Festival. In 1 9 4 5 after t h e w a r , 4 3 7 r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of 3 0 m i l l i o n y o u n g p e o p l e f rom 6 3 countries m e t in L o n d o n at t h e i n a u g u r a l c o n g r e s s o f a n international youth organisation, w h i c h w a s to be c a l l e d W o r l d F e d e r a t i o n of Democratic Youth ( W F D Y ) .

Friendship The a i m of this Organisation w a s to unite a l l democratic a n d progressive youth in the w o r l d in a c o m m o n fight against w a r , f a s c i s m , imperiali s m a n d o p p r e s s i o n . A t the c o n f e r e n c e the delegates p l e d g e d to " e r a d i c a t e a l l t r a c e s of f a s c i s m a n d c r e a t e a deep and lasting friendship between a l l p e o p l e s o n e a r t h " a n d to " K e e p a just a n d l a s t i n g p e a c e a n d fight against poverty, exploitation a n d u n e m p l o y m e n t " . T h e delegates further a g r e e d o n a p r o g r a m m e of a c t i o n f o r the W F D Y a n d i t s t a r t e d its w o r k i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r w a r d s . F r o m t h e start the W F D Y took several initiatives, b u t the m o s t i m p o r t a n t w a s the o r g a n i s a t i o n at t h e first f e s t i v a l i n P r a g u e in 1 9 4 7 . S i n c e then the w o r l d festiv a l s have b e e n a r e c u r r i n g f e a t u r e .

Unity T h e first f e s t i v a l , i n w h i c h 1 7 , 0 0 0 p e o p l e f r o m 7 2 c o u n t r i e s t o o k part, s h o w e d the determination a n d unity o f w i d e l a y e r s of y o u n g p e o p l e t o f i g h t a g a i n s t a l l f o r m s of f a s c i s m a n d to r e b u i l d a p e a c e f u l w o r l d after

t h e d e s t r u c t i o n of the w a r . In s p i t e of different p o l i t i c a l c o n v i c t i o n s , r e l i g i o u s b e l i e f s a n d different s y s t e m s o f society several fruitful d i s c u s s i o n s and solidarity meetings were h e l d . From these emerged the feeling of u n i t y w h i c h w a s to c h a r a c t e r i s e a l l successive festivals.

Solidarity The participants at the first festival also c o n d e m n e d the " T r u m a n D o c t r i n e " o f t h e P r e s i d e n t of t h e U S A w h o w a s responsible for dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima a n d N a g a s a k i . S i n c e then ten W o r l d Festivals have been held a n d the main s l o g a n s of t h e s e h a v e c h a n g e d i n accordance with the international s i t u a t i o n . A l t h o u g h t h e latter h a s c h a n g e d s i n c e that f i r s t f e s t i v a l , t h e n e e d to h o l d t h e m is a s g r e a t a s e v e r . The U S imperialist aggression in V i e t n a m has been defeated, b u t the v i c t o r y i s n o t y e t t o t a l , it Is s t i l l n e c e s sary to organise international s o l i d a r i t y f o r the r i g h t of the V i e t n a m e s e p e o p l e to s e l f - d e t e r m i n a t i o n , f o r t h e implementation of the Paris Agreem e n t a n d f o r t h e l i b e r a t i o n of 2 0 0 , 0 0 0 p o l i t i c a l p r i s o n e r s h e l d in T h i e u ' s j a i l s . In A f r i c a , P o r t u g a l is m a s s a c r i n g the A f r i c a n s w i t h w e a p o n s s u p p l i e d b y N A T O , liberation movements such as t h e P A I G C a n d F R E L I M O a r e actively involved in warfare against P o r t u g a l . In S o u t h A f r i c a a n d R h o desia the apartheid regimes are supp r e s s i n g t h e m a j o r i t y of t h e p o p u l a t i o n w i t h t h e b a c k i n g of b i g B r i t i s h and American companies.

Peace A l l t h i s s h o w s that t h e f o r c e s of i m p e r i a l i s m a r e s t i l l very s t r o n g a n d it i s t h e r e f o r e v i t a l that a l l a n t i imperialist forces should b e united in a w i d e offensive against these rea c t i o n a r y f o r c e s . It i s in t h e c r e a t i o n of t h i s u n i t y that t h e f e s t i v a l s n o w can play a n important role. T h e main s l o g a n of t h e T e n t h F e s t i v a l w a s t h u s

" F o r anti-Imperialist solidarity, peace and friendship".

w e r e held at t he university, Apart f r o m that there w e r e s e p a r a t e p r o grammes for students, young workers, cultural workers a n d sportsmen and women. T o give a n example, over 6 0 different events w e r e organised for one day, not including the d i s c o s , p o p f e s t i v a l s a n d other f o r m s of free e n t e r t a i n m e n t w h i c h w e n t o n , d a y a n d night. Delegations spent c o n siderable time in d i s c u s s i o n s w i t h other d e l e g a t i o n s , a n d t h e s e f o r m e d s o m e of t h e m o s t r e l e v a n t p a r t s o f t h e festival.

Christian The British delegation for the Festival w a s organised b y a c o m m i t t e e d r a w n f r o m w i d e s e c t i o n s of t h e Youth a n d Student movements, ranging f r o m t h e Y o u n g L i b e r a l s t o t h e Y o u n g C o m m u n i s t League, from the N U S to t h e S t u d e n t C h r i s t i a n M o v e ment. T h e only conditions for participating w a s agreement on the main s l o g a n of t h e f e s t i v a l .

If you're a full-time student we make you this offer. Your own bank account, which we'll run for you. Free of charge. (Provided, of course, you stay in credit). What's the catch? There's no catch. It's just that as a full-time student, living on a' grant, you're going to need all the help you can get with organising your finances. And we at the Midland are prepared to give that help. But that's not alL

Opportunist I have spent s o m u c h space c o m • menting on what m a y seem a relatively minor incident in the context of the f e s t i v a l f o r t w o r e a s o n s . O n e is that s o m e g r o u p s w i t h i n t h e N U S are using these incidents t o wage struggle against some members of t h e N U S e x e c u t i v e w h o w e r e p r e s e n t at the f e s t i v a l . T h e s e g r o u p s a r e •not s o m u c h c o n c e r n e d a b o u t g a y r i g h t s to w h i c h t h e e x e c u t i v e i s a l ready firmly c o m m i t t e d as about k i c k i n g s o m e i n d i v i d u a l s o u t of t h e executive. These kinds o f opportunistic tactics must be firmly resisted b e c a u s e they c o u l d d o h a r m to t h e N U S as a whole, specially now when the N U S is i n v o l v e d i n t h e g r a n t s c a m p a i g n a n d t h e m a x i m u m d e g r e e of unity a n d involvement is essential.

