No. 1164 Nov 8th, 1®77 BRAVER NEWSP^ Fire fiasco at Passfield What is a student's life worth? "Obscene" inadequacies in - the Passfield fire system have brought this debate to the fore. On Friday last, when at 7.00 a.m., a fire drill was "organised" 25% of the student body failed to turn up at the point of assembly in the street. WHY? They had not been told to, nor lor that matter had the first alarm woken them up. Why not? The hall is made of seven houses which have seven alarm systems which require seven bells to be rung to wake all the residents. Unfortunately this they fail to do: many of the students who made it Whitewash attempt ON the 31st of October a building committee went round the hall and then sent Julian Ingram, the Senior Treasurer, a report of the meeting for him to sign. He has refused to do this because the report is a blatant attempt to cover up the deficiencies found by the committee. "It's scandalous that report, it really is," said Max Poore, who represented Ingram on the committee. The report says: "The gates affording access to the street . . . were not normally locked". When Kay Forrester read this report, she said: "I lived there for a year and they were always locked". The report continues "Dr Perl-man explained that the Hall held fire drills annually (in October). At the recent drill about 130 of the 173 residents had evacuated the building. The Surveyor was asked to investigate comments of low audibility of the alarm in certain areas". No mention of course, of the fact that the drill was at 7 a.m. and therefore 'comments of low audibility' are due to the fact that the students involved just did not happen to be sitting around at 7 a.m. waiting for an alarm bell to street level, were woken by the sound of activity. The other 25% were simply asleep. For the students on the upper floors who have to use the fire "escape," the first step is to negotiate the LOCKED fire exits (for security reasons) and the rusted conditions of one of the escapes. Who pays? Mr Wilson (Building Surveyor) says it is the responsibility of the University of London, and someone blames someone else and so on as usual. Thanks to the Liberals and in particular, Ian Woodcock, for instigating the investigation. GUV ELLIOTT to go off. Of course in a real fire situation everyone would be hanging round the locked exit doors (sorry, of course they are not usually locked) just waiting till some sharp eared individual overheard the alarm. One of the fundamental problems is that Passfield Hall is registered as a private house rather than as a hotel, this means that the hall does not have to come up to the standards required by the authorities if it had a different classification. Another pearl. of understatement. "Minor defects in the roof balus-trading were noted". These defects are only a common or garden rusted balustrade, rusted through but who cares anyway it is not as though anyone would have woken up sufficiently to negotiate the door flocked or otherwise) in the first place. The disgusting thing is the way that they have tried to fob us off with this report which misrepresents the facts so blatantly. Max Poore says that the major concern which Mr Wilson (school Surveyor) seemed to have, was the cost of any improvements. GUY ELLIOTT GRUNWICK VIOLENCE GRUNWICKS on Monday was the scene of terrible violence, almost all of which came from the so-called protectors of law and order. The events were so confusing that it took about fifteen people to compile this story—we think we have produced a fairly accurate picture of what actually happened. We don't, however, excuse our obvious bias. If you had been there, whatever political group you belong to, you too would have been as horrified and incensed by the actions of the police as we were. The sequence of events as compiled by our eyewitnesses w:as as follows:— 7.00 am—People beginning to arrive by the minute. At this point the police were lining both sides of Chapter Road but were not very much in evidence. We had, however, been warned by an incredulous postman that there were hundreds of policemen in the back streets waiting. 7.30—By this time some 250 students and members of Nalgo had managed to block the centre of the back road to Grunwicks, Cooper Road. The police began to form in earnest. A police bus moved up behind them ready for arrests and the police then moved in to break the ranks of pickets and made many arrests. 8.45- Pickets near to Dollis Hill Tube station managed to block the gate to the factory and at the same time pickets on each side of Chapter Road managed to block the road. Tne police moved in, hitting anyone and everyone. Shortly afterwards the police started clearing the gate side of Chapter Road. First they brought in horses; then, when they had gained the road, the horses withdrew leaving a deep band of police. 