1. Art and Diseño

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Friday, 6th September, 1946
Registered at G.P.C, Brisbane, for
transmission by post as Q uewspaper.
The Chance of a Lifetime
Mr, Menzies' promise of a cut in income tax has received
much publicity, but it is not generally realised that he has also
promised a "review of company tax," and on the question of
price control he has said that his party's policy is "while maintaining price control throughout the transition period, to concentrate major attention upon increasing production," Obviously these two ideas, price control and production, would not
be coupled unless Mr. Menzies favoured relaxation of price
control. This is very interesting, as it shows that the Liberal
Party is basically a manufacturer's party.
company profits, in order to give his
wealthy friends the "chance of a lifetime." What care he if the Social
Service Fund were exhausted in three
The long trip to Melbourne was
years! What care he if he lost the
much enlivened by incidents involvelection in 1949? Three years of exmg a pair of pink bed socks; our
cess profits would put his avid supteen-ager's periodical kit musters inporters into comfortable retirement
dicating one port adrift in Sydney,
for life, and their gratitude to friend
and the same teen-ager unnerving us
Bob would send him across the seas
during the witching hours with a
to collect a peerage, like Lord Bennose for sound; the pre-slumber
nett from Canada, so that Lord Bob
lanoUne treatment by a male memMenzies could talk his "old boy"
ber of the cast and the extreme unpopularity of said male's feet in the Despite claims of widening its supply, and any i-elaxation of price nonsense at Surrey garden parties
communal bed-sitting room. Some membership and bringing in new controls and any lowering of taxa- and charm the dear, dear creatures
people indulge in more exercise blood, the same profiteering ideas tion on companies and on high in- with stories of when he was Prime
asleep than awake,
show through the outer veneer. And comes now, would give manufac- Minister.
Melbourne welcomed us with a let us remember that retailers, who turers undreamt of opportunities for "Review of Company Tax" and re"Blow, blow, thou winter wind," but are the backbone of Liberal Party pocketing enormous profits. Mr. laxation of price controls to "conthe people's welcome was as warm as branches would gain nothing from a Menzies is wide awake to this centrate attention upon increasing
the wind was cold. We dispersed to relaxation of price controls designed "Chance of a Lifetime," and so he production" could, under the present
to "increase production."
and his supporters continuously shout conditions of excess money supply
our biUets,
John "Sad Sack" Florence enjoy- Looking now at the other major that high taxation and "controls" are and lack of competition between selldestroying initiative, hoping to hood- ers, mean a rise of dividends for
ed our first official function by en- p a r t y veloping himself in a cloud of sherry. It is admitted that Labor has no wink enough voters into believing most companies from 5 per cent, to
The S,R.C. and M.U.D.C. were duly monopoly ol the votes of working that industry has been hamstrung by 10 per cent. Relaxation of controls
gratified. Our 'teen-ager. Daphne men and women. In fact, it is ob- Labor. In actual fact, price control on share ceiling prices could mean a
"Slingsby Crumpet" Salisbury, gave vious from election figures that some is arranged to give employers normal doubling of the market value of
out with various histrionic effects, employees vote Liberal and some em- profits, and it can be seen in the shares. There is no taxation on the
graduating from light to heavy with ployers vote Labor, but it must be "BuUetin" or from any other source appreciation of value of shares held
a relative weight of said sherry.
kept in mind that the LABOR of company financial statements, that for more than six years so that even
From Thursday to Saturday we re- PARTY represents ORGANISED EM- in spite of taxation and price control, if income tax remained high, a man
hearsed. On Sunday, those who PLOYEES and the LIBERAL PARTY companies are at present making who bought £100,000 of shares becould visited the Dandenongs in com- is supported by ORGANISED EM- normal profits. Wartime Company fore the war could sell them after the
pany with our hosts and other Var- PLOYERS. There may be outsiders Tax is only assessed on profits in ex- rise of dividends for £200,000, and
in both parties, but an Employers' As- cess of 5 per cent, of paid up capi- paymg no tax on the £ 100,000 profit,
sity players.
the money into secure CommonThe Tasmanian welcome should sociation would no more think of ap- tal, and being assessed according to put
wealth
Bonds or in the Commonthe
PERCENTAGE
OP
PROFIT,
it
have improved the capacity and tech- plying for affiliation with the Labor
wealth
Bank before the inevitable
does
not
discourage
industrial
exParty
than
a
Trade
Union
would
nique of our 'teen-ager. However,
crash.
Boom, caused by the sudden
pansion,
as
would
a
tax
assessed
on
consider
supporting
the
Liberal
Florence was seen lifting tables and
increase
in profits, would probably
leaning on glasses as usual, and pre- Party. Even if Mr, Menzies had not AMOUNT OF PROFIT. Every addi- bring shares
to three or four times
sented with his fixed stare an "An- suggested a "review" of company tax tional pound invested can earn their present prices
before the crash.
reasonable
profits.
and price control, it is obvious that
cient Mariner-like" appearance.