Diplomatic O n t h e 2 7 t h A u g u s t the d e l e g a t i o n departed for B e r l i n . T h e trip w a s not uneventful. West German border P o l i c e forced, w i t h no apparent reas o n , s o m e Iraqi s t u d e n t s o n t h e d e l e g a t i o n to l e a v e t h e t r a i n w i t h t h e i r luggage. This w a s quickly stopped by the p l o y of m a k i n g half t h e d e l e g a t i o n l e a v e t h e train a n d l e a v i n g t h e other h a l f i n s i d e , m e a n i n g t h a t t h e West Germans c o u l d not m o v e the train without splitting up the delegation a n d m a k i n g themselves some d i p l o m a t i c trouble w i t h the G D R . T h e action proved t o b e effective, a n d t e n m i n u t e s later t h e Iraqis w e r e released.

Co-operation W e received a tremendous welcome in Berlin. T h e festival, w i t h 3 0 , 0 0 0 participants from 1 0 4 countries participating, w a s amazingly well-organised. There w a s a special topic for each day, such a s " S o l i d a r ity w i t h the p e o p l e s of I n d o - C h i n a " or " T h e S t r u g g l e f o r p e a c e , international security a n d co-operation", around w h i c h the day's programme centred. Solidarity Meetings and Cultural p r o g r a m m e s w e r e o r g a n i s e d o n o p e n a i r s t a g e s in s e v e r a l parts o f the t o w n , a n d l e c t u r e s , s e m i n a r s , c o l l o q u i a a n d other m e e t i n g s , w h e r e part i c i p a n t s c o u l d freely e x c h a n g e v i e w s ,

Low

Taxes

The delegates alas h a d a m p l e o p p o r t u n i t y t o s e e f o r t h e m s e l v e s 'how a socialist system works. Th e British Press (with a f e w exceptions) h a d brought out reports about the d i s a s t r o u s s i t u a t i o n of t h e e c o n o m y o f t h e G D R , h o w the S t a t e h a d b r a i n w a s h e d its y o u n g p e o p l e i n s p e c i a l c a m p s b e f o r e the f e s t i v a l s o t h a t t h e y w o u l d b e a b l e to m i x w i t h r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of the s o - c a l l e d free w o r l d . However, w e s a w n o t h i n g of that. W h a t w e s a w was a rich country w i t h a n active, open-minded population, w h o seemed to t a k e g r e a t i n t e r e s t i n w h a t w a s happening in.the world a n d w h o d i d not s e e m to suffer f r o m a n y h a r d s h i p or l a c k of f r e e d o m a s t h e B r i t i s h establishment defines it. U s u a l l y when people from the west go t o s o c i a l i st countries they report o n h o w they c o u l d e x c h a n g e m o n e y o n t h e black market, a n d h o w people c a m e u p t o t h e m a n d a s k e d if t h e y c o u l d buy clothes, etc. B u t the shops w e r e f u l l , a n d n o p e o p l e seeme'd to b e l a c k ing. T h e average wage in the G D R is o n l y s l i g h t l y h i g h e r t h a n here, b u t t h i s d o e s n o t take a c c o u n t of t h e g o o d social services, very l o w taxes a n d lower prices than here.

2. Our booklet. The second part of our offer is our free booklet - 'How a cheque book works'. Call at any Midland Branch. The booklet and the account are there, both yours for the asking.

BRITISH DELEGATION IN EAST BERLIN c i p a n t s ; in fact, q u i t e t h e c o n t r a r y . A group of C h r i s t i a n D e m o c r a t s t u d e n t s f r o m W e s t ' B e r l i n h a d c o m e to t h e f e s t i v a l w i t h t h e a i m of d i s t r i b u t i n g anti-socialist leaflets a n d discussing such matters w i t h people in the street. T h i s g a v e r i s e to s o m e v i o l e n t d i s c u s s i o n s , but there w e r e n o m o v e s to stop t h e m . U n f o r t u n a t e l y t h e B r i t i s h delegation were handicapped s i n c e the a r g u m e n t s w e n t o n i n G e r m a n , a n d o n l y very f e w s p o k e that 'language. B u t m a n y of u s m a d e c o n tact with English-speaking Germans, m a n y of w h o m i n v i t e d u s t o their homes.

Freedom Violent There were no attempts b y the GDR to p r e v e n t contact between young G e r m a n s a n d the foreign parti-

FREE F R O M MIDLAND BANK Vfour account

rumour which went round before the vote took p l a c e . It i s s u p p o s e d t o h a v e s a i d that t h e p l a c a r d r e a d " G D R persecutes homosexuals". However, I d i d n o t he a r that r u m o u r . I cannot c o m m e n t about what happ e n e d after t h i s p o i n t a s I h a d t o t a k e a n e a r l i e r t r a i n t o g o to S w i t z e r l a n d . .

The p u r p o s e o f t h e F e s t i v a l w a s s u m m e d u p i n 'the m a i n s l o g a n . It m u s t have b e e n a n e n o r m o u s e n c o u r a g e m e n t f o r the r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s of t h e l i b e r a t i o n m o v e m e n t s in A f r i c a a n d I n d o - C h i n a w h o a r e i n v o l v e d in a w a r to g a i n their f r e e d o m t o s e e y o u n g people from a l l over the w o r l d a c tively expressing their solidarity w i t h t h e m a n d s h o w that t h e y w e r e n o t a l o n e . It w a s c e r t a i n l y a great e n c o u r a g e m e n t to u s m o r e f o r t u n a t e p e o p l e to s e e a n d m e e t p e o p l e i n v o l v e d i n greater y e t s i m i l a r s t r u g g l e s to o u r o w n . It is n o w t h e d u t y of a l l t h e o r g a n i s a t i o n s w h o s u p p o r t e d t h e fest i v a l to u s e t h e e x p e r i e n c e s g a i n e d f r o m there to s t r e n g t h e n t h e a n t i imperialist solidarity movement in t h e i r c o u n t r i e s . T h e fact that m a n y different organisations participated m a k e it p o s s i b l e to b r o a d e n t h e b a s i s of that s t r u g g l e a n d i n v o l v e y e t m o r e p e o p l e . T h e w o r k of t h e T e n t h F e s t i v a l is n o t o v e r , f o r the ' d i s c u s s i o n and cooperation must go o n a n d w a y s of c a r r y i n g o u t t h e m a i n s l o g a n m u s t be f o u n d .