9.30—New scuffles at the end of Cooper Road resulted in yet more arrests and violence. Back in Chapter Road one policeman, an officer, was seen to speak to some others, pointing to one bloke in the crowd he said, "We want him." The police started dragging individuals off the pavement, surrounding them and beating them up. At this point someone else was also pulled out of the crowd. He was surrounded by police who kicked at his feet until he fell. On the ground they continued to kick him, then they left him there to be trampled on. He had to be taken away on a stretcher and blood was pouring from his mouth. His ribs were cracked. Someone else tried to walk down the centre of the road clutching his head; as he walked different policemen kicked him and hit him, dashing from the police line to do so. Further down Chapter Road people wrere beginning to crowd into the road. Demonstrators planted two cars across the road and let down the tyres. About • seven hundred people marched • round via Deacon Road to join the crowd. The police formed a line across the road and twice had managed to break- up the crowd in the centre of the road. With the growing numbers of pickets four Special Patrol Group buses drew up behind the crowd. Suddenly we found ourselves blocked in on both sides and unable to move. 10.00—The crowd began to panic as the SPG began to form. Linking arms, some of us were facing the SPG whilst others, nearer the gate, turned to face the police in front, several of whom were openly hitting everyone they could reach and clawing at people's faces. The next thing to happen was the most terrifying event of all. The SPG1 used their tactic known as the "Flying wedge". Linking arms, they charged straight at the crowd in an arrow formation, the idea being to split the crowd down the centre. Most of us were crushed badly and the only escape route was across and into gardens. The weight of the crowd being crushed brought down one of the garden walls and people scrambled into the garden te get, away from an increasingly violent SPG. At this point we witnessed the only act of crowd violence that we were aware of, as some idiot threw two bricks at the police. There were angry cries from other pickets of "You'll kill someone!" This was the cue the SPG had been waiting for—they went berserk. People were being beaten up all around us as the SPG grabbed them and tried to pull them back into the road and away from the gardens and incidentally away from the groups they were frantically trying to stick to. The SPG were evidently not content with having cleared the road. Liz Baltesz received a deliberate and coldly executed kick in the stomach and had her hair pulled by several other policemen. Ed Walker was arrested when having been told to "Move away, you cunt" by one member of the SPG he replied "Ask politely." At this the policeman in question started thumping him on the head and then dragged him off. Worst of all perhaps was the girl who was grabbed by the hair by one SPG man, then hit by a second. When she fell to the ground she was kicked by a third man. As she struggled to get up she had her glasses removed and deliberately broken. The whole operation' had become a deliberate attempt to terrorise everyone there. The SPG were shouting "Cunts, scabs" and worse and were deliberately provocative. At about the same time the workers' bus made its way up Cooper Road. Jacky Rushforth was set upon by several policemen and kicked, whilst someone else was knocked down in the roae and narrowly tnissed being run over. Back in Chapter Road the SPG turned and started to run back down the road. Everyone ran panic-stricken. 10.45—The Strike Committee held a mass meeting in Cooper Road and it was decided to march to Willesden Green police station to demand the release of those arrested and to protest against police brutality. There were about four thousand marchers. Outside the police station the size of the crowd inevitably blocked the road. The police brought in reinforcements. There were few arrests but. the violence was incredible. People were being dragged from the crowd, beaten up and then thrown back into the crowd. The police succeeded in lining up the pickets on either side of the road, which they blocked at both ends. There was panic as small groups were isolated and crushed against walls. Faced with a difficult situation the Strike Committee asked pickets to disperse quietly and slowly, but the police responded with further attacks. One .policeman in particular went wild and started kicking and hitting anyone in sight, even though his inspector was trying to restrain him. Eventually he had to ask for police help to get out of the crowds. This was not an isolated incident. As the pickets tried to disperse the police began, their