"Slingsby Crumpet" and the col- he has supportei-s who would gain by But the "chance of a lifetime" is
ELECTION TIP.
ourful Cecel Knopke waltzed in a few such a review, whereas Mr. Chifley's something big business would not Those who own large quantities of
like to miss. After all, there may Industrial Shares, VOTE LIBERAL.
clouds during the evening, and later, supporters would lose by it.
it was heard that Cecel, lying on his Now, in previous elections it has not be another war, there may not be Those who have no money and
stomach, explained to curious though been a toss of the coin as to whether another post-war period with so those who have money but cannot
cautious onlookers regarding his pen- many professional workers, farmers much money in circulation. If Mr. find anyone foolish enough to sell
chant for variegated sweaters. (Some- and small traders on incomes between Menzies got into power now he would them Industrial Shares, VOTE
one said they should be pensioned £400 and £1,000 a year, would vote only last three years, because the LABOR.
off!) Florence reported the fact that Labor or Liberal, but in this coming voters would wake up to their mis- G. H. Copeman, University of
he had a "gin" of an evening.
Federal Election their only hope of take, but by that time the damage Queensland, George St., Brisbane.
The final official function was a maintaining the purchasing power of would have been done. Inflation folbuffet luncheon, given by Dr. J, S. their incomes and savings, lies in lowed the depression—the old story!
•'.a:Rogers, chairman of the Board of voting for the employees' party. The Remember what happened after the
last war! Mr. Menzies need not, of
Management of the Union, where, by reasons are as follows:
LABOR CLUB
course, appear so callous as to abolish
Mr.
Chifley,
when
returned,
will
way of variety, we had the pleasure
of congratulating two of our team, on give his tax concessions as far as pos- price control by Act of Parliament,
The Labor Club announces that
sible to those with incomes below He could merely appoint a Prices
a successful engagement.
Dr. T. P. FRY, M,A., B,C,L,
With regard to the Dramatic Festi- £1,000 a year, particularly to those Commissioner who would gradually
(Lecturer in Law)
val, though the critics were not too on very low incomes. His conces- (and unnoticed at first) raise the ceil- has accepted an invitation to speak
enthusiastic at the choice of plays, sions so far have supported this pro- ing prices on the goods manufacon
they admitted that they were well phecy. He will also, referendum per- tured by his supporters, giving them "The Conunomvealth Government's
mittmg, extend social services, pay- extra profits at the.expense of con- Plan for the RehabUitation of New
done.
Our sincere thanks and apprecia- ing for them largely out of high tax- sumers. Also Mr, Menzies can even
Guinea and Papua"
tion for the efforts of the S.R.C, and ation on those with over £1,000 a promise social services, and he need MONDAY, 9th SEPTEMBER, at
M.U.D.C. officials, who organised the year, and most important of all, he not be so callous as to break some
1.10 pjn.,
festival, and to Mr, and Mrs, Des,wiU maintain company taxation as at of his promises. Remember that the
in
the
MODS. ROOM,
Labor
Government
has
been
building
Connor and their associates for their present, and will continue price conup
the
Social
Services
Fund
to
the
trol rigidly, so that inflation will not
assistance in the theatre.
ALL STUDENTS ARE INVITED
run
away with the purchasing power extent of £30,000,000 a year, and
For the benefit of the sceptic, we
TO ATTEND,
has not had the chance yet to intropohit out that there is no connection of his supporters on low incomes.
G. WALTERS,
duce its Free Medicine Plan, If Mr.
between the recent removal oi the On the other hand, to judge what Menzies
Hon.
Sec,
U.
of
Q, Labor Club.
got into power now, he
restriction on pork and our perform- would be Mr, Menzies' policy if he would have
big reserves to play with,
became Prime Minister, it must be
ance at the Festival.
so
that
he
could pretend to be the
MEN D A Y I S T U D E N T S
Our application at the end of the remembered that he not only has the "peoples' friend", tossing to the
return journey for a miner's Ucence backing of organised big bushiess but himgry; cro\yd the oddSocial >Service
has apparently been rejected on that there is an enormous amount of crUmb, and. at.^ttfe 'same time reduc- ;,• Sports fee refunds can be'applied,
grounds'specified In the White Aus- money in circulation now, just wait- ing taxation on high incomes and oh for.iiip to 25th Septeinber; See*Sec.-'
Treas.
• •••••••
••• '/i : •'•'
ing to be spent. Demand far exceeds
. tralia Policy.
MIMING IN MELBOURNE
SEMPER
Page Two
FLOREAT
Friday, 6th September, 1946
SERVICES CLUB
(3[lar^at
A meeting of the Services Club
wiU be held in the Men's Common
Room, 7,30 p,m., Thursday, 12th September, This has been made necessary by our last meeting proving
abortive, due to disinterest evidenced
Editor:
Sub-Editors:
Business Manager: by members of the club. Several
EWEN GILLIES
JOHN BENNETT
JACK FARR
vital decisions have to be made imKEITH GREENHAM
mediately, and this is a plea to all
Sports Editor;
Denta! Rep,:
ex-Service men and women to atA, S. GIVEN
Med, Rep, (Herston):
BRIAN FORD
tend this meeting. If you are conE, G, GALEA
tent with present conditions, come
aleng and teU us so, and if not, as
Vol. XV,
Friday, 6th September, 1946
No. 20 is probable, give us your support so
that we can do something about
them.