Stalinist Last w e e k a n a r t i c l e u n d e r t h e h e a d i n g " S t a l i n i s t m e a n i n g of free d i s c u s s i o n " appeared in Felix, the a r t i c l e dealt w i t h w h a t h a p p e n e d t o P. Tatdhell, a G I F representative o n t h e B r i t i s h d e l e g a t i o n d u r i n g t h e fest i v a l . It t u r n e d o u t t o b e a n a l l o u t a t t a c k o n t h e t e n t h f e s t i v a l . A s a part i c i p a n t at t h e f e s t i v a l w h o a c t u a l l y t h i n k s that t h e r e w a s f r e e d o m o f s p e e c h in B e r l i n a n d h e n c e a " S t a l i n i s t " , there a r e a f e w p o i n t s that I w o u l d like to r a i s e .

Harassment

Midland Bank A G R E A T BRITISH B A N K meets any financial need... anywhere

T h e e d i t o r of i F e l i x W h o I b e l i e v e w r o t e the article forgot t o mention that the F D R is o n e of the countries W i t h the m o s t progressive legislation on homosexuals as P. Tatchell

in h i s report recognises. Homos e x u a l s have f u l l c i v i l r i g h t s . A l l k i n d s of d i s c r i m i n a t i o n a g a i n s t h o m o s e x u a l s is f o r b i d d e n a c c o r d i n g to t h e law a n d this is vigorously enforced. It i s true that e q u a l i t y b e f o r e t h e l a w d o e s n o t a u t o m a t i c a l l y m e a n that a l l deeply rooted prejudices against homosexuals have disappeared. This m i g h t e x p l a i n the h a r a s s m e n t that T a t c h e l l w a s s u b j e c t to o n t w o o r three o c c a s i o n s . B u t o n e c a n n o t d e n y that h o m o s e x u a l s i n the G D R h a v e a m u c h better p o s i t i o n than here. P. Tatchell also recognises this in h i s r e p o r t w h e n he s a y s that o n m a n y o c c a s i o n s h i s leaflets were very w e l l received a n d openly d i s c u s s e d b y young Germans.

a g r e e that t h i s w o u l d a p p l y to t h e •relationship b e t w e e n heterosexuals, in fact I t h i n k it w o u l d a p p l y t o a n y k i n d of i n t e r p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p . T h e a r t i c l e further q u o t e s P . T a t chell. "People were punched, kicked, clothes were ripped etc. a n d threats m a d e upon m y life." What actually h a p p e n e d w a s t h a t P . T a t c h e l l refuse d to a b i d e b y t h e d e c i s i o n of t h e d e l e g a t i o n a n d that a g r o u p of p e o p l e therefore went i n t o action a n d ripp e d t h e p l a c a r d to p i e c e s . T h e v i o lence he speaks about lasted about 3 0 sees, a n d from w h e r e I stood (about 1 5 y a r d s f r o m P . T a t c h e l l ) it d i d n ' t l o o k a s if a n y b o d y ' s s a f e t y , o r for that m a t t e r , life, w a s t h r e a t e n e d . The article also speaks about a

T h e other r e a s o n i s that t h e i n c i d e n t i s a l s o u s e d b y other g r o u p s t o attack the festival as a whole, a n d thereby divert the attention away f r o m t h e a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t a s p e c t of t h e festival. T h e article w h i c h appeared in F e l i x last w e e k w a s s u c h a n e x a m p i e of that t a c t i c . A r t i c l e s a t t a c k i n g the f e s t i v a l h a v e , n o t s u r p r i s i n g i y , c o m e f r o m t h e E x p r e s s , the D a i l y Telegraph a n d other Fleet Street p a p e r s w h o s e r e l a t i o n s to B i g B u s i ness are too well know n. But I must a d m i t that I h a d n ' t e x p e c t e d F e l i x t o join ranks w i t h these papers. I k n o w that t h e e d i t o r l i k e s to c a l l h i m s e l f a young socialist, but his consistent attack o n the anti-imperialist movement makes m e doubt what his true RENATO EZBAN colours are.

Civil Rights The article g o e s o n to s a y what h a p p e n e d t o P. T a t c h e l l a n d h i s p l a card w h i c h read " H o m o s e x u a l Liberation — Revolutionary H o m o s e x u a l s Support S o c i a l i s m " a n d o n the other side " G a y Liberation Front, London. Civil Rights F o r H o m o s e x u a l s " in G e r m a n . W h a t h a p p e n e d w a s that a m a j o r i t y of t h e d e l e g a t i o n d i d n o t w a n t t h i s p l a c a r d t o be s e e n w i t h t h e British contingent.

Diversion T h i s d o e s n o t m e a n that the majority w e r e a g a i n s t G a y R i g h t s , b u t rather that t h e m a j o r i t y t h o u g h t that the w h o l e i s s u e of h o m o s e x u a l s at a n anti-imperialist festival w a s a diversion f r o m t h e essential question. Perh a p s t h i s m a j o r i t y t h o u g h t that h o m o sexuals d o not form a special group in s o c i e t y s u p p r e s s e d b y i m p e r i a l i s m , so that n e i t h e r d o g a y s a u t o m a t i c a l l y form a group w h i c h supports sociali s m n o r d o e s the f i g h t f o r G a y R i g h t s b e c o m e a n a n t i - i m p e r i a l i s t fight a n y more than the fight for a more open a n d free r e l a t i o n s h i p b e t w e e n heteros e x u a l s i s . T h e text of t h e p l a c a r d a l s o s e e m s to r e c o g n i s e t h i s . It r e a d s "Revolutionary Homosexuals Support S o c i a l i s m " and not only " H o m o s e x u a l s S u p p o r t , e t c . " S o if t h i s is t h e c a s e w h y b r i n g i n the i s s u e of h o m o s e x u a l s , a s it c a n o n l y a c t a s a d i v e r sion.