final attack, forcing pickets into side streets and away from the High Road and thus the Tube station and bus-stops. I am not claiming that there was no crowd violence—inevitably I could not have seen everything that happened, but I did not see one injured policeman. To be fair, the real violence came from the Special Patrol Group rather than ordinary policemen, although this is a general statement. But the question to be asked must surely be not "Were the police provoked?" but "Is it practical to place one part of society above the rest and expect it to be infallible?" If it is not, we would be far better off without a police force. CAROL SAUNDERS Wt f UV i-sc_ Wednesday, 9th November 7.45 pm PEOPLE Three Tuns—FREE Saturday, 12th November 7.45 pm NEIL ARDLEY £1.00 advance Friday, 18th November 7.45 pm USERS and SOFT BOYS FREE Friday, 25th November 7.45 pm THIS HEAT 30p advance Saturday, 26th November 7.45 pm 1 SAD CAFE 80p advance Friday, 9th December 2.00 pm COUSIN JOE FREE Saturday, 10th December 7.45 pm SPLIT ENZ £1.00 advance Probably best known for his classic work "Kaleidoscope of Rainbows"' Neil Ardley has earned widespread critical acclaim throughout his career. I unashamedly quote . . not oniy is Neil Ardley one of our most important composers in any idiom but that' this work is probably the most significant composition since—what ? Sgt. Pepper, Pet Sounds, Gil Evan's Miles Ahead and Tubular Bells" Melody Maker. In fact "Kaleidoscope" has been hailed as a classic by everyone from NME to the Sunday Times. Hopefully this piece won't have appeared too pretentious and word-of-mouth a recommendation and will convince you to buy an advance ticket. £1.00 from the Union Shop (restricted number available on the night at £1.20). Doors open at 7 45 p.m. SISTER SUN and a real ale bar should ensure a full night's entertainment on Saturday 12th. RECOMMENDED CONCERT GUIDE TUBES (Hammersmith Odeon) Nov. 11th/12th JOHN MARTYN (Rainbow) Nov- 21st. RICHARD HEiLL and VOI DO IDS (Music Machine) Nov. 14th & 15th. THIRD WORLD (Roundhouse) Nov. 19th. GRAHAM PARKER/ CLOVER (Rainbow) Nov. 25th & 26th. Neil Ardley. THE USERS & THE SOFT BOYS Ra* Records Night : Friday, 18th November. Three Tuns Bar. Free. PUNK and New Wave arrives at the L-SE in the very fine form of the Users and Soft Boys from the Cambridge Home of Raw Records. The Users will be making their London debut in the Three Tuns. If they generate anything" like the energy demonstrated on their last single, "Sick on You", then some real fun is in store next Friday. Supplying some Gothic new wave with John Cale/Captain Beefheart overtones will be the Soft Boys. Likewise the songs will be short and the energy content high. There is no admission charge so come along on the 18th to see two of the most exciting examples of new. wave around. PEOPLE Wednesday, 9th November, 8 pm. FREE, Three Tuns Bar Following the success, of the recent soul/folk/reggae night with STOCKYARD, Ents-are giving you rough'-/ the same mixture on Wednesday night when PEOPLE Will perform in the Union Bar. Admission free. For more details of these and other events, including a projected OTHER CINEMA benefit concert possibly with the- TOM ROBINSON" BAND, Bar socials and free lunchfime entertainment, drop b-y at S118 (opposite the Union Office). Remember the'open meeting of those interested in the activities of Ents every Thursday at 1 pm in S118. New Faces are always welcome. A NOT COR'NWELL, _Soda- Secretary. APOLOGIES: for the postponement of the'M.E-ASERS' debut-in the Three Tun,, Bar from November 4th to Wednesday, November 30th. Admission will still he free and they've a live "Thamesbeat" single out on .Arista next week. Tfc.s postponement was totally out of our control since the band refused to appear at LSE following a brief scuffle' in Barclays Bans with members of the S.W.P POSTSCRIPT TO JIM CAPALDI: it's 3.0'0 am: 16 houBS after the equipment was hauled- on to' the OT. stage: ENTs returned a profit, kept tickets to a quid and sent a lot at people out into Houghton Street in a good mood ... it was still one heiluva lot of world / away C'flfsmwEiLL,. Never mind the bollocks, here's the Sex Pistols RANOY NEWMAN "Little Criminals" (WEA'J WELL worth the long wait since the last collection of finely crafted songs, observations and wit from America's Randy Newman. London concerts are rumoured for January and this album is certainly up to his very higijd past standards. OAEViO ALLEN: "Now is the happiest time of your life." Released on the newly-formed Affinity label by Charly Records, this album is a delicate late-night blend of whimsy and space music whic'W relaxes and entertains in typical Gong fashion. It is largely home-records# and retains a vitality and warmth that comes in total contrast to the next album which was recorded