AGENDA,
(a) Reports:
The New Education Fellowship aims at "international under1, Dinner Committee.
2, Social Committee,
standing and cultural advancement." This, at first glance, may
3,
Report of Committee on
seem the usual generality produced by educational conferences
Cost of Living,
everywhere. It may, indeed, prove to be nothing more, but
(b) Correspondence:
should it so prove, the fault will not lie with the N,E,F.
Report
from
Metropolitan
C.R.T.S.
Tramees'
Convention,
International understanding is, at the present time, the
Sydney, and the recommendadesire of all free and peaceful peoples, and as has so often been
tions made.
(c) Motions:
stated, can be gained only by a carefully considered scheme of
Mr. Robinson, Mr. Gehrmann.
education, applied to the very beginning of the period of man's
(1) That the Club approach the Deintellectual development; one that must necessarily lead to the
partment of Post-War Reconstruction
widespread possession among nations of a long view and a with a view to having the NETT albroad outlook. These attributes would not in any way mean lowances, exclusive of travelling
a lessening of the national spirit, but their practice would allowance, raised to the foUowing
eradicate the avarice and envy that thwarts the efforts of to-day's levels:
£ s. d.
peacemakers.
Single man living away
from home
3 17 0
Educationists are in the iirst place servants of their country,
Single
man
Uving
at
home
3 4 0
promoters of "respect for justice, law and human rights," and
Married man with no chilby this token should serve the double purpose—national and
dren
6 5 0
international. Being, however, dependent upon the people, and Married man with two or
moi^e dependants
6U o
therefore the government of the people, they must look to this
Woman living away from
authority for original support, thereby introducing two whimsichome
4 1 0
ally dangerous factors, the bodies economic and politic. These, Woman living at home
2 17 0
(2) FaUing the above—
in their turn, are closely interrelated, the former being under
(i) That the Uving away from
the direction of the latter, and its standard and stability subject
home allowance be paid lor
to the latter's temper.
time that the student is living
away from home,
The onus thus descends upon the government to provide
(ii) That the maximum limit on
not only the channels for cultural advancement, institutions for
vacation earnings be removed;
or
the spread of which are already in existence, but the machinery
That
an
annual
maximum of not
for the promotion of international understanding. We concur
less than £120 be allowed for earnwith Dr, F, W. Robinson in his desire for.a National Commission ings without detriment to living
with universal contacts, and express the pious hope that the allowances.
aforesaid machinery will work with that speed, accuracy, and
J. J. WADDELL,
Sec-Treas.
efficacy for so long apparently alien to a project of this size
and importance.
New Deal for Education
MISS FRANCESCA FRENCH
The latest E,U. speaker was
Miss Francesca French, for 15 years
a missionary in Central Asia. Her
subject was: "The Gobi Desert,"
Miss French gave first a sketch of
the country through which she had
travelled, and described its vast expanses of desert where water is obtainable only in a few small pools.
But the people, nevertheless, held a
more real interest for her, especially
as regards theur reUgious outlook and
how this moulded their character.
The people of Central Asia, mostly
Chinese, commanded the respect and
affection of all who knew them, and
every missionary who had encovmtered them, spoke well of them.
Every man here had three religions—he was a Confucian, a Buddist and a Taoist. Confucianism
consisted in ethical precepts expressed in ancestor worship, which gave
the Chinese his ethical code, whUe
Buddism concerned the mystery of
life—the whys and the where are
answered here. The third religion
was Taoism, whose priests were the
magic makers—the men who regulated the lucky and the unlucky days
of the year, and who helped a man
when he. was. dying, "for no man
would dare to die without the help
of the Taoist priest."
The Llama of Tibet, with his love
for power, and his authority over the
herdsmen, was shown to be almost
impossible to convert as he stands to
lose all his power if he accepts Christianity. The herdsman grasped the
principles of Christianity, yet little
progress could be made with him because of his attitude to conversion
—that "we pay the Llama for our
religion, so why should we bother?"
The Moslem religion was a manmade one for men only, in which
woman had no place even in Paradise—except as the slave of man, and
even the Moslem's idea of heaven was
so different from ours that almost
insuperable difficulties had to be
overcome in teaching them Christian doctrines.
In conclusion, Miss French spoke
of the small extent to which Central
Asia was evangelised, and of the
very great amount of work still to be
done in this field.
H.D,
THIS IS Y O U R T U C K Y
DATE
SOUTH BRISBANE TECH. HALL.
IT'S FREE!
Dress: Formal.
SUPPER!
iS p.m.-12 p.m.
Applications are hereby called fertile position of Editor of the National.