Punched A leaflet w h i c h P. T a t c h e l l d i s t r i buted read, " R a d i c a l homosexuals are c o m m i t t e d to a s o c i a l i s t r e v o l u t i o n b e c a u s e it a l o n e g i v e s t h e p o t e n t i a l to r e v o l u t i o n i s e i n t e r p e r s o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s ; to l i b e r a t e t h e m f r o m e c o n o m i c restraint, a n d exploitation b y c a p i t a l i s m " . Here again w e see the w o r d r a d i c a l i n front of h o m o s e x u a l s . I a m a l s o s u r e that a n y r n a r x i s t w o u l d

JUBILANT GIRL CALLS FOR DEFEAT OF IMPERIALISTS

Fage 6

FELIX

O c t o b e r I6tb. 1973

omebody should do something about students. Barclays have. We're offering students free account handling (no bank charges so long as you're not in the red); free lecture note folder, pad and ballpoint; free help and advice on money problems.

YOU'LL GET A HELPING H A N D AT B A R C L A Y S .

FELIX

O c i w b w 16th, 1973

Page 7

0MM0DAT10N CRISi

! REVIEWS 1

160 B r i s t o l F r e s h e r s

3IIIIIIIIIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIinillM

THE ANCIENT SUN KINGDOMS OF T H E AMERICAS

Hagen In t h i s b o o k v o n paints a n evocative mental image of the A z t e c s , Incas and the M a y a s by his beautifully d e t a i l e d a c c o u n t s of their e v e r y d a y life a n d the forces and drives which shaped these great civilisations w h o s e origin stretch to about 2000 B.C. back when the Greeks were active in T r o y . Von Hagen has drawn on m a n y years of s t u d y of their surviving Art a n d Architecture a l t h o u g h m u c h w a s s y s by tematically destroyed B i s h o p Diego de Landa for religious reasons w h o also fortunately took notes. The staple diet of these was maize upon peoples which they were utterly dependent, a b a d maize harvest meaning widespread famine. all to

T h i s o n e fact m e a n t that possible steps were taken a good harvest ensure

" G R E N D E L " by J o h n G a r d n e r Picador 40p T h e a u t h o r of t h i s u n u s u a l novel, we are informed by the i n s i d e c o v e r , is a t e a c h e r of O l d a n d M i d d l e E n g l i s h at S o u t h e r n I l l i n o i s U n i v e r sity. S o p e r h a p s w e s h o u l d be surprised that he not should take the epic p o e m of Beowulf as a very loose framework for this h i s third novel. (A cynic might note how fortunate s o m e people are to b e a b l e t o t r a n s m u t e workday drudge / bewitchment into p e c u n i a r y reward.) However, a very loose framebeing w o r k it i s , t h e n o v e l told entirely from the m i n d and experiences of one of Beowulf's v i c t i m s — t h e monster C i r e n d e l .

THE

ALEPH A N D

OTHER

STORIES

toy Jorge L u i s Borges (published by P a n ) B o t h book and a u t h o r arc recommended. He is an Argentinian scholar writer who m a y yet receive a N o b e l prize. These short stories are the fruits b o r n of lengthy study by the a u t h o r Bather t h a n an imaginative exercise. T h a t is not to say t h e y are d e v o i d of i m a g i n a t i o n , tout Borges uses his i n v e n t i v e p o w e r to weave h i s theme into a story. H i s themes are often d r a w n from the philosophies and religions of the w o r l d both ancient and modern. The story is m a n i p u l a t e d as a vehicle to realise h i s idea. In p u r s u i t of t h i s Borges disregards description and

GREEN

well

neatly.

thought

The

a 'small

girl. an

The

young

Italian

over

the

character development not c e n t r a l t o h i s 'purpose. lit f o l lows he does not feel b o u n d to represent society as it i s and h i s c h a r a c t e r s are n o t c o n s t r a i n e d to r e a l i t y . T h e product of all this is never more than ia dozen pages. B o r g e s ' attitude therefore produces a concise m a t h emati cal style r e q u i r i n g caref u l r e a d i n g t o appreciate the almost endless allusions. For those familiar with Borge however w i l l find this w o r k easier reading t h a n his earlier p u b l i c a t i o n s as a result of a new a p p r o a c h to the translations w h i c h he has pers o n a l l y dissected.

Steeleyespan Oct. 8, Royal Albert Hall

T h e book leaves the reader with sympathy and understanding f o r concepts from f o r e i g n cultures he p r e v i o u s l y felt, f r o m .logical necessity, alien to h i m .

Greg Burland.

presence a

hint

thing

S.P.H.

M a g i c as ever from M a d d y Prior, T i m Hart a n d C o . filled the ornated hall. Their rend e r i n g c o n t i n u e s to lift a u d i ences hearts a n d faces to ecstatic shouts a n d cries, no wonder they have progressed to Britain's most popular folk-rock group a n d seemingly i m p r o v e a t e v e r y i d y l l i c l y performed concert. Maddy's pure voice reduces the vastness of the d o m e to a pitiful size. S h e creates, expands a n d fulfils all in o n e c o m p l e t e performance. A beautiful, c o m p a c t programme of traditional jigs, yet still retaining perfection, that ever popular, powerfully moving J a c o b e a n melo d y w a s a joy to experience. Steeleyespan has the quality o f i m m e n s e v a r i a t i o n a n d only few groups c a n move through moods created by

present c o n s i d e r i n g its p o s i tion o n b u i l d i n g Halts of Residence. Students must show quite clearly by stating their o p i n i o n in g e n e r a l meetings and demonstrations, that crisis conditions are not conducive to satisfactory acad e m i c life. W e m u s t press the U . G . C . to b u i l d m o r e a c commodation and do so by p r o v i d i n g at least 7 5 per cent of t h e c o s t , n o t 2 5 p e r c e n t a s it d o e s a t p r e s e n t . L o a n charges s h o u l d not be tolerated by students a n d nor should we allow our acad e m i c life t o be s o u r e d by these deplorable conditions of life a n d l o w e r l i v i n g s t a n of dards than the majority the p o p u l a t i o n enjoy.

UNION COUNCIL STATEMENT A t t h e f i r s t m e e t i n g o i the Union Council on Monday, 8th October, the following resolution was passed unanimously: "This Union Council reco g n i s e s t h a t , u l t i m a t e l y , it i s the Government's responsibility to provide a c c o m m o d a tion for all students a n d that the University s h o u l d m a k e representations to the U . G . C . to a b o l i s h l o a n - f i n a n c i n g of student residences. However, in t h e s h o r t - t e r m , w e r e c o g n i s e t h a t it i s t h e r e s p o n s i bility of the University to offer suitable accommodation for living a n d studying for all students it gives places to. This Council de-

which

mands a reduction in the charges being levied on students living in emergency a c c o m m o d a t i o n in Halls. Union Council condemns the h o u s i n g of students in the present unsuitable temporary a c c o m m o d a t i o n . U n til the University is in a position to p r o v i d e decent permanent accommodation recogfor a l l s t u d e n t s , w e n i s e t h a t it h a s t w o a l t e r n a tives: 1.

