When the "Red Dean" (the Very Rev. Dr. Hewlett Johnson) sallied forth from his Canterbury Deanery to take up the cudgels in the cause of world peace, little did he dream that the ripples would hit VUC as waves large enough to cause a Presidential resignation.

Storm warning

On Monday night, April 17, the Students' Association decided, on the motion of L. B. Piper (seconded by C. Pottinger), to investigate the possibility of inviting Dr. Hewlett Johnson to speak at the College during his possible sojourn in Wellington next month. Mr. O'Brien raised some small objection in the normal course of discussion, but did not even go so far as to have his dissent recorded. The majority of the Exec, both in their discussion and in their support for the motion, showed that they considered it to be in the true tradition of VUC to accord to such a prominent personality facility to address students on an issue which air of them must have opinions. Some of the Exec. probably didn't agree with the opinions of the Dean; but they saw no reason to exclude him just because they didn't necessarily agree with him. Unaware of the waves rising about them, the Exec. passed from the motion to other business.

Clouds darken

The clouds darkened the next day when a letter was received by the Secretary to the Association—Neil Mountier—from the President. This missive contained his resignation from office, to take effect as from midnight on Tuesday. The reasons for his resignation were that, while he felt "the good to be strived for was peace," it was certainly not "peace at any price" such as "this man" was proposing. He saw in the visit of the Dean "part of a world play to play on people's feelings" which involved "mental, moral and spiritual submission" [unclear: to] a social system which he thought the majority of the students were unwilling to accept. He felt that "the majoriy of those who elected men" would not wish him to acquiesce in an invitation to such a man under such circumstances. While "in a year which had seen some success in student activity" he was reluctant to take such a step, yet he felt that he could not associate himself longer with an organisation which would make such an "irresponsible" decision. (The full text of the letter is elsewhere.)

No thunder

The Executive held a special meeting on the evening of Thursday, April 20, to discuss the letter. The meeting aroused more than usual interest, most of the College groups being represented there in the gallery. With Vice-President Tom Heath in the Chair, the meeting heard the letter being read first: Mr. Heath stated then that he had information which would change the issue. This was that the chances of the Dean coming were now lessened owing to his fatigue on the Australian tour. Mr. Heath moved—and Vance Henderson seconded pro forma—that under the circumstances the resignation be not accepted. Chris Pottinger opined that as personalities and other private line would be dragged out of the cupboard, the meeting should go into committee. The Executive agreed.

Fifteen minutes later they emerged from committee, and the motion was now put and lost. The Executive, still apparently considering the matter one of principle, refused to admit that the changed circumstances would alter the case: they refused to have the majority opinion of the Executive altered in order to retain the President. Neil Mountier moved, Alison Pearce seconded, that the resignation be accepted. The motion was carried.

Almost immediately, on an open ballot, Alison Pearce, Women's Vice-President, was elected President by a majority of 6 to 3 over the other nominee, Tom Heath.

It was decided to retain the ex-President's services on the Finance Committee, where his experience would have been a loss. This was in accord with the offer made in his letter. The new President is now Extrav Organiser, and Mr. Health delegate to the Council Phys. Ed, Committee.

The ripples started some thousands of miles away had rocked the boat hard. One man had gone overboard.