Union Magazine for 1947.
Applications should be accom-panied by a short statement of such
qualifications as the applicant may
possess. The closing date is December 15th, 1946. The Editor wiU be
appomted at the N.U.A.U.S, Council,
meeting in the following January.
All applications should be addressed to A. Barcan, General Secretary,.
N.U.A.U.S,, c/- the S.R.C. Office,.
Sydney University.
I would at the same time call for
contributions for this Magazine.
While it has proved impossible to
bring out the N.U, Magazine during'.
1946, it is hoped that intending contributors would be interested in submitting material for the 1947 issue..
The magazine is to be devoted to
literary contributions, educational
critiques, student and University
problems, and aims at showing the
place of the University in the community.
A. BARCAN,
General Secretary, N.U.A.U.S,
A HAND FOR THATCHER
Students are to hand to Mr..
Thatcher name, qualifications land
type of work required (whether permanent or for vacation only) as early
as possible. Women students not desirous of joining the teaching proiession, must know shorthand and
typewriting.
S.CM. CONFERENCE
The first three days of the August
vac, alack, aU too short, were enjoyed by a small but keen company
who met at Moore Park to discuss
and hear addresses on three demands
of Christian life—Faith, Prayer and
Service.
The treatment of these subjects by
the Revs. W. A. Hardy, Evan
Wetherell and Newton Bagnell provided more than enough food for
thought in the ensuing study circles.
The leading points given by the
speakers were, that Faith is a
psychological necessity in man, that
Prayer in all its aspects, is entering
into the Will of God, and that true
Service is service to God, not only to
men, and in serving God we must
-:o:
serve men also.
Although the delights of a Rainbow. Bay ii.\sj(]3'-!tiai conference were
sadly misscd, our daily outing provided much lun and games in the
form of "rounders" and in the amusing, if primaeval, game of "cat." Despite meat rationing there was no
shortage of such good things as
steaks and chops, which even though
at times bearing traces of their ordeal
by fire and ashes, fUled the hungry.
UNCENSORED
Thanks from all present go to the
Rev, Bob Davis for his leadership
Last seen "In search of England" and helpful Biblical expositions on
—maybe Tony ain't such a Slo' cock the Conference Theme,
after aU.
•
•
•
Vet. concentrating on "biscuit
queen" has weakness for cream cakes
—they say Webster's are very tasty,
BiU!
•
•
*
Did you hear of lass who had
worried lecturer guessing on variety
of hematoda imder her "mike"—tUl
he discovered 'twas only an inkspot.
•
•
«
Blue-eyed Physio, seen Bobbing
round hi Lacey garments—evidently
likes being Pam-pered.
FRIDAY, 13th SEPTEMBER.
Forget Your Worries at ihie
nK)M:EN'S CLUB DANCE.
N.U.A.U.S. MAGAZINE
Even though a person who resides
at Ascot is a resident, we deny that
he who lives at Spring HUl is a residue.
*'
'
*
*
He liked to pun,
But thought it betterta
Wait tUl the Unyun
Made hini Editor.
Learn
Dancing
Easily
It Takes a Champion
To Teach a Champion
Mr, J. ("Sandy") Kobertson, the
Australian - Donee Champion, is
now available for Private Lessons
In Modern Ballroom Dancing. Hla
Individual and unexcelled tuition
will soon make you a dancer of
distinction.
'Phone B 8146 for an nppolotment.
ISandy 3rdROBERTSON
Floor,
DESMOND CHAMRKKS,
ADELAIDE STBEKT.
Friday, 6th September, 1946
SEMPER
SEZ YOU!
STUDENT INTERESTS
Dear Mr. Kenny,—In reply to your
invitation to suggest ways of encouraging interest in Union affaUs
the foUowing ideas may be of use.
Students can be interested only if
there are things to be interested in,
and these should be supplied by the
Union Executive; that is what it is
for. Apart from the various constituent bodies, the officers of which
should by canvass, reports in "Semper" and lively attractive meetings,
excite special interest, the Union
should tackle big live issues and, by
constant pubUcity, make students
aware of their significance in student
Ufe.
Much lack of interest now
arises, I believe, out of the fact that
students are only an annexe of the
teaching staff and Senate. Students
are raw material for experimental
pedagogy (and not always as experimenlaj as it might be) with very
Uttle direct influence on the academic
course of events. I have learned far
less irom students than I expected to
do.
Another delect which is very apparent in comparison with European
Universities is the timidity of the
student body in expressuig opinion
on current political events. This is
partiy a hang-over from the (now
happily dead) prohibition on free
speech by the teaching staff. Lacking a lead, students hang back. In
the current heated controversies in
Palestine and Bolivia, to take vital
contemporary
questions,
student
opinion has had a strong influence
and i! at the very core of the disputes. Prom my overseas experience
I would say that our students here
are politicaUy very backward, and in
international affairs so immature as
to be negUgible. The Union should
estabUsh a periodical library of high
political and sociological value. The
Satevpost is not enough.