in a studio in the Berlin Wall. DAViO BOWIE: "Heroes" (RCA). • This album will probably lose Bowie many "old" fans and yet convince me and others of his progressive genius. Following on the tren-jt set by his last album, LOW, Bowie has again chosen to explore witlr electronic music and write/record in Germany. Robert Fripp and Brian Eno clearly influence Bowie's musical direction: i.e. one clearly cannot dance to any of it. In the right fr%tne "or mind. "Heroes" is proving to yield remarkable power. SECRETS: "The Young Ones" (Arista). If your ears have recovered from hearing the Secrets' bombastio performance in the Three Tuns, then lend one of them to this new single on Arista. It is a version of the old Cliff Richard hit which when aired by the BBC provoked Cliff himself to 'phone in and make an irate demand that the disc be removed from the nation's airwaves! As you'd expect the 3BC complied with his request . . . ANOY CORN WEILL. Saturday, 12th November, 7.45 OLD THEATRE THE eagerly awaited album by Britain's most infamous band finally hits the streets, albeit rush-released to avoid unwary punters spending their money on the import, and before too many people discover how to get hold of the elusive 'Spunk' bootleg. Despite much that has been said about the ability (or lack of it) of this band, this is a bloody fine album. It should not be listened to in a comfortable chair with headphones, it's one of a rare kind of rock album that demands action : not an album for the passive. Get up, jump around, shout, but sure as hell you won't sit still. All four singles are included on the album, but these are by no means the only tracks worth listening to. The other tracks (Seventeen, Submission, EMI, Bodies, Liar, No Feeling's, Problems and New York) are all powerful comments in the mould we have come to expect from music's anarchists. As I said before, this is a rock album of the highest quality, one you can't just sit down to, and it's not many albums that can demand action from a listener and actually get it. "Eat your heart out on a plastic tray." Naf. THIS event has already beerL acknowledged as a real exclusive in jazz circles—the sole London appearance on' a short tour of selected Universities and Arts Centres by Neil Ardley. The billing, "An Evening with Neil Ardley" is likely to prove very apt since his live performances often include informal lectures in addition to the main solo set ar.d contributions from the impressive array of musicians who have worked with Neil in the past. Basically November 12th in the O'd Theatre will see a spontanec s and rewarding night's enterta -merit via a quadraphonic PA system. 0 PAGE 3 STAFF REPLY ADDRESSED TO THE GENERAL SECRETARY & EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FROM LSE STUDENTS' UNION STAFF (26-10-77). FOLLOWING a meeting of staff yesterday (both A.C.T.S. members and non-members) it was decided that the following points should be brought to your attention: id) In order that the Finance Secretary ef the Students' Union can pay staff their increases as carried by the Union Meeting Friday, 21st October, 1977 and, Executive Committee 19th October, 1977, he would like to receive (in writing) instructions from the Senior Treasurer/General Secretary regarding exact details of these increases and how they are to be calculated, and from what date. ;(2) The staff discussed the front page of Beaver regarding staff salary rises and consider that the action of the Beaver Collective was sensation seeking, biased to the extent that there was no explanation of the nature of the staff' duties and also the figures given for salaries were not present salaries and were incorrect i.e. in all cases were higher than the actual salaries, and even the prospective salaries for February BEAVER COLLECTIVE REPLIES .1978. We understand that the Finance Secretary was not consulted by Beaver on the exact prospective salaries, taking into account recent increases. We would like Beaver to print a disclaimer along the following lines: (1) An apology for breaking an important point of principle in printing on the front page of Beaver (or anywhere for that matter) precise details of each staff member's salaries. It should be noted that Beaver is not read just by students but by all admin, and maintenance staff of the school. (2) The figures for salaries as at February 1978 were incorrect and were higher than they should have been (one member of staff, the Finance Secretary wished this point to be worded differently and so his objection is recorded). (3) The staff obviously feel that students, if they wish should have access to the amount of salary paid to their staff, and would suggest that it is made clear to students that if they wish to obtain this information, it can be obtained from the Senior Treasurer or