To house students in empty University Property T o p l a c e s t u d e n t s in suitable temporary accommodation, for example, hotels, a n d subsidise any cost, so that the p a y m e n t shall be commensurate with the Board a n d Lodging e l e m e n t i n t h e c u r r e n t student grant.

of this In furtherance policy, w e endorse the action of a l l s t u d e n t squatters in empty property, especially in property o w n e d by the University. We will send a Union Council delegation, that i s , three S a b b a t i c a l Officers plus N o r m a n Peterken, to put this p o l i c y t o t h e U n i v e r s i t y . If the University does not a c t on this policy by the date of the next U.G.M. (Oct. 11th at 8 p.m.) then the U . G . M . should consider some f o r m of direct acti on against the U n i v e r s i t y . Released by Union Council 8th O c t o b e r . 1 9 7 3 .

presents for y o u r edification 16th October Chemistry Freshers D i n n e r College Block 18th October Physics Freshers' Dinner 1

such varieties as Georgian charts, a lively colourful statistical encore of 1950's beat rock c o m p l e t e w i t h w e l l greased costumary, a n d the happy Sha Na Na co-ordinat i o n s in s o n g w i t h s u c h prec i s i o n a n d effect. T h e group's latest a c q u i s i tion of musical talent is drummer come flautist/oboist Nigel Pegrum, who adds a little m o r e s p a r k l e to a n a l ready stunning act. The supporting act, Horslips, showed themselves as a group with amazing instrumental potential. They produced a rounded performa n d the final reel, ance, Johnny's W e b w a s an excellent e n d i n g to a fine a t t e m p t , among such overpowering ability from Span. Overall, their Irish influenced m u s i c w a s w a r m to the spirit, a n d I w a s very impressed by their relaxing sounds.

Pat

College Block 1

E L E C T R O N I C

MUSIC

C R O U P

For

a l l those interested there will be a Meeting i n

H A L D A N E

L I B R A R Y

Gorman

base

at 7.30 on Thursday,

international

w h i c h was

livens

the

a bit

over-

done, i t h i n k . Surprises

mill to an-

regularly of

popped

Jazz-Rock Don Welter's MAJOR SURGERY

u s u a l l y at

suspense.

There's

the

add

even

in end the

graph.

from

all

readable,

Overall

place

and

soon

all

joyable

it's an

interesting

Sat.

20th

Oct.

en-

book.

Stuart Castledine

contact J . G r i f f i n v i a the Physics

Biology

Common

Room,

8.00,

35p

noon]

easily

and

for further information

;

quite

a big surprise i n the last para-

previous-,

rounded up.

are

chapter

out

the suspects are

So summarising: black, sparkling in the twist a n d turns around Grendel's character, with a w i t a n d cynicism that perhaps are t o o shallow to be lasting. Cert a i n l y w o r t h c o n s i d e r a t i o n if you have 4 0 pence a n d a t w o - h o u r t r a i n r i d e to s p a r e .

LONG TEiRM S O L U T I O N The Vice-Chancellor has explained that the University Grants Committee, which finances U n i v e r s i t i e s , is at

floors

nearby

f a l l i n g over each other, some-

drop

other g i r l t w o years ly.

Clues

similar

murder

Webbeb

m e a n t to b e o b s e r v e d . ) " T h e novel, of course, only takes the B e o w u l f story to the death of Grendel, but on this journey the author paints a wry, humorous picture. W e see the c h i l d h o o d innocent Grendel having a lesson on time and existence a condescending and from paternalistic dragon. A n d in the scene in w h i c h G r e n d e l faces U n f e r t h , hero of H r o t h gar's tribe, w e a r e left in n o doub t at a l l that o u r monster is t h e a n t i - h e r o t o e n d a l l anti-heroes.

Yorkshire

death i s

unsolved

Philip

local

town are f a c e d -with the m u r der

T h i s b o o k is full of s u c h fascinating insights a n d unsolved mysteries, all being well illustrated with about 30 0 black and white pictures in 3 5 1 p a g e s , a g o o d i n d e x bibliography and chronoligical table completing the book as a reference source. Thoroughly recommended.

W e enter the story at G r e n del's eleventh year of his 'war' against the Dane King Hrothgar, a n d , by a combination of chatty flashbacks and sequential advancement, Cirendel expands his thoughts on the monsterman-world relationship. Thus we see the heathen world of t h e s e D a n e m e n t h r o u g h the s e m i - i s o l a t e d eyes of o u r thinking monster. The meadsodden boasts and blindp o e m - b a t t l e s a p p e a r in relief against the thoughts of t h e 'natural' narrator—"Not, of course, that I fool myself w i t h t h o u g h t s that I'm m o r e noble. Pointless, ridiculous m o n s t e r c r o u c h e d in t h e s h a d o w s , s t i n k i n g of d e a d m e n , murdered children, martyred cows (I a m n e i t h e r proud nor ashamed, understand. One mere dull victim leering at s e a s o n s t h a t w e r e never

clumsy policemen, continually a

W H A T IS ' H O M E ? a special University In n e w s l e t t e r , it w a s s t a t e d t h a t the s u p p l y of t e m p o r a r y a c commodation had increased and " n o student need be homeless". However, we must be quite certain tnat a h o m e is s o m e t h i n g p e r m a nent w h i c h c a n provide the basic a n d necessary ameniof living which, for ties students, includes adequate bookshelves a n d a d e s k to work at. T h e accommodat i o n c r i s i s is still w i t h u s a n d will remain with us so long as there are students sleeping o n f l o o r s , I'iVing i n c u p boards and greenhouses, as s o m e are at present. From the p r e s e n t rate of s u p p l y f o r s u i t a b l e homes, w e can judge that the crisis w i l l continue for at least the rest of the term.