There are three extremely vital
topics which I would advise the
Union to adopt as a front-line programme:—
(1) Student representation on the
Senate, which, in my view,
needs reform in other ways.
(2) Sludent accommodation which
it should be the function of the
Senate to provide instead of
being left to the present haphazard lack of organisation. I
have already expressed the
view that access to accommodation should not be subject to
i'eligious tests as at present.
(3) Queensland University Medical
School is probably the only
one in the world, the clinical
Men's Cross-Strap
SANDALS
N the coming hot weather
you will appreciate the
coolness and comfort of
a pair of- Pike Brothers'
Cross-strap Sandals, n o w
available in all sizes. Straps
are strongly secured to soles
and are fully lined.
I
WHITE SANDALS
per pair
TAN SANDALS
per pair
12/10
13/2
PIKE BROS
LIMITED
Queen St., BRISBANE
school of which is managed by
a Board with no Senate or
Faculty representation. The
Clmical School wiU never be
fully efficient under such conditions.
The Union should give the student
something to be interested in; the
above constitute a faiirly imposing
programme,—Yours, etc.,
J, V. DUHIG,
Professor of Pathology.
BETTER ENGINEERING.
Sir,—We appreciate the difficiUties
of the people who arrange the programmes presented by the U.Q.
Gramophone Society at their recitals, but we are firmly convinced
that radical changes are necessary if
the society is to fulfil its proper function.
For music to be good in the minds
of the majority, it does not have to
be duU, monotonous, tuneless, disonant, and almost invariably, absolutely unfamiliar. These recitals are
obviously not appreciated greatly,
judging by the consistently very
small attendances at Friday lunchhour recitals. Also, a few people
come to the door, peep in, are frightened by the sounds issuing therefrom,
and flee to the lawns or other places.
Others, expecting the worst, take up
their positions on the lawn or elsewhere without even looking in.
Though not forgetting that music
has a great educational value, it is
also largely for enjoyment. Lunchhour recitals are treated by most students as chiefly for the latter. They
want to relax between 1.0 and 2.0
p.m., rather than study it carefuUy.
Primarily, the object of this letter
is to suggest that U,Q.G.S, provide
more programmes, including better
known works of the masters, and
less tuneless, and unfamiliar music.
We don't hear too much of this
music. We certainly don't hear
enough of the music of the masters,
to be tired of them. Further, the
more tuneful English works seem to
have been forgotten. We hear very
littie of operas and operattas, grand
and comic (although we appreciate
attendant difficulties here), and also
very few overtures. We would definitely like to hear more.—Yours,
etc.
K. T. GREENHAM.
Page Thret
FLOREAT
ture," Has he forgotten "The Ccoundrel" (fiUn), "In Which We Serve"
(written, acted and produced by
Coward), and "This Happy Breed,"
one of the most sincere and moving
pictures of British middle class lite
in tune of duress ever drawn. This
last film has been acclauned as such
by critics of the English stage and
screen whose experience and discernment is naturally wider and deeper
tiian that of Mr. "M."
Dealmg with "FamUy Album," Mr.
"M." describes it as a sentimental
piece. Obviously his critical factUty
is not sharp enough to observe that
it is a satirical tilt at Victorian senthnentaUty, rather than an attempt
at a serious picture of the times.
Apparently the beauty of the sets,
the musical comedy atmosphere, and
the Wit and general brightness of the
whole production were lost on this
critic, who seemed more engrossed in
calculating the price of admission
than attemptmg to appreciate the
plays and the particular talents of
their author,
A sufficient rebuff to Mr. "M.'s"
criticism of the acting ability of Mr.
Ritchard and his wife is found in
their packed Brsbane houses, and
their reputation overseas,—Yours,
etc.,
J. D. HERBERT.
-:o:-
LIKES GRAMO. RECITALS.
active part in doing something about
those problems. The representatives
of forty odd unions appointed me to
the position because of my loyalty to,
and practical work, in the union
m6vement.
I also possess several "academic"
qualifications, but these, although of
great assistance in certain aspects of
my work, are entirely incidental to
the above.—^5fours, etc,
RON BROWN. .
-:o:
ERIC LAYS ODDS ON.
Dear Sir,—There was advertised
for the last Thursday of last term a
Special General Meeting of the
Union. At 7.30 p.m., when the meeting was due to commence, there were
in attendance twelve (12) students.
We note that there are approximately 2190 students at present at the
University, and may now formulate
an interesting observation; "Of 2190
students, IZ turned up for a meeting
of the Union of which 2190 are members."
With true scientific caution (as
advocated often in your paper) I forbear to assert that some apathetic
phenomenon has been observed; 1
feel, however, that a certain lack of
interest may scientificaUy be inferred.
This brmgs me to my final observation. During the publication of
iKy articles last term, one correspondent objected to my usmg so much
space in "Semper." I was almost
in agreement with hhn until the
above occurrence. Now, I am happy
to report that, knowing that I have
the sremedy for the "lack of interest," I shall consider any amount
of "Semper" too small for my efforts
to vitalise the University.—Yours,
etc.,
ERIC.