the Finance Officer. EMMA HAMILTON-BROWN (acting secretary ol A.C.T.S.) 41) We apologise for bringing the true figures to the attention of the mass of students whose Union Subscription pays for the staff. (2) We apologise for informing members cf the Executive (who consider themselves competent to vote for staff pay increases) what the actual levels of staff pay will be when they obviously prefer blissful ignorance. (3) We apologise for the fact that the figures for February 1978 (estimated) can eniy be proved to be incorrect when we reach that time and we would like to point cut that the figures we printed were worked cut from the submissions to the Executive. (4) We apologise for the fact that our figures are possibly underestimates. (5) We apologise for breaking an important principle in printing the staff wage levels. But we cannot think why the staff would want this information restricted. (6) We apologise for printing the information rather than telling people where to obtain it. Unfortunately we consider part of our role to be the dissemination of information. (7) We apologise for calling the Executive incompetent, even if they are. At the same time we would like to point out that the decision reached about staff pay increases is in fact unworkable and will have to be rediscussed. FURY WE at LSE are often told that we are a superior institution because we adopt a different approach. Not to ask the 'how' questions, as provincial places do. but to ask the 'why' questions. Further I remember inadvertently wandering into a sociology lecture (how else would one attend one?) and hearing some preeminent non-entitv say to the students that they were being taught, "In one of the preeminent centres of learning in the western world." Further. I remember the Dean of Undergraduate studies saying that the LSE was built around the library and that one should use it. LSE students should, therefore, have a library which is capable of providing them with precisely the material which allows the "WHY" questions to be answered. Turning to an example, we are supremely fortunate in being offered on our timetable a course in International Law which attempts to discover WHY international law is obeyed, its social place and significance. International law plays an ever-increasing role in the workings of the international political system and the importance of the Sociology of International Law course would seem to'be clear. Even the possessor of the meanest intelligence should realise the importance of having copies of the "VIRGINIA JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL LAW" in the library. It is an essential reference and a 'standard purchase for many university libraries, particularly in the United States (The Plantations) where the sociological approach to international law holds considerable sway. The central fact is that this most essential journal reflects the American approach which is little known (never mind appreciated) in the UK. Further, our library has been described (erroneously?) as a "national resource". To neglect to have such a basic journal is to stain its reputation. BRUCE FELL. I Xmas info YES, believe it or not, the Christmas Vacation is only five weeks away. Term ends on 13th December. WORK: Some students have already sent out applications for vacation work, enquired at local shops, restaurants, post offices, etc. and applied to the NUS Vacation Work Department at 3 Endsleigh Street, WC1. which posts all offers of work on their notice boards and sends lists to our welfare office as well. NO WORK : The Students' Union Welfare Office will have leaflets available explaining the supplementary benefits procedure once this information becomes known. VACATION STUDY AWARDS: These will be available from the LSE registry to undergraduate students in receipt of awards from: local education authorities, the Department of Education and Science, the Scottish Education Department and the Ministry of Education (Northern Ireland). Watch notice boards for further information. HOME VISITS: While some fortunate students will be off to exotic holiday spots, others will be returning to their families for visits. It seems very important to stress First year THIS term's "freshers' fiasco" —when a September conference for new students was cancelled without warning—has prompted steps to ensure that next year's entrants get a smoother introduction to LSE life. The moving force is the newly-formed "First Years' Society'. Although it will be concerned with a wide range of issues, the Society was born out of dissatisfaction with this term's reception arrangements. More than 100 people have so far joined the Society which will gear itself to protecting the interests of First- Years in three broad areas. These are: ? Entertainment—to enable First Years