sleeping

story up a h i t . T h e police are

out plot w h i c h u n f o l d s neatly, police

Von Hagen shows that these civilisations had a high level of intellectual achievement although in s o m e respects they h a d some rather or interesting weaknesses blind spots. For example the wheel w a s known a n d used for c h i l d r e n ' s toys but never for t r a n s p o r t w h i c h w a s nearly a l l m a n u a l . I n c a m a s o n r y involved using blocks of stone w e i g h i n g h u n d r e d s of p o u n d s s h a p e d to very fine limits but the true a r c h w a s never discovered. A l l bridges or w i n d o w s used one vast supporting block spanning the gap. Their a s t r o n o m i c a l w a s highly a d knowledge v a n c e d to the extent that the Mayas had a congress in AD 6 9 5 to correct their c a l endars. Communications by

p o r t r a y e d as a b a n d of b u r l y ,

This short novel by Stanley

too

The factor w h i c h contributo their defeat ted greatly w a s a persistent legend that gods w o u l d return across the w a t e r s in a year of I h e e d (meaning I will return) these years, occurred every 52 years in 1 3 6 3 , 1 4 6 7 , 1 5 1 9 etc. Christopher Columbus appeared in 1 5 0 2 a n d Cortes in 1 5 1 9 a n d w h o took full advantage of t h e s i t u a t i o n , and also the rather disorganised fighting tactics employed by his opponents w h o fought around a 20-day cycle and w h o w o u l d s t o p a l l fighting to p l a n t m a i z e .

espionage

Published by Penguin

almost

Thus their superb roads for conquest of neighbouring t r i b e s , a n d t h e i r t e m p l e s , m o n u m e n t s to the hold their religion had upon them.

adds

B o o k s , 30p has

r u n n e r s e v e r y 1^ m i l e s a c h 1 0 0 miles in a d a y ieving with artists employed for graphic detail w h i c h could not b e written w a s unequalled at the time.

high security American

by Stanley H y l a n d

Hyland

these being h u m a n sacrifice to their g o d s , a very good k n o w l e d g e of the seasons to ensure planting at the right times a n d a greed for more agricultural land.

The

GROW THE

TRESSES-O

The University Accommod a t i o n Office h a s said that t h e r e is n o w s u f f i c i e n t e m e r gency accommodation availto provide beds for able those with no permanent lodging. 1 6 0 first-year stud e n t s h a v e h a d to b e g i v e n t e m p o r a r y b e d s in H a l l , a n d the e s t i m a t e d n u m b e r of students apart from these, w h o are improperly housed is 200.

H a g e n P a l a d i n £1.50 P a p e r b a c k

by V . W . V o n It i s r a r e t h a t a m a n w h o is a n e x p e r t i n h i s f i e l d c a n also l u c i d l y c o n v e y h i s k n o w ledge in a s i m p l e b u t a c c u rate m a n n e r .

members,

25 p members

2 Letter-rack

FELIX

Page 8

O c t o b e r 16th, 1973

EDITORIAL In a p e r i o d s u c h a s t h i s , l i k e I s a i d l a s t week, to g o c a p in hand to the Tories, begging for money, is worse than useless f o r w h e n t h e N U S l e a d e r s h i p d o s o , it g i v e s credence to reformist politics w h i c h today are utterly bankrupt.

S o t h e best thing that our elated leadership (Sayles 8- C o . ) c a n o f f e r a b o u t t h e refectory price i n c r e a s e s is t o a c c e p t t h e m , thus going against U n i o n policy.

Muddle

N o d o u b t last S a t u r d a y w e e k a p l a i n t i v e d i d finally arrive, a n d this s e c o n d party, the c h o r u s of ' A l l W e Like S h e e p have G o n e light of e n t h u s i a s m noticeably d i m m e d in A s t r a y ' r a n g o u t o v e r P a r l i a m e n t H i l l F i e l d s t h e i r e y e s , s e t off h a l f a n h o u r late f o r L S E from a flock of f r u s t r a t e d c r o s s c o u n t r y at N e w M a i d e n . N o w , in a l l l i v i n g m e m o r y r u n n e r s w h o h a d b e e n m i s l e d b y a m a l - IC h a v e n e v e r m i s s e d a r a c e ( w h i c h c a n ' t i n f o r m e d U L poster into b e l i e v i n g that t h e be s a i d for U L ) : w e ' v e held u p the start a 1st U L T r i a l w o u l d be held t here. M e a n - few times, but they've never started w i t h the race actually out u s ; in fact w e ' v e even turned up for w h i l e , at Hayes, where despite w a s , IC c o m p o s e d n o less than 1 5 of t h e races that d i d n ' t exist. T h i s t i m e , we 34-strong U L side taking on Blackheath some hard praying by certain people, against h a r r i e r s . It's difficult t o find sufficient s u p e r - a l s o g o t t h e r e i n t i m e . T h e r a c e , latives for t h i s c o u r s e . . . there w e r e lots four other t e a m s , w a s w o n b y S t . M a r y ' s of g o r s e b u s h e s , p l o u g h , h i l l s , n e t t l e s a n d , C o l l e g e , W i t h IC s e c o n d d u e t o o u r h u g e of c o u r s e , m i l e s ( a p p a r e n t l y m o s t o f t h e m t u r n o u t ( w h i c h a l s o u p s e t LSlE's p l a n f o r and many splendid performances inuphill, a n d several of them between t h e tea) changing rooms a n d the start). Blackheath cluding one from A l f w h o even beat C a p ' n R o b . beat U L by some 1 0 0 0 points to 1 5 0 0 , a n d e v e r y b o d y f r o m IC d i d very w e l l . . . e x c e p t Despite their vast numbers i n the race, P a d a n d Dave J w h o were last-but-one a n d last-but-two, p r o f e s s i n g that they d i d n ' t w a n t the F r e s h e r s w e r e n o t i c e a b l y absent at t h e to d i s c o u r a g e the freshers by d o i n g t o o w e l l . e v e n i n g festivities i n t h e U n i o n , m i s s i n g a P a d , of course, w a s only there for t h e beer, n o w rare opportunity t o m e e t H u g h , t h o u g h disappointed his t h o u g h h e t r i e d later t o p r o f o u n d other- admittedly he s o m e w h a t w i s e . A n d v e r y c o n v i n c i n g ( i f s a d ) it w a s p a s t f a n s . too.) Those thinking of joining the Cross CounT h e u s u a l o r g a n i s e d m u d d l e o f t h e C r o s s t r y C l u b s h o u l d n o t b e p u t off b y a l l t h i s there Should be s o m e fixture Country C l u b h a s this year been thrown inefficiency: into complete disarray b y the influx of lists soon (apparently t h e B o o k S h o p have a n d P a d says everything s c o r e s of e n t h u s i a s t i c F r e s h e r s . Last W e d - b e e n t o o b u s y ) nesday the unexpected appearance of over should be okay from n o w o n . T o m o r r o w twenty runners, at least s o m e of w h o m (Wednesday) w e go for a slow jog round c o u l d b e d e s c r i b e d a s fit a n d r a r i n g t o g o , o u r c o u r s e i n R i c h m o n d P a r k a n d S a t u r d a y l e d t o s o m e q u i c k r e c a l c u l a t i o n s c o n s i d e r - is t h e o c c a s i o n of t h e U C R e l a y a t P a r l i a ing that w e w e r e expecting a 1 2 - s e a t e r m e n t H i l l w i t h a n a m a z i n g Will t o s p r i n t ( o r down. Everybody welcome. Injuries m i n i b u s a n d a party w a s d i s p a t c h e d v i a roll) B r i t i s h R a i l . M e a n w h i l e those left waited sympathised with. f o r s a i d T r a n s p o r t . A n d w a i t e d . It a n d S t e v e DJ.

