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NEWSPAPER OF THE STUDENTS' UNION, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (UNIVERSITY OF LONDON)
FEBRUARY 17th, 1955
THREEPENCE
TORY TALKERS DOUBLE TOP!
Union To-night SNTER-VARSITY DEBATE
The Beveridge Debate
The inaugural competition for the Beveridge Debating Trophy was graced by the attendance, as guests, of Lord and Lady Beveridge. The warmth of the welcome they received from the Union after an absence of twenty years proved an effective solvent for the bitterness of the preceding Union meeting,
and the debate began, even if it did not always continue, in the spirit of friendliness so unusual nowadays as to be phenomenal.
The motion before the Union, that "This House believes that Socialism is the road to serfdom" was proposed by Mr. Enoch Powell, the Conservative M.P.
He began by talking of his difficulty in attacking that elusive mirage, Socialism; and dramatically compared himself to the hero of Greek mythology who had to capture the ever-changing form of the god Proteus. He illustrated his point (and gently hinted, perhaps,
at vague rumours of differences of opinion within the Labour Part\j by producing conflicting remarks made by Mr. Herbert Morrison and Mr. Richard Grossman, both believed to have some connection with Socialism. Mr. Powell quoted passages from " Challenge to Britain which advocated the nationalization of " mines, fields, and factories He contended that such a plan, by ignoring the human element, was bound to prove inefficient, and therein, he insisted, lay the dangers of Socialism. It aimed at turning men into machines, and any dissenters to the master-plan would lutomatically be banned as a 'saboteur ". Socialism, in the long mn, would not be content with controlling people's actions, but would seek to control their minds. " There is no similarity," he said, " between the serfdom of the wage-slave and that of the so-called individual in a planned society."
Capital Conditions
lie concluded by stating that conditions after the war were different, and that people should beware of socialists who wish to retain and even extend the controls and restrictions which war-time conditions imposed. A State, he said, is a growing organism, wiser than governments and men, and will develop properly only in the framework of individual liberty.
Mr. Hughes, Principal of Ruskin College, Oxford, opposing the motion,
reminded Mr. Powell (who, as a Conservative candidate, had outsted him at the last election) that he had once been a Liberal Chief Whip, and was not above changing colour himself,
"just like Proteus". He stressed the Socialist " positive aspect of freedom", which he defined as "social and economic equality which would enable the majority of the people to enjoy their political and legal rights" ;
and contrasted this with the Great Depression wrought by capitalism.
He did not elaborate, however, as to how one could preserve the freedom
of the individual while simultaneously " planning and controlling the actions of individuals in the cause of greater freedomHe said he believed in compromise, but not in the present one of a property-owning democracy where 1% of the population owned over 50% of the means of production. Public ownership was the solution, he said—but spoke little of public control.
" Material Hell"
The subject was then thrown open to the contestants from the five political parties of L.S.E., beginning with Mr. Brian Van Arkadie, for the Labour Society.
He was very pleased, he said, beaming, to be able to adopt the same arguments as Mr. Hughes. However, Mr. Van Arkadie made the grave mistake of speaking less on the subject of Socialism and of attempting to refute the motion, than on the alternative horrors of capitalism. He claimed that even a Socialist Police State, a " material heaven was better than a capitalist " material hell ".
Lord Beveridge
Xezcs Chroniclc
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by R. T. McKenzie, B.A.
(Lecturer in Sociology at the London School of Economics)
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The Liberal Society was represented by Mr. Derek Walker, who caused some wry smiles by speaking by the side of Mr. Powell, and prolonged applause by advocating " Sex Without Responsibility", since, he said, the family system is the only way to pave the way to equality of opportunity. In a more serious tone, he greatly deplored the decline of individualism which not even a material heaven could effectively substitute.
The following speaker was Mr. Peter Read, of the Socialist Society, who apparently breathed only twice in eight minutes whilst delivering his prepared speech. This gave him plenty of time to tell us all about the capitalist's confused ideas on socialism; gained mainly by obtaining at second hand the opinions of such ardent socialists as George Orwell; and about his conception of socialism. He created a sensation by revealing that in many respects the Soviet Union is not perfect.
Right View
He was follovyed' by Mr. John Hipkin, that gentld exponent of the Conservative viewpoint, who suggested that the motion could as easily be put in another way, " The road to hell is paved with good intentions "; for history showed that socialist thinking in this country at the present time is similar to that of the pre-Nazi and pre-Facist decade, and would indeed lead to serfdom.
The last speaker was Mr. Colin Sweet, who suggested that he had been placed last in order to make the others seem respectable. After informing us about the origins of political parties (" they were created by Disraeli and Gladstone in order
(continued in column three)
—And INfext Year?
if the Beveridge trophy is intended to stimulate and improve L.S.E. debating, then in its present form it is a failure; reluctant but definite, that must be the conclusion.
It is not difficult to see the mean-inglessness of a competition confined to five speakers only, respectively nominated by five political societies; it is not possible to ignore the futility of a contest so narrow in its scope and in its achievement.
As the competition rules stand at present, if the best two debaters in the college belong to the same political society, then one of them is ineligible; and how can we be sure that the better one will be put forward b)' the society selection committee, or even that that committee will employ criteria akin to those to be used by the final judges? It seems likely rather that the primary choice will be made for ability in public speaking, which is an art in itself but which is not debating.
Better System
It may be argued that, imperfect though the present system may be, it is the most adequate arrangement available; but this is not true. There already exists in the college a debating tournament modelled on the N.U.S. championship which, whilst primarily a " pairs '' competition, contains provision also for an individual award. This tourney, run by the Debating Society, but open to all, could readily be adapted to fit the Beveridge trophy.