to get to know students in other departments. ¦ft Welfare—to provide an exchange of information on accommodation, course-changing, etc. ? Academic representation. The Society is keen to steer a non-political course—an "apolitical group concerned with internal politics" is how one member, Marion Smith, describes it. "We may have to stand together as a force in certain eir cumstances but the Society will not be a forum for political beliefs", she said. Though members have decided not to discuss issues that are best debated on the Union floor. David Southwell sees one of the Society's functions as stimulating intei-est in Union activities. David was at pains to stress that the role of the First Year Society is not to compete with second and third year students but simply to "enable a full integration of first years into the whole life of the School". And what will happen next year? According to Marion this year's members might-continue running the Society for the first term and then hand it over to the.ne^' students. "That is'why we deliberately kept the Constitution as flexible as possible", .she said. Anyone wishing to join the Society should contact Clare Pelham, Carr Saunders 410. The next general meeting is on Monday, November 7th at 1 pm in the Old Theatre. KAREN. the fact that overseas students live too far away from home to have any access to their own families at this time of year. Why don't UK students actually overcome their supposed British "reserve" and invite an overseas student home for at least a bit of the holiday season? Would you want to be alone in London over Christmas? Ask someone in your classes—because they certainly wouldn't want to ask you and invite themselves. ROOM SWAPS: Many students (especially overseas students) in halls of residence will be facing physical and financial dislocation over Christmas. Some of the halls close and others have to increase their charges to raise funds from temporary visitors to supplement fees. If you are leaving your accommodation—why not sub-let it to someone from a hall of residence instead? Please leave details of offers and requests with Elana in the Welfare Office (S100). ELANA. Obituary reply SO Bob, Carol, Ed and Alice, and Martin did not want to lag behind the fashionable trend of leftish media to find something nice to say about the Red Army Faction. They might have done a better job. A definition of Terrorism requires more than just superficial two-line definitions. Their Obituary in the Beaver of October 25th seems full of uncritical conceit, of dogmatic self-righteousness. Who are they to distinguish between a just and an unjust struggle, to declare the use of violence as repressive (by the evil State) or as "non-condemnable" by the heroic fighters of flamboyantly intolerant self-appointed freedom ,stragglers) ? "Terrorism is a form of struggle used when all other methods have failed" reads one heartening line of this "Obituary". Struggle towards what aim? What other methods? When can these.be considered as having failed? are blatantly unanswered questions. I am not trying to say that the use of a ballot-box is the only method to change the character of a repressive state, mainly because in a truly repressive state a vote would not achieve a great deal. However, can the FDR be termed a repressive State? Maybe, but such a question should be examined critically and at length in the Beaver, where as yet little space has been taken up by intelligent political discussion. To the authors of the obituary I would suggest that they stay true to their anarchist principles by taking a sceptical view towards any system builder, which is what the RAF essentially seem to be. MICHAEL SZFIRO. % i \ V v^THE most important event that has takenN* ^place in student circles recently was atjf vjSouth Bank Polytechnic. KLAP reveals that>£ ^16 Nigerian government sponsored students ^ v^were threatened with expulsion unless theirv^ ^fees were paid within four weeks, since thel^ ^Nigerian government owes S.B.P. nearly fourv£ ^thousand pounds. I f The only recent news we have is that ihe|t ^students were not expelled. But an influen-^ ^tial LSE student who is also on the Court ^ fof Governors when informed of this situa->f ^tion, said. "O Hell, send in the gunboat". & i -i n* NEPAM, from the North East London4 JiPoly reveal that their union has been pre-4 v^sented with a bill for £7,016 for damages and ^.expenses caused by the occupations last year, vtone of which lasted six weeks. Also at NELP, the playgroup faces eviction because of problems over finance. I THE WARWICK BOAR, in general Jiv-*iing up to its name, does contain a few snip-v vjpets of information. The NUS has just passed >4 J a motion threatening to expel any Students'^ Union which decides to ban a. Jewish Soci-$ |ety. | >> draw its bank account from Barclays. ^ At Warwick the lecturers have backed the 4 ^¦disinvestment from South Africa campaign,^ ¦^and are pressing the Universitv to with- \ 1 X 0 More good news. Noddy and Big-ears will w ^soon be back in Birmingham library, after!