BOAT T h e Boat C l u b t h i s year has h a d a large intake of e x p e r i e n c e d o a r s m e n n e w to t h e club. This m a y be d u e to last year's c o n but even this year siderable successes, bodes great achievements. It i s strange when all enemy strokes f r o m t h e faster school crews are n o w apparently amongst our c r e w s . W e have f o r m e d a s q u a d of 2 4 s e n i o r o a r s m e n a l l t r y i n g for t h e first eight, a n d w i t h s u c h a variety of talent, selection will take some time.

Calling all masochistsl Do you enjoy being humiliated by partner's scorn a n d laughed at by onlookers as y o u m i s p l a y yet another hand? Then we're the people y o u should seel T h e bridge room is open every lunchtime for dedicated carvers (sorry, to butcher contracts in c o n g e n i a l players!) s q u a l o r . If y o u e n j o y p l a y i n g w i t h greasy cards, sitting in armless armchairs (most of the legs are still there), this i s for y o u ! ! M o r e seriously, the club tries to promote bridge in t h e college n o t only b y these lunchtime sessions but also with a duplicate pairs session every M o n d a y evening. This carries local points a n d cash prizes for successful pairs. T w o M o nda y evenings later this term will be devoted to a pairs c h a m pionship for which a m u g will be awarded (we h o p e ! ) . T h e s t a n d a r d of p l a y e r s v a r i e s quite widely from really quite good to

A s for Paul Watkins' statement (Letters page 2) that t h e M o r n i n g Star (Stalinist daily paper) calls every day for action is a blatant l i e . against the T o r i e s — t h a t O n t h e d a y of t h e £ 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 fine t h a t t h e NIRC imposed on the A U E W , the " W e S a y " editorial c o l u m n of the Star p r o p o s e d no action whatsoever—'it read more like a n e w s c o l u m n of t h e S u n , rather t h a n t h e daily organ of a w o r k i n g c l a s s organisation in t h e lead of t h e fight a g a i n s t t h e T o r i e s .

if w e sit back a n d accept these increases rtow i n t h e m a n n e r o f N o r m S a y l e s a n d t h e IC C O m m u n l s t P a r t y t h e n w h a t d o w e d o next year w h e n the 1 2 1 per cent increase already suggested is foisted o n u s .

A n d Renato Ezban (centre page spread) T h e s e i n c e r a s e s a r e h i t t i n g us n o w a n d says that t o criticise t h e utter b a n k r u p t c y w e have to u n d e r s t a n d w h y t h e s e are o c - of t h e C o m m u n i s t P a r t y g i v e s n o t i c e o f a l curring before w e have a hope in hell of legiance to the right w i n g . W h a t drivel t h e being able to deal with t h e m . Y S S S in this a n d a l l colleges will take up In s h o r t t h e i m a l n v e h i c l e f o r i n t e r n a t i o n a l t h e s h a r p e s t o f f i g h t s w i t h t h e S t a l i n i s t s , t r a d e — p a p e r m o n e y — h a s v i r t u a l l y c o l l a p s - a n d t h e I M G a n d IS r e v i s i o n i s t s w h o c o v e r ed; producing complete a n a r c h y o n the up for t h e m , w h o propose that w e f o l l o w peaceful road to s o c i a l i s m — w h i c h foreign exchange markets. Speculators have their been unable to m a k e m o n e y o n the stock led t h e 'German, Italian, S p a n i s h , Greek a n d market a n d have m o v e d en m a s s e into the Chilean w o r k i n g classes along the bloody r e a l m o f W h o l e s a l e c o m m o d i t i e s , w h i c h h a s r o a d to f a s c i s m . produced unheard of increases, w h i c h haven't h i t shops yet.

most

refectory The Y S S S says n o to these price increases a n d that Sayles & C o . s h o u l d b e p l e d g e d at o n c e t o m o b i l i s e a l l s t u d e n t s in a c a m p a i g n a g a i n s t t h e s e i n c r e a s e s n o w or resign, a n d further that s u c h a c a m p a i g n s h o u l d a l s o i n c l u d e t h e call f o r i m m e d i a t e and supplementary grants tied to the students 'cost o f l i v i n g , a n d c a n n o t b e d i v o r c e d from the campaign to bring down this government a n d return a labour government p l e d g e d to socialist p o l i c i e s .

T h e c o l l a p s e of paper m o n e y is d u e in e s s e n c e to c o n t r a d i c t i o n s w i t h i n t h e c a p i t a l ist s y s t e m , a n d w a s s i g n a l l e d b y t h e c o l lapse of the B r e t t o n - W o o d s agreement in 1 9 7 1 w h e n N i x o n t o o k t h e d o l l a r off t h e g o l d s t a n d a r d a n d left t h e w o r l d c u r r e n c i e s literally h a n g i n g In m i d - a i r . On a world scale the ruling classes are forced to drive d o w n the living standards of t h e w o r k i n g c l a s s I n a n effort t o inject value into their w o r t h l e s s paper money.

Y S S S meeting Wednesday

M e c h Eng2 1 4

17th Ocotober

1 pm.

1C ENTJ5.

CLUB O u r first c o x l e s s four i n the O p e n event should do creditably, stroked by a n e w American Olympic Triailst a n d Supported by three of the c r e w w h o broke virtually every IV's regatta record at their races d u r i n g the Summer Vacation.