This would make the trophy one for debating rather than for politics, but surely this is as it should be. The party political could be left to the Laski Memorial Debate and to the Union meetings and we would at least avoid a repetition of this year's contest, which as a debating competition was remarkable for the absence of all but one of our representatives in this year's outside debating tourneys, including Mr. Terence Groome and Miss Margaret Jenkins, who seemed to do this kind of thing rather well.
(cont. from foot of previous column)
to confuse the minds of the electorate "), he spoke for a few minutes on the neccessity of being rid of a Tory party which might occasionally return to power. " The phraseology in the motion is quite irrelevant."
The summings up were, as is unfortunately usual, no more than restatements of already reiterated views, with little or no attempt to answer points made by the opposition.
Then came the division and the verdict. The motion was lost and Hipkin had won. The Whips prize went to Labour Society; the Left had an arrangement of their own whereby they had three to speak but voted as one, neither Communist Soc. nor Socialist Society attempting the party trophy.
Finally Lord Beveridge spoke on the necessities and difficulties of reconciling reasonable living standards for all and opportunities for enterprise for the individual. Lady Beveridge, in response to her husband's plea to " Let Janet speak ", thanked the Union for asking them and besought what we feel is sure to be granted—a further invitation.
COLONIAL STUDENTS' DAY
Rodi Okorodudu, one of L.S.E.'s Colonial students, is to speak together with the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Lennox-Boyd, M.P., and the former Colonial Secretary, Mr. James GrifTiths, M.P., at the meeting to be held on Colonial Students' Day, Monday, February 21st. It is intended to make this function one of the most outstanding Union events of the ysar and invitations have been accepted by several Mesnbers of Parliament, the Presidents of Colonial Students' Unionj and of other colleges in the University of London.
Mr. Lennox-Boyd, who was President of the Oxford Union in 1926, was, until last year. Minister of 'J'ransport; but he specialised in Colonial Affairs during the period of Conservative Opposition after the war.
Mr. Griffiths, who has spoken frequently to L.S.E. students in recent years, was appointed Colonial Secretary in 1950, having been for five years responsible for the Ministry of National Insurance.
Rodi Okorodudu comes from Nigeria, where he was a Civil Servant. He spent four years working in the building trade in Manchester before coming to L.S.E., at his own expense, to study Trade Unionism. During the war he served with the Royal West African Frontier Force.

The Right Hon. Lonnox-Boyd, M.P.
After the Meeting the guests will meet Colonial and British students, informally, at a reception in the Three Tuns Lounge and Bar. Mrs. Popper's Cafe will be serving special Colonial foods prepared by the overseas students of L.S.E.
Union members who are prepared to help by meeting the guests and escorting them to the Old Theatre and afterwards to the Three Tuns are asked to get in touch with me to-day.
rol.\nd freeman
(Mce-President for External Affairs).
Groome at Bedford
by Margaret Jenkins While many L.S.E. students were enjoying themselves at the Valentine Ball, a small crowd of stalwarts turned up at Bedford College on Saturday evening for the final round of the " Observer " Debating Tournament. The
Universities of Glasgow and Bristol were competing for the mace, and with Messrs. Alistair McGregor of Jordanhill Training College, and Terence Groome of L.3.IE., for the prize for the best individual speaker.
Tuke Hall, crowded with students, was a fine setting and the presence of the TV cameras gave an added thrill to the proceedings. The motion of the debate was a topical one, " That, in the opinion of this House, 1984 is not far off ".
Big Brother
Mr. Alistair McGregor, the proposer, opened his speech by referring to Mr. Frank Copplestone, president of N.U.S. and chairman of the debate, as " Big Brother " and to his audience as " proles ". He challenged the opposition to a serious discussion of the motion, and said that 1984 was not a threat for the future but existed with us to-day, and had existed in the past, as two world wars had shown.
Mr. Andrew Kennedy, of Glasgow, who spoke third, saw Great Britain as something of an exception in the world to-day and said that Big Brother, the all-powerful dictator, was not unknown in many countries.
Churchillian Croome
The fourth speaker was Mr. Terence Groome. He was on his best form on Saturday, and opened well by telling a story of how he had 'phoned the Russian Ambassador last Tuesday to get a statement about the resignation of Mr. Malenkov. Yet he too took the subject seriously, " abandoning his
cloak of gay abandon " which he said he had worn for the other rounds of the contest.
His theme, almost Churchillian, was that " Britain is safe in the hands of the men who inhabit her". She has a strong tradition of liberty and equality for each individual citizen, and he could never envisage the day in Britain when individual thought, religion and charity would be lost.
The other oustanding speaker was Dr. Dickson Mabon of Glasgow, whose force, penetration, and Scottish charm, immediately captured the attention of the audience.
L.S.E. Success
The panel of judges awarded the mace to Glasgow University and the silver ashtray for the best individual speaker to Terence Groome, the prizes being presented by Dr. Arnold Toynbee.
L.S.E. will be very proud that Terence Groome has brought the prize for the best individual speaker to the School and it would be very fine if next year we could not only retain it but bring the mace to Clare Market as well.
ST. GODRIC'S
SECRETARIAL COLLEGE
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Special Courses in Administration and Management, journalism, Advertising, Languages and Foreign Shorthands, Hospital, Library and Political v^ork.
