Police Seize Copies Of Student Paper (Press, 3 October 1980)
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Summary: Police Seize Copies Of Student Paper (Press, 3 October 1980)
On 3 October 1980, Wellington police seized over 200 copies of the Victoria University student newspaper "Salient," which featured a full-page homosexual cartoon deemed explicit. The removal of the copies occurred shortly before a meeting of approximately 60 students who convened to discuss a motion of no-confidence regarding the paper's editor, Stephen A'Court. This proposed motion was narrowly defeated, with the vote standing at 294 to 295. The dissatisfaction among students has reportedly been growing since A'Court took on the editorial role at the beginning of the year. In addition to the discussion on A'Court's editorship, the meeting also addressed financial support for the legal expenses of New Zealand University Students' Association president Simon Wilson and fellow student Caroline Massof. The pair, who pleaded not guilty to charges of wilfully damaging a Wellington wall on 18 September 1980, were accused of inscribing anti-Truxtun graffiti on the building. They are currently out on bail and are set to appear in District Court, although personal appearances have been waived. Wilson's appeal for support was rejected when he sent a letter indicating that he did not seek, nor required, the monetary assistance, which contributed to the defeat of the funding motion. In a related development, students from Lincoln College took note of the situation surrounding their national president, with Canterbury students calling for his resignation should he be convicted of any offence. Following this, Lincoln College students convened a special meeting to discuss their response, which would hinge on the proceedings of Wilson and Massof's court case. Overall, the events highlight tensions amongst students and leadership within the university context, as well as broader societal issues regarding censorship and freedom of expression.
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