Sir,—I wish to offer a word of
appreciation for the evening Gramophone Recitals put on durmg the
year. The enthusiasm of those responsible is to be commended, and 1
hope that the poor attendance at the
last recital wUl not discourage them
from continumg the good work next
year. Of course a large roll-up of
students humbly seeking a better acquaintance with the masters would be
very heartening, but the efforts of
the organisers are amply justified by DENTISTS
the presence of a handful of enrequiring equipment at a fracthusiasts who derive real pleasiu'e
tion of original cost should
from the music. Recitals of this kind
write to "Retired," Box 94 B,
afford an opportunity of Ustening to
G.P.O., Brisbane. — Forceps
major works performed by the
from 10/-, etc., etc.
world's greatest orchestras and solo
artists under conditions more closely
approxunating to the concert hall
than radio broadcasts. The repro- FOR ADVICE OR SERVICE ON
duction is splendid, and it was a new
experience of the mighty Choral
Symphony to hear it thundered out
Consult
through a speaker which could really
handle the volume.
KENNETH A. LEMON, B.A.
Here's hoping for more evening
of the
recitals next year. And now a couple
of suggestions for what they are
A.M.P. SOCIETY
worth. First, an early start in first
Room 116, A.M.P, BuUding,
term, so that several open-air sesEdward Street,
sions may be enjoyed whUe the
BRISBANE.
weather is stUl warm. Second, why
Telephones:
B
6408
Box 1404R,
not some competent person to give
,'BOT~-^
G.P.O.
an annotation of the works to be
heard, and also to invite discussion
. <s\li ^fJffy
from the audience after each item?
This should make the recitals more
successful sociaUy, as students could
get together in exchanging musical
views and opinions.—^Yours, etc.,
"AN EVENING STUDENT."
THE STOPPER.
Dear Sir,—"Empty as Last Night's
Barrel" was a suitable heading for
the attempt at a review pubUshed .'n
the last issue of "Semper"—not as a
description of the plays, but as a precis of the review.
One would have thought the
author could have struggled past the
first Une without making a mistake,
but evidence of his ignorance is his
speUing of Cyril Ritchard's name.
Please Mr, "M,," RUchard, not
Richards. After murdering the player's name, "M," goes on to say, "I
:o:don't think anyone could bear to read
BBOWNED OFF.
Coward."
Strangely enough, my
cheap Australian edition, purchased
seven years ago, was then in its 59th Sir,—If criticism of compulsory
thousand. Rather a large circulation arbitration makes me guilty of confor an "unknown playwright,"
tempt, then my advocacy for inIn a good criticism the intentions creased wages, shorter hours and
of the author should be the basis on better working conditions for workwhich the critic works, "M," in his ers wUl mean that accordmg to Mr.
criticism regards "Shadow Play" as a Connolly, I shall be continuaUy "hi
serious piece of writing, and takes contempt" of some law or authority.
Coward to task for not attempthig a Heaven knows what I shaU be in,
serious solution of an acute social accordmg to Mr. ConnoUy, m adproblein. Did ever musical comedy; vocating a socialist party as against
which "Shadow Play" assuredly is, a system that has produced many
attempt such a heavy and out of depressions and two major wars in
the last 25 years.
character part?
; Has Mr. ''M," sufficient knowle(Jlge> As for my qualifications to hold
of the theatre to distinguish between the position of Research Officer to
musical comedy and legitimate drama the Trades and Labor CouncU, they
S?e*sIiSpIy'~fEat"* fof twdve years I
when he sees it?
He pigeon-holes Coward in .sweep- have studied the problems of the
ing terms as a "smart Alec ol Utera- Labor Movement and have taken~an
LIFE ASSURANCE
DispehsihsS)p^rnetrist
to
Brisbane General and
ChUdren's Hospitals,
Government Institutions,
Repatriation Depaiftment,
ani
Queensland Government
Country Hospitals.
T. & G. BUILDING,
QUEEN 5T.,, BRISBANE
SPECIAL REDUCTIONS
,
TO
UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
Page Four
SEMPER
Same Old Apathy
FLOREAT
_ Light-on Football Out
The Spring vacation in past, years has been, almost without
exception, an unfortunate period for Varsity football, and this
year's provided little deviation from that custom. The three
matches played resulted in two narrow defeats and one; close
victory, the last-mentioned being at the expense of the weak
New F a r m side.