Ajyplyto: ). W. LOVERIDGE, M.A. (Cantab.) 2 Arkwright Road, Hampstead N.W.3
Telephone: HAMpstead 5980
7
BEAVER
February 17th, liFi
LONDON SCHOOL OF
EOOWOMICS HOUGHTON STREET ALDWYCH - LONDON - W.C.2
2rd Series Vol. 3 No. 7
Interim Editor: MARGUERITE ViJATKiNS
Asistiuit Kditor: Pau! Look Associate Editor: Ian J. Finch Sports Editor:
Christine Merritt IJusiiicss Jranager:
Patricia Green
Bales ifanager;
Rod! Okorodudu Staff:
Tony Laugan, JFichae! Banks, G. K. Karrioiiclie, Raymond Green
0-Politicism! Nihil Nisi Bonum! ATllEiVS T« ALDWlXll
Interlude
The editorial policy of " Beaver " has, in the past, been subject to a great deal of criticism, much of it, we admit, justified. Nor are we attempting here to vindicate ourselves. Though this issue has been produced by a temporary editor with a very new staff, we will accept and even welcome constructive criticism. " Beaver " is your newspaper and it is both your right and your privilege to pass judgment upon it. Our only regret is that so few of you avail yourselves of that privilege.
We are not therefore attempting a justification but an explanation of our policy. " Beaver " is the only pool in which the diverse waters of college life can mingle and as such it should crystallise the spirit of L.S.E. We have been told that we are frivolous. If that is so, is it such a grievous fault when there is an element of frivolity rapping so loudly at the door of " Beaver" office that even the most serious minded typewriter cannot drown it ? But " Beaver " aims to be more than the official mouthpiece of student irresponsibility. Beneath the veneer of quasi-intellectual humour those of you who care to look may discern the pride in I/.S.E. which makes it v\'orth our while to struggle on against the combined opposition of our poverty and your apathy. " Bearoer " is the primary, perhaps the only real link between the three thousand students of L.S.E. and as such we feel that its mission is to instil some of that pride into you; to awaken a general interest in the activities of the Union which governs all but the purely academic facets of your college life; to generate popular indignation at the abuses which, with the kind permission of the Deputy President, we are sometimes allowed to reveal.
Few of us can fail to feel some measure of superiority at belonging to a college with the world-wide rc[nitation of I^.S.E., but in an age when it is fashionable for the intelligentsia to consider " faith " an aii.!chronism, and a "belief" in anything at all intellectually beneath, them, very few of us are willing to admit that we believe in L.S.E. and fewer still are willing to do anything about it.
We feel that much could be done by the ordinary members of L.S.E. If students were prepared to resign their individuality, and think of themselves as part of the larger body which is the school, at least occasionally, L.S.E. might loose that atmosphere of an academic factory which we must not accept as the inevitable lot of a nonresidential college, and acquire the sense of community which is such an important part of University life.
And on a more materialistic plain: need the response to appeals for blood donors be so small; need the poll at Union elections be so low; and need the Third Floor common room look like a third class waiting room?
b/ Paul Lock
The fresher fed witti legendary stories of the pre-war reactionary jittiiudc of the College and its effect upon the political persuasions of the country, is inevitably disillusioned by tiie present political activities of the College and its members.
Apart from the unfounded observations of an illiterate M.P. and tlie recent attempts of a select few to dent the railings of the House of Commons, the attack upon, and present activities of, the college seem consumed by an attitude of complacent indifference.
The clays when students were deported from the country and dire plots evolved from damp basements in Bloomsbiiry seem to have hidden behind the skirts of Old Father Time.
This new trend, though undoubtedly a reflection of the present political apathy of the country as a whole, should be deplored for having influenced a college whose previous activities have had a national effect.
It is possible that new " isms " are beins counted in the Senior Common Room but they have yet to be consummated either by the public or the College.
Though extremism should not be encouraged for its own sake, it would be far more encouraging if freshers found a more lively attitude towards politics in the College instead of the inconsequential squabbles over party politics which now prevail.
"Carte Blanche"
On January 18th, at the invitation of the Law Society, the Right Honourable Lord Justice Denning addressed a packed Old Theatre on what the Law Society President, Mr. Bob Stewart, introduced as " Sir Alfred's carte blanclie ".
Lord Justice Denning, who is by far the most outstanding and controversial figure on the English Bench, delivered a dissertion both erudite and commonsensical on the relationship between Law and Justice and the Adrninistration of Justice through the Law. It was a rejuvenating and inspiring experience to hear his extremely enjoyable alchemy of law and humour, a quality which unfortunately all too rarely permeates the empirical stodge of the Law Reports, yet through personal contact enlivens to a bearable and often entertaining extent the somewhat dreary content of English Law.
That his visit was a success there can be no doubt; Lord Justice Denning in the enervating atmosphere of the Court of Appeal, be-wigged and robed, giving his dry, succinct judgments, and the Sir Alfred we saw at L.S.E., afford a comj-iarison, though be it of the same man, vi'hich, it is believed, proved sufficiently attractive to induce a temporary spate of activity, some of it academic, within the lower legions of the Law Society.
ian j. finch.
TOWN AND GOWN
A " Town and Gown" club has been formed recently in the Metropolitan Borough of St. Pancras with a view to fostering a closer association between the academic and non-academic members of the borough.
Anyone interested in joining this club, or requiring information on it, can obtain direct and documentary information from Joseph Abulokwe or from the Secretary:
Miss Rosamond Tweedy, St. Pancras Town Hall, W.C.I.
This paper has lost an editor who vjas both hard-working and enthusiastic, bringing the standard of " Beaver" up from the depths to a level which, we think, is considerably higher.
Fan Jackson took over the editorship at the end of the Summer Term in 1954 and brought out the Freshers' Edition in October almost completely on his own. Since then he has, by bullying, threats and apologies, given it a set of regular contributors who bring wit, good sense and occasionally rubbish into tliese pages. He has been criticised for having a small staff, perhaps almost been accused of running a "closed shop". Yet apart from his staff, we have regular articles from the almost legendary characters of Fox and Finch, cartoons from Don Aldridge, near-dissertations from the still-unknown J. K. Williams, occasional articles from members of Union Council such as the one by John Burrows on the Health Centre—and Tactless has managed to amuse without being offensive.