* >Vall Enid Blyton were banned eight years* \ago, because they were morally corrupting. $ ¥ X 0 \ AT GLASGOW TECH. the Director hasX ^been making himself unpopular by burning ^ ¦^the College Handbook because certain articles^ ^criticised the place. It could be interesting^ v*if Dahrendorf tried the same thing here. X 1 ' I ^ McGAREL (Poly, of Central London i ^quoted a gem from the WARWICK BOAR,^ ^which reported Jack Jones as saying that4 ^"premature withdrawal would not solve any-S ^ thing", during a speech about the EEC. Per- v £haps he was thinking about something else?^ Food, as usual, if of interest to students.* ^McGAREL reveals that each of its students-^ >?are being subsidised by the Poly at 40p a day J ^throughout the academic year for their food\ ¦^because their catering services are so ex-J Opensive. Somebody at Warwick with a senses *tOf humour thinks "a million students every J vMay pick up a tin of beans and wish there* \was some feasible alternative ..." 1 vj The National Front are attracting atten-ij Stion at South Bank Poly, where slogans werej ^daubed on the Poly buildings and a mem-'S $ber of the Exec, was beaten up when he J Iftried to intervene. $ KLAP also carries articles on Lewisham| >£and the National Front and quotes John* v^Tyndall as saying: "the day our members-*: S forget how to hate is the day we will have J 5>lost". I \ \ LINKS (Thames Poly) announce that J vv their union has banned Punk and new wave! ^music in their Poly. Bloody narrow-minded^ ^reactionaries! v Finally to quote the Warwick Editor, "All<: •t* credits to the student population whose J factions have made the news this week, and^ »Jwhose non-actions have made the newsX X similar to last week's and probably the same*j >}as next week's. Si | RICHARD KITCHEN, v* SOUTHERN AFRICA BLACK POWER STEVE BIKO, founder of the South African Students' Organisation, was the 25th black prisoner to die in South Africa's gaols this year, it is certain that he was murdered and did not die, as the South African authorities said, as the consequence of a week old hunger strike. Pathologists have testified that he died from brain and associated kidney injuries—it's not surprising the government tried to silence black newspapers and organisations by declaring them illegal. Every now and again a story such as Steve Biko's hits the British press. But this is happening every day in the repressive regimes of South Africa and Zimbabwe—hundreds of women and men fighting for their own freedom disappear without trace. We hope that by outlining the appalling conditions you will be encouraged to join the fight against white tyranny in Southern Africa. Pew people realise just how restrictive the South African laws are; no black may have sex with a white, every black over the age of sixteen must show his pass on demand and blacks are banned from cities after dark. No employer may pay a black worker the same as a white worker even though he may be doing exactly the same job. These are some of the everyday perils of being black: even worse is the housing situation. Soweto became well known last year. It's a sprawling black oity on the outskirts of Johannesburg where li million people live in shacks without electricity, hot water, washing or cooking facilities. One in four black workers in South Africa is unemployed —with no welfare state for blacks, these people face starvation. There are townships like Soweto outside every major town and every day those who have jobs travel into the white cities. In June 1976 a rebellion exploded in Soweto. Led by the example of the successful freedom fighters in Mozambique and Angola the children began to protest at the enforced use of Afrikaans in schools: it is a language they can neither read nor write and is the language of white South Africans. What began as a peaceful demonstration ended in a bloodbath, with more than 300 blacks shot dead within a week. The potential power of the blacks in Southern Africa is enormous: it is because of the low wages paid them that international companies have made such fabulous profits in South Africa. It's the threat to these profits posed by the freedom fighters in Zimbabwe that has produced the "settlement dreamt up by the British and American governments. What we must do now is to ensure that the freedom fighters get our support in returning Southern Africa to the blacks—they must not be sold out by the Western powers. LSE IS SOCIETY ZIMBABWE AND NAMIBIA RESISTANCE to racist rule is intensifying daily in Zimbabwe. The Patriotic front advances increasingly on