VARSITY “RAGS"

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 942, 8 April 1930, Page 14

VARSITY “RAGS"

AUCKLAND STUDENTS’ , PLEA ASSISTING CHARITIES A plea for the return and reorgani- j sation of the “Varsity rag” on lines | that -would gain the support and ap- i proval of both the University and the j authorities is made in "Craccum,” the j magazine -which describes itself as j the '“Auckland University College's un- j official fortnightly.” “Though the Varsity ‘rag’ is very nearly as dead at the dodo in the A.U.C., it thrives with unabated vigour in most British universities, both at Home and in the Dominions,” states the publication. “During the ! last few years, however, there has been a tendency to give point to such celebrations by identifying them with some worthy object, as illustrated by the hospital ‘drives’ in England, and the Unemployment Relief ‘Procesh’ held of late in Otago. But the latest development, according to “The University,’ organ of the British N.U.S., is the cry for the ‘rationalisation’ of college ‘rags,’ as in other phases of modern industry. The basis of rationalisation is. of course, mere common sense—a dispassionate viewing of the situation, the linking up of similar organisations with similar objects to the benefit of all. the cleaning and oiling of the existing machinery, or the substitution for it of something simpler and more effective. “To the conundrum ‘When is a “rag” not a “rag”?’ there can be several answers-(says the N.U.S. contributor), but the most obvious is, ‘When it is a hospital ‘rag”.’ For it is no ‘rag’ to the average participant. It may be incidentally amusing to be over- j dressed, or queeriy-dressed on a cold, wet day, or perhaps a very warm one, i and to do odd things and go to strange places all in the name of charity, hut it is nevertheless hard work cheerfully undertaken for a good cause, not a ‘rag.’ Indeed, in no case are these ‘rags’ other than highly organised spectacular events, their only raison d’etre being their commendable charitable object. The local obstetrics appeal would provide an obvious case in point, one in which the Hongi Club might find scope for its excess of energy. “The second item for inquiry was the extent of these functions. From small beginnings in Manchester and Birmingham nine years ago, their growth had been extremely rapid, till at present something of the sort was being held by all provincial universities, and by some of the London hospitals. Excluding London as a special case, the total amount raised in these few years was close on £160,000, with a present figure of £40,000 annually. Such a sum apportioned out among British hospitals and medical schools was a social service of no small importance, since it was extremely probable that much of it would not otherwise be forthcoming. ATTITUDES OF PARTIES “To complete our review we must now inquire into the attitudes of the various parties concerned,” the publication continues. “First the general public, the man-in-the-street. It may safely be said that his approval is genuine and his support generous, because of the ‘rag’s’ worthy object. He may sometime feel that the collecting is a little high-handed, and that the collectors are apt to forget that a donation is always a donation, and not something to be regarded as a right, and payable on demand. But he is a good fellow, and well disposed. The civic authorities, too, are usually very willing to assist and support the organisers in their efforts. They may sometimes be a little concerned in a grandmotherly sort of way because of the serious dislocation of traffic and business that occurs on the day of the ‘rag.’ They may also feel that as a function the ‘rag’ is not quite compatible with their ideas on civic dignity. Further, they may be a little ajarmed in that there is a section of the town, no less than of the University, which regards the day of the rag’ as a clay of licence. However, though they may wag their heads, they co-operate nobly. “The third party concerned, the University authorities, find themselves in a difficult position and wriggle uncomfortably. They know' the objects of the ‘rag’ to be good, that public opinion is with the organisers, but remain in two minds about it, being not quite able to reconcile these ‘successful disturbances’ with their idea of a placid academic atmosphere. Meanwhile these idealised ‘rags’ are approaching a financial apex, and the latest development in Britain is the ‘rationalisation’ or linking up of various annual ‘rags’ into a ‘Universities’ Hospitals’ Day,’ with national recognition in all university towns, and a popular prestige rapidly approaching that of Poppy Day, St. John Ambulance Day, and other public annuals.

“Here before us, then, stand the past successes and future possibilities of the university ‘rag,’ organised in support of some public object. In Auckland, perhaps more than elsewhere, the town needs reminding that it has a University, that student activities are not necessarily conducted in the interests of selfish pleasure. If the University has any ambition to reorganise the ‘rag’ on new and worthier lines, thereby gaining the support of both authority and of the public, a golden opportunity lies before it.”