The small staff have merely typed out everything everyone else said and put it into what may often have seemed a glorious hotch-potch. This is not intended to give the impression that the editor of " Beaver " has ver}' little work to do on his own initiative. We have seen the ex-cditor spend fifteen to twenty minutes attempting to think up a headline, only to be heard remark when the issue appears " I don't like that ".
This was his inevitable comment. " I don't like that " means for him that we won't make the same mistake again, whether in regard to the inclusion of a contribution or the type of print used to " sell " the headline.
People even ask to advertise in " Beaver" these days, and the reveriue obtained by this is helping to put the newspaper on its own feet. •mVc can expect much from advertising prospects because oi Mr. Jackson's frantic efforts to make people see how an important clientele can be obtained at L.S.E.
Vv'e now know the technicalities of sending copy to the printers, of finding blocks or having them made for the page, and luring people to read the paper by having a very female sales staff. Consequently the printers treat us in a very amiable fashion and ignore the small headaches which we give them. There is something almost Durkheimian in the constant level of "Beaver" sales: an increase in grant would not push the sales up nor would even dearer Refectory meals push them down.
ian Jackson has resigned, not because " Beaver " interests him no longer, but because his work for the paper has been to a large extent accomplished. His staff have adopted an air of enthusiasm, started to bully anyone who refuses to help " Beaver " and been charming where the opponent seemed like a brick wall. Union should have realised that the editor was not a right-wing pamphleteer but merely a Yorkshireman. As long as we keep his motto in mind all will be v.'ell:
no pornography!!
STOP I»IIESS
Hopes of the Senior Treasurer going to gaol were strengthened when the Union received a " friendly reminder " from the police that our Bar was not registered for the current year. As secretary of the Bar Management Committee Mr. O'Regan is responsible.
by Elizabeth Leach
For the first time on record the Dramatic Society is proud to preset in one programme, not only high standards of direction, extensi' acting talent and superior stage-management, but also the full glo of the new seating accommodation in the Old Theatre!
Never again need otherwise enthusiastic audi8:i02S retire from a full length production with acute sensations of stiffness verging on paralysis!
Even the intervals, which imtil now have necessarily been long in order to give less hardy onlookers a respite from very real physical discomfort, may now be considerably shortened. This is indeed a great step forward in the IDramatic Society's efforts to procure not only better accommodation for its audiences (We didn't know that we owed this to Dram. Soc. as well! — I^ditor.), but im.proved facilities of all kinds. Doubtless we can look forward in the future to a wider stage (Cinemascope has nothing on us!), more dressing-room space, and better lighting apparatus. Well, there's no harm in hoping anyway.
Sophocles
Drama through the ages would appear to be the theme of our current production, which takes the form of a One-Act Play Festival. The Ancients are represented by Sophocles's " King Oedipus " (fortunately in translation !). Bill Martin has made an ambitious choice, but glancing at the cast he has to support him, including some new but very leading lights in the persons of Paul Lock and Joan Budgeon as Oedipus and Jocasta, one feels that his hopes will prove justified.
Shakespeare?
Somehow we can never get very far away from Shakespeare—but on the whole I think we've got as far away as possible in Stewart Ready's highly fanciful interlude entitled " \'assals Departing ". Here, under


PETS IN PANTS
Dear Sir,
Ogden Nash might well have been inspired (or provoked) by a visit to L.S.E. when he wrote those immortal lines:
" Sure, deck your lower limbs in pants;
Yours are the legs, my sweeting.
You look divine as you advance—
Have you seen yourself retreating? "
That any member of the fairer sex should resort to this mode of dress is, in itself, bad enough. Unfortunately, the members of the sex who can least afford to do so are, seemingly, the ones who insist upon emphasising their shortcomings.
Even more widespread—in use as well as aspect—is the " pencil " skirt. My objections to these are not so strong, however, for they can be quite amusing when the lift is not working.
It may be that the wearers of such garments reallv' believe that they are making the most of their
the direction of David Barron, a pear various of the more fame T1 Shakespearean characters in rath U imfamiliar form. But howei much the Bard might turn in 1 grave, the characters as such s"'' still recognisable; Hamlet is possessed, even if with a somewl; " revivalist " mania, and poor o Lear still doesn't understand 1 daughters.	f.'
And To-day
Returning to more modern tim we present " Waiting for Lefty produced by Dennis Dowling, rr which the character to watch tc Fatt, who made his successful deb r< for Dram. Soc. as Shylock, t! o Jew, in last term's production a " The Merchant of ^'enice ". N» s. supported by an able cast, inclui i' ing Joan Budgeon and Miclu c Rosslaar, he will doubtless give i e once more the full benefit of l £ remarkable histrionic powers. I
The plays will be performed; the Old Theatre at 7 p.m. on Tue day and Thursday, the 22nd ai 24th of F'ebruary, seat,; 1/- and 1 Incidentally, there will be a rept sentative from N.U.S. in the aui ence, assessing our merits wi; respect to a possible grant fro N.U.S. towards this year's Summ tour—so I think we can guarant a high standard.
Need we add that all will k welcome at these two performances Alas, yes! Attendance at li year's Festival was poor, and it to be hoped that Dram. Soc.'s pe: sistent activities since then hai awakened L.S.E. to the fact of ot existence. Perhaps these two pe: formances will show whether or n( we have succeeded in oiu- attemp: to instil some appreciation of tl finer arts into the otherwis pedestrian vacuity of L.S.E.
capabilities, in which case perha: it is my attitude that is wroni May I appeal (once more in t! words of Ogden Nash) for help: this matter.?