The first game of the vacation was the forwards when they have earned
against Christian Brothers, and it some, but it remains a fact that as a
provided a sterling tussle untU its last bunch they are not up to standard,
few moments. Ah early penalty goal EUiot and Lemon have played conto Brothers was the only score m the sistently well throughout the season,
first half, and the depleted Univer- but the rest have too many off days.
sity side did very weU to hold their Henderson and Smith have done well
opponents so closely. Especially was in their few matches, but in my
this so with the forwards, who were opinion a little juggling of positions
very light for this class of footbaU, would produce better results. Lemon
In the second half our forwards is by far our best breakaway, and I
tired a Uttie, but the backs, with a should have him and Smith fiUing the
limited share of the ball, looked far two outside positions: Hughie Dunn
more impressive than their opposites. must be retained for his line-out
However, at a critical stage John- work, and can fill the lock position.
stone left the field with a fractured Winning and Henderson should make
collarbone, which disorganised the a good second row, while the fi*ont
Varsity side, StiU, with a littie luck, row would be Elliot, McLean and
McGuinness, Carroll or Buchanan.
two or three tries might have gone to Obviously
something has to be done.
the credit of the students, but such
The premiership table at this stage
was not to be.
Right at full-time Brothers' for- is a very open affair, with G,P.S.,
wards scored two converted tries to Brothers and University level with 19
give them a flattering victory, 13-0, points. With eight triers amongst
The next game was against New the forwards and the maintenance by
Farm, Varsity won, 3-0. Nuff said, the backs of their usual standard of
FinaUy, University met their old play, the premiership cup should be
rivals, G,P,S., and everyone expected stored at the seat of learning for at
the customary keen, close struggle. least the next twelve months,
"C" GRADE ROLL-CALL.
Nor were they disappointed. The
First
Saturday in Vac: v, Marismatch was a repetition of their other
tonians—seven
regular players, four
games this season, when after the
ring-ins.
Lost,
12-3,
lead had see-sawed throughout,
Second
Saturday
in Vac: v. City
G,P,S, happened to be in front at
CouncU—four
regular,
six otherwise.
full-time on each occasion. This time
Lost,
20-0,
the margin was a meagre two points,
which is a good indication of ttve re- Third Saturday in Vac: v. Eagle
Junction—six regulars, eight ring-ins.
lative strengths of each side.
For this defeat Varsity have only Lost, 16-8,
themselves to blame. This paper has We may win next year's premierbeen quite liberal with praises for ship.
(Continued)
I had better point out something have severe stage-fright would not
which most of you have missed, dream of facing a critical audience,
before I continue. I do not unpiy so that those who need help most do
that any Varsity activities are use- not get it. It is fear of failure and
less, but I do insist that most, if not ridicule which holds them back, and
all, of. them are not doing aU the this suggests the obvious remedy,
good which they could do. We are viz., arrange things so that it is not
told that we are "trabiing for Ufe" shameful to be difTident. This is
at a University, and the clubs and done as fallows:
societies should supply this training.
It cannot be got from mere lectures, Those with the worst cases of diffiso it.is up to us who form these dence or shyness collect themselves,
and exclude everyone efse. Everyclubs and societies.
one is scared and so cannot very
Take debates for instance. What well ridicule attempts to speak, when
is the idea of a debate? One side everyone is as bad as everyone else.
speaks "for," the other side speaks After some practice before such a
"against," Uien someone says who gathering, initial diffidence would be
"won" the debate. Apart from the overcome sufficiently to allow critifacts that the conclusion should be cism and advice from an experienced
at the end rather than the beginning, speaker, and from then on progress
that it was probably wrong, and most will surely be rapid. 'Suppose that
likely trivial, what exactly does "won one speaker of the shy gathering
the debate" mean?
spoke "for" some idea, and that one
Does it mean that relevant to real or two successive speakers tried to
life, one side was more acutely pers- reproduce that idea in as few words
picacious than the other? But this as possible. If the audience has
postulates an omniscent adjudicator; gained the same conception each
a rare if not impossible phenomenon. tune, then two things have been acDoes it mean that one side stuck complished. Firstiy, the mitigation
more closely to certain rules than of shyness mentioned above; secondthe other? If so, why, when the ly, the speakers would have put forsides have had sufficient practice, are ward the relevant premises of
not all debates dead heats? Does it salient facts—a far more difficult fact
mean that one side impressed the than mere "logical argument."
adjudicator more favourably than The whole point is that things must
the other? If so, the same effect be so arranged that no-one can feel
could have been produced by pre- out of place; so that no ridicule is
senting the adjudicator with, say, a —even unplicitly—attached to mediocarton of "Camels," thus making the crity; and so that training will be
debate unnecessary. Again, it is an avaUable to those who need it—i.e.,
irritating waste of time to arrive at the shy—as well as to those who
a "winning" conclusion in debate, do not.
which is manifestly absurd in tact.
Do not be absurd enough to '>ay
This is hopeless. Let us see what
"It won't work." Why not try? If
debates might do.
I think someone did tell me once you are right I shall retire gracethat debating trained one in public fully. If I am right, I give you per- undertaker must be introduced or a
speaking, quick thinking, and logical mission to write to the "Reader's new play provided. This usuaUy
argument—^r was he claiming tiiis Digest" about it, thus acquiring fame leads to one oi- two carrying the
play pretty well unaided by tne rest
for Communism? I am rather vague throughout the civilised world.