M o r p h y D a y this year will be o n W e d n e s d a y O c t o b e r 2 4 . T h i s , a s m o s t of y o u k n o w , Is the a n n u a l o c c a s i o n w h e r e t h e three c o n s t i t u e n t c o l l e g e s of I.C. p u t f o r w a r d races, three sets of eights for the three The n e w c o m e r s t o the sport at I.C. B . C . M o r p h y , Lowry a n d Rugby. T h i s event takes are showing considerable promise a n d p l a c e o u t s i d e t h e B o a t h o u s e at P u t n e y E m enthusiasm, but w e w e l c o m e competition! bankment a n d although the racing m a y be prime importance to the c o m p e t i t o r s , If t h e r e a r e a n y p e o p l e W h o w o u l d l i k e t o o f else seems more interested i n try the sport please contact Dai Bevan everybody bouncing up a n d down on Putney Bridge Via t h e C h e m i s t r y P . G . letter r a c k . W i t h t h e H e a d o f t h e R i v e r f o r I V s o n l y to find its r e s o n a n t f r e q u e n c y , o r t y i n g u p t e n d a y s a w a y t h e s q u a d h a s s p l i t u p i n t o b u s e s w i t h t h e f a m o u s R o p e . I t ' s a tradif o u r s . W e h a d o u r first o u t i n g i n t r i a l s o n tional e v e n t W h i c h e v e r y o n e o n t h e E m Wednesday, 10 October and found we've bankment expects a n d no one resents it. turned up trumps With a couple of boats. B y We are very Interested in novice trainc h a n c e w e have four very strong o a r s m e n ing as this Is our p r i m e m e a n s of perpetuaw h o have m u c h experience i n racing, b u t ting t h e ©tub, s o i f y o u a r e d o w n for they have only w o n in races shorter than M o r p h y D a y or a n y W e d n e s d a y afternoon the National qualifying course, thus they please a s k f o r either t h e V i c e C a pt a in o r are still able to r o w at a l o w status. N o w C a p t a i n a n d they will gladly give you w e have put these together in a S e n i o r C details. Restricted IV, a n d as w e c a m e 3 r d in Events of the next w e e k : this c l a s s last year w i t h only a reasonably Oct 2 1 — H e a d of the River for IVs. g o o d c r e w , it is a m a i n h o p e for t h e f u t u r e . Oct 2 4 — M o r p h y Day.

BRIDGE

H o w right i s Trevor P h i l l i p s (Letters page 2) in s a y i n g that a c c e p t i n g these Increases simply opens the way for more Increases. The wholesale prices for food shot up over 2i per c e n t l a s t w e e k a n d t h i s rate of i n c r e a s e is itself i n c r e a s i n g . T h a t is w h y the F i n a n c i a l T i m e s c a l i s this a p r e - W e l m a r period.

CLUB abysmal—and if y o u a r e p a r t n e r l e s s we can nearly always pair you with someone of a n a p p r o p r i a t e s t a n d a r d . W e a l s o field five t e a m s in t h e inter-collegiate leagues r u n by U . L . U . This usually involves one or t w o matches a week, sometimes "home", sometimes "away". Last season w a s a successful one, but this year we are short of players. A n y o n e w h o c a n take a finesse h a s a g o o d c h a n c e of playing for the college at some time or other! These matches also carry local points for the w i n n e r s , a n d are pleasant evenings, often starting a n d finishing i n the b a r ! A n y o n e w a n t i n g to k n o w more about the club should contact John Kilner, John Clements, D a v i d G a d d , or M a l c o l m O d d y , one of w h o m is invariably in t h e b r i d g e room at l u n c h t i m e .

HOPS C O N C E R T S Time 8.00 Prices Announced

Later

F r i . 19 O c t . — G O O D H A B I T U n i o n Concert H a l l — 30p Tues 23 O c t —OSIBISA + H E A V Y M E T A L K I D S Great H a l l . — I C Students 50p i n advance F r i . 26 O c t . — Q U E E N . U n i o n Concert H a l l Sat 27th Oct — M A N F R E D M A N N ' S E A R T H B A N D G r e a t H a l l — I C Students 50p i n advance Sat. 17 N o v . R A L P H M c T E L L . G r e a t H a l l Sat. 24 N o v . — B A C K D O O R . Great H a l l . F r i . 30 N o v . — F U M B L E . U n i o n Concert H a l l . Sat. 8 D e c — L I N D I S F A R N E . Great H a l l . F r i . 16 N o v . — C & G C A R N I V A L — A l l night College Block FAIR PORT C O N V E N T I O N + BEES M A K E H O N E Y + M I K E A B S A L O M + D I S C O , etc. F I L M S — F o r times see posters Sat. 20 O c t . — B U T C H C A S S I D Y A N D T H E S U N D A N C E K I D Sat. 27 O c t . — S O L D I E R B L U E + BOB, C A R O L , T E D A N D A L I C E Sat. 3 N o v . — S H A F T Sat. 10 N o v . — L E M A N S Thurs. 22 N o v . — W I L L A R D Sat. 1 D e c — A M A N C A L L E D H O R S E Thurs. 6 D e c — M U S I C L O V E R S Tickets from U N I O N

OFFICE DURING LUNCHTIME.

Registration C a r d needed

F e l i x , N e w s p a p e r of I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e U n i o n . Issue N o . 3 4 2 . Tuesday, 16th October, 1 9 7 3 . Editor, Alasdhair C a m p b e l l . Contributions this week from Greg Burland, Stuart Castledine, Dave Druce, Renato Ezban, Pat Gorman, Dave GribMe, Steve Herman, Simine Kassal, Graham King, Derek Mutungo, N o r m Sayles, Philip W e b beb. Published by the editor for a n d on behalf

for I.C. R E D U C T I O N

of t h e I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e U n i o n P u b l i c a t i o n s Board, Imperial College U n i o n , Prince C o n sort R o a d , L o n d o n S W 7 2 B B . Felix tele01-589 5111 phone n u m b e r s a r e : Office ext. 2 2 2 9 , i n t . 2 8 8 1 . Advertising contracted b y University Press Representation, Grand Buildings, Trafalgar Square, London W C 2 . Printed by F. Bailey a n d S o n L t d . , Dursley, Glos., G L 1 1 4 B L .

The Union Lower Refectory will be

OPEN on Monday, 15th October Published by the Editor for and on behalf of Imperial College Publications Board, Imperial Coll

thanks to Mr. V. J. Mooney lege Union, Prince Consort Road, London S.W.I, and printed by F. Bailey & Son Ltd., Dursley, Glos.