<(
Come here and tell me girlie, Do you think my mind: maturing late. Or simply rotted early? " Yours hopefully,
" fkminist."
{Prospective correspondents shotti note that, as here, psiicdonyms d only allowed when they conceal li identity of either members i Union Council or "Beaver".)
ON THE BOARD
Dear Sir,	j
I was startled recently to re: on the blackboard whereon lecture invite our sympathy for their r dispositions, the following sinist announcement:
ethics revision class
Does this indicate the existeo: in our midst of some esoteric r ligious group which meets for orgt of mutual confession and se: rectification, according to rules t divine revelation? Or is it t; advertisement of a sect of politic fanatics who congregate to corre: deviations from the paths i doctrinal truth by the weali brethren? One suspects the dr doings of our Marxist friends.
I am^ Sir, in some mystificatio: and with considerable trepidatii for freedom of conscience in tl fair land.
Yoius faithfully,
wynne jones,
February 17th, 1955
BEAVER
3
The State of the Union
I
I "Thursdays come and Thursdays
But I go OH for ever."
This might well be the theme of Union meetings in general and a few of its members in particular. The last Union r.leeting commenced on January 27th and was concluded (just) after two adjournments last Thursday.
In this time the Constitution and Standing Orders have been further amended to render them more intelligible to the few, and more incomprehensible to the many.
The main innovation is the creation of an " Administrative Committee "—not, as you might believe, to get the Union working—but to re-allocate responsibilities, so that one member of Council instead of another is now, in theory, responsible and in practice just as uninterested. The effect of the changes is to transfer the Stationery Stall, Book Stall, Information Stall, Common Rooms, etc. from the jurisdiction of the Social Vice-President to that of the Deputy President. It also involves the creation of a new post, Chairman of the Administrative Committee.
The justification for any such change is either that it improves the working of the Union or that it brings the theoretical structure into line with practice. It is no justification that one member of Council dislikes having the responsibility— and prefers someone else to have it.
Anomalous Position
The innovation can only serve to draw theory and practice apart and extend the anomalous position of the Common Rooms Officer for a further period, until the next constitutional " tidying-up It should have been clear to Council (or at least to Martin O'Regan) that only the Senior Treasurer can be and should be responsible for the Stationery Stall. It should have been just as clear that the C.R.O. is far too important to be represented by another person on Council, for his duties are certainly wider and more onerous than those of the Social V.F. It should have been clear that the Deputy President will no more associate himself with these essential services than the Social Vice-President and that the creation of another post of responsibility without a say on Council can only serve to cause discontent.
Why then did Council pa}' so little attention to the views of Dick Lustig—who has so ably done a more difficult job than his " superiors " on Council and has gained so litde thanks?
But democracy has triumphed and, after three recounts, these reforms were adopted.
Politics Again
The rest of the Union Meeting achieved nothing so tangible. The confusion on the platform was only matched b)- the disorder on the floor. The meeting last Thursday never recovered from the riotous start, when a seemingly innocent visitor (from the press?) was unanimously and forcibly ejected.
The motion was that this iJnion "disapproves of the appointment of a non-academic person, the Queen Mother, to the position of Chancellor of this University ".
The proposers were unequal to the storm they had innocently aroused and sought leave to withdraw the motion. Their reasons were that they had not appreciated that the post of Chancellor was a non-academic one and they now saw no objection to the proposed election. 'I'his seemed eminently reasonable and leave was granted bv a small majority to withdraw the motion. Mr. \'eliz objected for the
Jnst Men
Men are what women marry. They have two hands and two feet and sometimes two wives. But never more collar or one idea at a time.
Like Turkish cigarettes, men are all made of the same material. The only difference is that some are a little better disguised than others.
Generally speaking they are divided into three classes — husbands, bachelors and widowers. An eligible bachelor is a mass of obstinacy entirely surrounded by suspicion. Husbands are of three varieties — prizes, surprises and consolation prizes.
Making a husband out of a man is one of the highest plastic arts known to civilization. It requires science, sculpture, common sense, faith, hope, and charity—especially charity. It is a psychological marvel that a soft, fluffy, tender little thing like a woman should enjoy kissing a big, awkward, moustachioed stubby chinned, tobacco- and rum-scented thing like a man.
If you flatter a man you frighten him to death and if you don't you bore him to death. If you permit him to make love he gets tired of you in the end. If you don't he gets tired of you in the beginning.
If you believe him in everything you soon cease to interest him, and if you argue with him in everything you soon cease to charm him. If you believe all that he tells you he thinks you are a fool, if you don't he thinks you are a cynic.
If you wear gay colours, rouge and a startling hat he hesitates to take you out. If you wear a little brown toque and a tailor-made suit, he takes you out and stares all evening at a woman in gay colours, rouge and a startling hat.
If you join him in his gaities and approve of his smoking he swears that you are driving him to the devil, while if you disapprove of his smoking and urge him to abandon his gaities he vows you are driving him mad. If you are a modern advanced and independent woman he doubts whether you have a heart. If you are silly he longs for a bright mate. If you are a brilliant intellectual he longs for a playmate. If you are popular with other men—he is jealous. If you are not he hesitates to marry a wallflower.
GOSH ill MKN ! ! !
(continued from previous column)
reason that he had known what the proposers had not, and proceeded to request and was granted urgency to propose the motion himself. So began a stormy battle (left v. right v. Rob Weinberg).
Stoirny Battle
By now the motion was the least important part of the proceedings. Mr. Veliz side-stepped the issue to launch an attack on Royalty, and the inadequacy of the Royal Family to perform any function. T he storm he aroused was well-set along the party line with a few centre and right-wing republicans joining the left.