I
realise
that
the
only
comfort
left
of
the cast; not because of deliberate
about it, but I know it was either
to
the
remaining
semi-moribund
soslackness,
but because the talent is
debating, Communism or strip-poker.
cieties
is
that
I
do
not
wish
to
abolish
not
there.
That the one or two do
Take strip-poker — dear me! — I
them;
and
that
waiting
on
tentersuch
a
good
job is testimony to their
mean take public speaking and quick
hooks
for
my
omnicompetant
hand
enthusiasm,
ability and hard work;
thinking. Debating can and does
to
descend
cannot
be
a
tranquil
but
it
is
not
fair, nor is it the best
help those who have mild stagebusiness.
Anyone
who
has
waited
that
could
and
should be done. I do
fright—mild enough to allow them
—or
even
been—on
a
tenterhook
wUl
not
wish
to
have
a "professional"
to speak hi public. But those who agree. My kindness of heart prompts
set of actors, but I do v/ish that
me to say at once that it will feel we might provoke the comment:
good when it's finished.
"Though amateurs, their performThat time is not yet, however, for ance is excellent by any standards."
I have been considering the saying:
For that Photograph
To do this, we must arrive at a
"A professional is only a professional, body of actors with experience and
but an amateur is a damn fine joke." confidence; and this can be done only
As an enthusiastic universal amateur by applying the selective process
I deplore the fact but must admit its mentioned above. Of the two contruth.
Why does the amateur ditions, the first wiU be satisfie*! by
bungle—or at least does not usually my "compulsory" suggestion. The
do nearly as well as he might?
second wiU be satisfied by starting
Most people are neither very in the same way as I have outlined
talented nor very dumb, and it must for debating, and following tiie same
101 Adelaide St., Brisbane
be from these that the neither great method, with necessary modifications
nor negligible professionals emerge of detail.
(Between Arcade and Albert
as the result of a selective process—
After a whUe there would be a
Street)
if you're good you're in, if you're not body of actors who knew the fundayou're out. Note carefuUy that this mentals of acting, and who knew—
process requires two necessary con- even vaguely—their capabUities and
ditions. First, a large number to defects.
Consequently rehearsals
start with; second, grading by actual could be spent on the particular part
performance and demonstrated abil- entirely, not as now on general techity. Neither of these conditions nique for most of the time, and far
obtain even appiroxLma!tely at the better productions must result for
University, so little progress has been the same rehearsal time as at pre)
made—or can be made.
sent. More important, numbers of
What happens when the Dramatic students would find that they are
Society wants to cast a play? They more competent than they had imaghave only the small band of enthus- ined; others would see that they are
— n —
iasts to choose from, and it is un- not; casting would be apt and easy;
happily the case that enthusiasm and productions super-colossal; the money
ability, are not always co-existent. would roll in; and a good time had
If
the script calls for a jolly fat man by all.
UMITED
and;the only enthusiast available is
When this happens, it wiU be with
Ring B172I
a. morose, thin one, then either an tiie approval <if, liie Highest Musea
for Our Representative.
that the Di-amatic Society is transAddmi:
ported in toto to scintiUate for an
RYAN HOUSE,
Printed by Shipping Newspsnerf fQ'Iaoa) a'stiTOTomical salary- at the shrine of
Ltd,, ftyan-House,-Eagle S t . Brltbitoe;
i EAGLE ST., BBISBANB.
for JlienrnlverKlty-of Quieensltod'Wi»6n, the''prophet'iSoldwyn.' "
ROY
COOPER
STUDIOS
I If the Question
PRINTING
the Answer
Shipping Newspapers (Q.)
Friday; 6th September, 1946
BASKETBALL
The Basketball Championship will
advance another stage on Saturday
night next (7th September) when
round four will be played. Postponement of the Cobras-Hornets match,
due to the presence of the former in
Sydney, will rob the evening of much
of its interest; and leave the Leopards-Tigers clash the highlight of
the evening. Form points to the
former maintaining their unbeaten
record, but Tigers can be relied upon
to make the match an interesting
one. Amateurs-Novices match should
also be veiy interesting.
Can Leopards maintain their unbeaten record? Can Novices record
their first victory against the improving Amateurs? Come and see
for yourself, at the y,M,C.A. gymnasium.
Players, please note an alteration
in schedule,
7.30—Novices v. Amateurs.
8.30—Tigers v. Leopards.
NEWMAN SOCIETY
Sponsors a Lecture on •
ABORTION
by
Dr. M. J. EAKIN
on
THURSDAY, I2th SEPTEMBBK,
at 1.10 p.in.
In MAIN LECTURE THEATRE,
MEDICAL SCHOOL.
RIFLE CLUB
There will be a meeting of all those
interested in rifle shooting in the
Mods. Room on Tuesday, 17th Sepr
teAber, ^at 1,10 p.m, UntU the club
is fonried we cannot obtain equipment from the Army, so aU come and
bring any one else you can find, sind
we wUl be able to operate from the
beginning of next year.
PETE5: Ri^JB, *.»
• Hon. .Se{}.:iU.!(5Sjir/;.