The political lin^-up was most unfortunate in that it overlooked the arguments on the motion itself. It was never pointed out that the election to Chancellor is by Convocation—a body in which all graduates of this University can take part. If some members felt so strongly on this matter why did they not get their graduate colleagues to propose another candidate ?
But the arguments were not important. Few knew, and less cared, what the Chancellor did, or who would be the ideal person. The vote came at last and by 120 to 103 the motion was defeated and the meeting that had lasted three weeks came to an end.
"Beaver" Wonders . . .
Where is Northampton?
When the Welfare Committee will start an Introductions Bureau.
What does the Chancellor do?
If N.E.C. knew that " Beaver " was a vegetarian.
What Prof. Smellie really thought of the Union.
Vice versa.
If Constitution Committee will be purged.
If the President should have thanked the judges at the Beveridge Debate, even though a Tory won.
Why the Vice-President for External Affairs has suddenly begun to frequent Union Hops?
.And, finally, we repeat the query in the last issue:—Who is the Editor of " Beaver " ?
Sayings of the Week
Overheard at the Administrative Staff reception : Commander Warren-Evans to Dick Lustig, " How long have you been President of the Union? " Mr. Lustig now wants to know where he can get an even larger hat.
^ ^ :>c
The Common Rooms Officer, when asked why the School had refused permission for the use of the Graham Wallas Room during dances, replied innocently, " I think its something to do with the etchings ".
* * * *
Paul Allard to Margaret Jenkins (" She typifies the insuperable bril-MaJice and charm of so many London ladies "—Sennet), " May I join your Fan Club? "
HORS-D'OEUVRES
Mutterings can be heard below the surface of L.S.E.'s Liberal Society. It appears that the executive of their University Association considers that Messrs. Thompson and Co. blundered badly by working out a compromise with Labour. We await with interest the result of this affray.
Presidential Elections
At long last it appears that the Socialists have found a Presidential candidate in Brian Van Arkadie, the President of U.L.A.L.S.A. At various times in their panic the Socialists have considered a United Front (of Communists, Socialists and Liberals) supporting Okoro-dudu, a First Year student from Nigeria, Claudio Veliz, and Ken Pearmain. As the other candidate, Roland Freeman, has had his campaign going for nearly a month. Van will have to pull his socks up, particularly as Freeman has the support of Con. Soc., Lib. Soc. and some prominent people in Lab. Soc.
The Defunct Societies
For nearly a year now the Pacifist Society has consisted of Tony Gibson. This column considers that the Union should wind this farce up immediately. If the Union is unwilling to take this step, then at least this society should be ejected from the Political Societies Committee, where it has the same voting power as the other political societies.
For the same reason this column suggests that the Free Europe Society should either dissolve or re-
©bituarg
We regret to announce the death of E. W. Reardon, an evening student at the School, who was killed in a road accident on December 14th.
(continued from previous column)
organise itself, as I am informed that it has only eleven members and no properly elected ofiicers.
Beaver Club
Have you made use of your club yet? tf you have, you know the sort of thing we do. If not, let me tell you.
Every week we arrange to visit theatres, cinemas or places of interest. Beaver Club has seen among other plays Terence Rattigan's " Separate Tables ", and " Prince Igor " by Borodin.
On February 3rd a whole day's programme was arranged. It included visits to the Houses of Parliament, the film " The Wages of Fear " and, in the evening to the ¦' News of the World " officcs where the paper was in the process of production.
Forthcoming attractions include visits to the Royal Mint and Mount Pleasant on February 16th, the Old Mc on February 25th, the Craven A factory on March 2nd, the '' Magic Flute " at Sadler's Wells, and if the authorities are willing, London Airport.
Suggestions for future expeditions will be very welcome.
TAe Lecturer
A Heckler The Lecturer A Man in a bozcier hat The Lecturer
Lecturer shouted down
(Surprising scene at University)
Ladies and gentlemen, the paper which I propose to read on Sunday . . . The Observer ?
(in surprise); Is there any other paper ? I think . . .
I congratulate you ; you too are qualified to read The Observer.

A Man in a trilh^ hat 'The l.ecturer Council for the Defence
The Lecturer A Feminist A Committee Member The Lecturer The Committee Member The Lecturer
An Intellectual The Lecturer
AnM.P. The l.ecturer
yj^d. every Sunday
1 don't think . . .
iktter still; The Observer will make you! May I ask if my learned friend is deliberately concealing the fact that Paul Jennings and Harold Nicolson write in The Observer ?
I was on the point of mentioning Philip Toynbee and Eric Blom . . . And Miss Lejeune, and Marghanita I-^aski, and Stevie Smith.
(accusingly): What about the Sports Page ?
(hurriedly): I was going to say that it had H. B. Toft on rugger . . . . . . and the universities' and schools' results.
(apologetically): In fact a Full Back page
to Cover Points Right Outside all other
papers' scope . . .
Sir, that is unworthy of you !
Sir, it is now six days since 1 was
refreshed b) The Observer !
Mr. Speaker, on a point of order . . .
To order it, indeed, is the only way to
be sure of one's copy.
THE OBSERVER
This advertisement was written by M. J. I'rarn, of V.mmanuel College, Cambridge, and designed by Raj Karer, of the Central School of Arts and Crafts, London
BEAVER
FebrijAry 17th, 19;:
Enyo
I
It's All in the Game
L.S.E. 1st XV v. Borough Road Training College (Away)
If Mr. Rocky Marciano had strayed by mistake into this game he would probably have taken the next plane back to New York convinced that if this was typical of the behaviour of the average young Briton in a so-called friendly match of Rugby, then to stay and meet Don Cockell on unfriendly terms in a small rope-enclosure would be tantamount to suicide.
The " game" took place at the Borough Road ground with a Borough Road studen: in charge of the proceedings, making sure that the Queensbury rules were observed.
Play opened quietly with L.S.E. seoring in the first two minutes. Soon after this the lanky Borough Road second row forward, who was to take a leading part in events hereafter, decided that it was time to end the preliminary sparring by taking a swing at an L.S.E. forward. He chose the wrong man for this opening gambit, as he realised to his horror, when the said forward replied, quite justifiably, in kind. In the next few minutes the same second row forward connected with a right cross to a forward's jaw and a rabbit punch to the full-back's neck.
Passive Resistance
Deciding that the policy of passive resistance can be carried too far an L.S.E. player tried his hand with a left to the solar plexus, an experiment which he lived to regret when the lanky second row forward came to the conclusion that horizontal heavyweights were just as prone to punishment as vertical ones, despite the old dictum that one should not hit a man when he's down. The first half came to a close with the Borough Road left wing-three-quarter slapping our Captain's face with all the venom of an outraged virgin. The rugby score was by this time eight all.
The second half carried on where the first left oflF. L.S.E. scored a try which the referee decided was not allowed for in the book of rules and soon after this incident he explained to the players a new conception of the rules of line-out play which, no doubt, the Rugby LJnion will adopt some day.
Valuable Ally
Meanwhile our lanky friend had been carrying on the good work and he soon found a valuable ally in the v/ing-forward. The latter player introduced a new element into the game by deciding that fists were not nearly so efficient as boots. Our lanky friend was delighted at this example of ingenuity and proceeded to kick the heads off all and sundry with great aplomb.
At this juncture a local schoolmaster appeared on the scene with his fiock, l5ent, no doubt, on teaching his pupils the finer points of the game. On seeing the Borough Road wing-forward take a kick at our stand-oflF half several seconds after the whistle had blown the schoolmaster blanched visibly and hurried his charges away.
Last Fifteen Mjnutcs
The referee was by this time considerably grieved by some of the highly accurate descriptions of him (continued at foot of column 4)
11: orking for the A.U. is not considered to be one of the recognised aims of the L.S.E. student. lie either wants to obtain a good degree, play games, or become a full-time politician. During the past few months we have realised that the little office in Clement's Inn Passage is perhaps the only place in L.S.E. where argument never develops into slander and struggles for power are carried through after the manner of sportsmen. Elsewhere on this page we print an appreciation of Bill Hughes. Here we extend it to the whole E.xecutive. The A.U. may be the most undemocratic institution in the world, faced, too, with almost complete apathy on the part of individual club members, yet club committees so fight for the money, which is the A.tj.'s chief concern, that we are made to feel that all clubs are assured of getting their rights.
The fact is that they usually are assured of their rights, because once a club introduces extraordinary elements into budget claims, all other Executive members attempt to sort things out, not on the basis that they want the grant themselves, but because the A.U., to function properly, must draw a line in its generosity to member clubs. They appreciate that new clubs need higher grants for initial outlay, that a fencing bag does wear out after live years—but always want to know what the Soccer Club did with the few dozen new footballs they had last season.
Achievements in sport give this college a far better name than most of its other activities. We have good clubs, many of which never have full strength teams or crews because " Purples " are hardly ever available for L.S.E. sides. Yet with our finest players absent, the high standard is maintained in competition with other colleges.
The relation between the clubs and this page has steadily improved. At first it was almost a matter of high bribery to get contributors to report matches and games. Now, at a word from the Sports Editor, reports are graciously turned in, even though there is always a last minute panic. Helpfulness and friendliness have been the two things making the page for the past months. Working for the A.U. has brought to one person a sense of belonging to, and being a part of, the real L.S.E.
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Now that Bill Hughes has reached the end of his term of office as A.U. President if is appropriate that a word or two should be said about him. Very little has been mentioned of his activities before he came to L.S.E. mainly because he is not the type of person who wanders around the College wishing to give all and sundry advice on the grounds that he has had plenty of experience.
Road Transport
Regular schooling finished for him when he was fifteen and he took up a job on road transport. This was interrupted in June, 1944, when he joined the Royal Navy at the age of seventeen and served till the end of the war in Japanese waters. After the war he returned to transport and after much hard work he was awarded a State Scholarship for a thesis he had

written on the subject. This enabled him to come to L.S.E. in 19S2. Bill finishes this summer and is then going to the United States to do even more work on road transport.
He is well known in L.S.E. for his activities in the Mountaineering Club, but his other sporting interests may have been forgotten. He plays tennis for the College, used to run a very fast mile and even used to cycle road race. Whether the atmosphere of the A.U. has made him an enjoyable companion we are not to know, but certainly there is hardly anyone in L.S.E. with his talent for telling a good, interesting story and convincing the listener that it is true—Tan Hcrian's life story as recorded in a previous issue of " Beaver" is just one example of Bill's imaginative attitude towards his friends.
A.U. Presidency
When he became President of the A.U. last year the sports staff of this paper almost hounded the whole of the A.U. Standing Committee out before they had been given a chance to prove their worth. Where a humble apology is definitely needed it is going to be given and we give it here. The suggestion made by the President that a representative of " Beaver " should attend all A.U. meetings has helped both the average reader to see the working of the A.U. and helped to clear up all misunderstandings between this paper and the Executive.
New Boats
Perhaps Bill Hughes will not be remembered for the vividness of his personality as an A.U. President, but the Sailing Club and the Boat Club will always be grateful for his work in getting them new boats. Others cannot ignore his ability in controlling the activities of the A.U., especially at lixecutive meetings. He has helped to keep much of the bitterness which exists in our " Big Brother " organisation out of the A.U. and if this were his only achievement he deserves our thanks.
Shades of Chiswick
by Dennis Bizeray If you have got anyone in your club who might aspire to tl>: Presidency of the A.U. then you should elect him club treasurei This will ensure that subscriptions are diligently and persistentlj collected and the voting power of the club concerned will be full) realised.
We greet with enthusiasm tk book by Brian Carpenter o: " Poise, Finish, and other neglecte: aspects of Rowing " (Gollanz, 7/fi It fills a long-empty space on tki shelves of rowing literature. Tk style, though functional, has . peculiar and original grace of is own. The gentle humour (neve could it be insulted by the vulgr. epithet " wit ") is repeated over anc over and over again as we turn tk pages. The advice it gives on row ing is. of course, extremely fatuoit and, indeed, even dangerous to tk uninitiated, but one must remembe: that the circle of potential reader; in L.S.E. is confined to the Boa: Club, who know all there is ti know about rowing. The true value of the book, and great is iti value, lies in the challenging statements that its author so gently and persuasively makes, stimulating all those who disagree, as they all must, into realising just how right they really are.
* * * *
Perhaps you have noticed a feeling of spring in the air—members of the opposite sex—the stars—the sun—the return of beaver—and the exit of Cassandra—all leading to the general impression that, something is going to happen.
IT is. On the '26th of February IT will happeft. IT is the most important social event of the term, possibly the year. IT is the Boat Club Dance, acknowledged by all as the dance the Boat Club run, as organised by the Boat Club, and carried through by the Boat Club to your undoubted enjoy::-.c::t and the Boat Club's undoubted loss. Such lavish entertainment can be provided only once a year by the grace of the celestial Entertainments Committee. If you miss this one you have a whole year to wait for the next one—if you should be fortunate enough to be around to enjoy it, which certainly isn't worth gambling on, come to the Boat Club Dance—I mention this onh' in passing.
* * * *
The Boat Club taxi is no more to he seen outside the L.S.E. waiting for the tenth passenger to climb inside. Rumour has it that the taxi is sulking in a Westminster side-street with a pain in its carburettor. More likely that it took affront at being topped with a bonnet of such a lurid yellow—well, how would 30U like it?
He * * *
As )'ou all know by now, Mr. Brian Van Arkadie—known in rowing circles as the lying Dutchman (incidentally he is not Dutch) —is going to be the next President of the Students' Union, provided of course that enough of you remember to vote for him. I understand that Van has promised every society in the Union that he will join them when he takes office. It is a long time since a Boat Club member has found time enough from his rowing to devote some of it to the thankless job of President. We only hope that he will be availab'e to cox the 1st Mil at Henley this year.
It is with pain and regret that the Boat Club bids farewell to two valiant comrades who have fallen by the wayside in the foyer of the Library:
" John and Tony were lovely and pleasant in their lives, And in their death they were not divided."
Ashes will be cast upon the water at Chiswick as soon as they are ready and a daily memorial servia will be conducted on the ground floor of the "Three Tuns" at
lunch-time each week-day.
* * * *
Your support is solicited for the Boat Club in the Quintin Head, which is to be held this Saturday. Supporters will be allowed to purchase refreshments for participants after the event. This is a special concession only obtained after protracted negotiation and it is hoped that now it is available it will not be neglected.
Water Polo Wins
Since the last issue of " Beaver " the Water Polo Team has played three more matches in the University League, all of which were won. L.S.E. netted 40 goals to their opponents' 4, beating St. Mary's II by 9 goals to 3, St. Thomas' Hospital I by 12 to 1 and N.L.C. by the highest score of all, 19 goals to nil.
Smith has been the outstanding player, scoring no fewer than twenty of these goals, whilst Owen, Brecknell and Turner have added the others. Burgess at back, though not appearing in the list of scorers, has been a tower of strength, whilst Winch has done much to keep the opponents' scores down to four.
Altogether teamwork and speed of swimming have been the main factors in this success.
m. a. brecknell.
(continued from column 2)
which were being circulated by the L.S.E. team and threatened to send two of the worst offenders ofl the field. Somewhat to our disappointment he failed to carry out his threat. Borough Road scored two tries in the last fifteen minutes and the game finished with the tall gentleman disappearing under five L.S.E. forwards who unfortunately got in each other's way in their praiseworthy endeavours to clinch the verdict with a knockout. Thus with the sound of three hearty cheers Borough Road walked off the field winners by 14 points to 8.
EXIT EXERCISE
The Women's Hockey Club 1st XI have not played a game this term. The weather has let us down frequently and even last Saturday, when we were looking forward to an excellent match against Somer-ville College, Oxford, what appeared to be a beautiful day in London was apparently the beginning of a blizzard out in the wilds. The position is becoming desperate because, although the weather can be blamed for many cancellations we ai-e also having difficulty in fielding teams.
A club of over twenty should be able to produce eleven of these for Saturday games, although Wednesday afternoons are, and always will be, a very different proposition. When the team is at full strengtk we have very good matches and manage to win by teamwork and co-ordination. As things are at present, inclusion of strange players who have not had regular games involves spending the first half getting accustomed to changes.
Cup Match
We still have high hopes for the future. On Saturday we play the semi-final of the University Cup against Royal Holloway College, There is a nossibility that our two University players will be free for this game and this should give us a fine chance of reaching the final which, we expect, will be against K.C^L., who are the toughest college side we play.
Published by the Students' Union of the London School of Economics, and printed by Sales (Wright) Ltd., 3 Rectory Grove, London, S.W.4.