both the political and military fronts. Smith is losing control over large rural areas, and the armed offensive is encroaching on the heart of the white cities killing police reservists, detonating explosives inside military barracks! Smith's illegal regime is only able to resist the escalating struggle with vital aid from Pretoria, intensification of brutal internal repression, the massacring of citizens, by torturing, imprisoning, and executing its opponents. Smith has launched many attacks on neighbouring African states, especially Mozambique. Menaced by the growing strength of the freedom fighters, Britain and its allies are manoeuvring to create a settlement perpetrating foreign and white domination, centring around the Carter-Owen initiatives pressurising neighbouring states and the Patriotic Front into accepting their bogus solution. Owen's proposals leave white power intact—with a resident Commissioner appointed by Britain for the interim period and power remaining in the hands of the present armed forces, police and civil service. The police state will remain intact; there is no mention of an end to detention. How can the liberation forces, having fought for 12 years, be expected to transfer power to a colonial administrator appointed by Britain, the mainstay of Rhodesia since UDI? NAMIBIA SWAPO has increasingly inflicted serious blows on the South African army. Politically, SWAPO's support is growing, and many Namibian groups have dissolved and declared allegiance to them. In reply, South Africa has escalated its torture and terror, attempting to stage a government takeover with its henchmen. ! 4 m This photo was lent by International Defence & Aid Fund for South Africa. GOD'S OWN COUNTRY? OPPRESSED people in South Africa have intensified their resistance. The people of South Africa have raised the struggle to new heights with strikes, school boycotts and campaigns against the puppets in the townships and bantustans. The black majority have a long history of resistance to White domination. After the defeat of the armed uprising of 1906 (Bambata Rebellion t there began a period of non-violent political struggle lasting over 50 years. Successive regimes responded with intensified repression and entrenchment of apartheid. The African National Congress of South Africa (ANC) was formed in 1912 and led these struggles using tactics including mass defiance of unjust laws, national strikes, demonstrations and international appeals. This period culminated in the massacre of peaceful demonstrators at Sharpville in 1960 and the banning of the ANC and PAC. The liberation movement had no alternative but to adopt new forms of struggle. Umkhonto We Sizwe, the military wing of the ANC was launched in 1961 and declared: "The time comes in the life of every nation when there only remains two choices -submit or fight. That time has now come in South Africa." Umkhonto We Sizwe signalled the changeover to armed struggle. The regime responded with more repressive laws and banned, detained, tortured and imprisoned its opponents. During the following years the Liberation Movement built an -underground structure and prepared for sustained armed struggle. Resistance continued to grow with increasing militancy. On black consciousness and organisation, the General Secretary, Tebello Motapanyare. South African Students' Movement (SASM), states: "Black consciousness did play a role in sensitising students. The banning of the ANC left a political vacuum in the field of legal resistance even though ANC was working underground. We did not believe that black consciousness on its own would lead to liberation. When asked if ANC was known amongst the youth, he replied: "I would say ANC was known to students and its ideas influenced many. There was a clear awareness ANC was operating. There were political trials concerning ANC, guerrilla operations in Zimbabwe, pamphlets distributed by ANC. We saw very little of any underground activity except by ANC." Black students began to oppose inferior I Bantu education. On June 16th, 1976 thous- ands of students marched to demonstrate their opposition to the enforcement of Afrikaans in schools. The whole world knows how the regime turned this peaceful demonstration into a massacre and uprising. Eighteen months after "Bloody Wednesday," resistance continues. The people who refused to believe ANC in 1961 when it declared that only armed struggle could overthrow the regime must have been convinced by 1976. Yet some people, notably in the West, continue to talk of "peaceful change" in South Africa. In October 1977 the racists demonstrated then-unwillingness for change by banning the le-maining legal popular organisations. The liberation movement has survived 17 years of life underground—South Africa is once again echoing the resistance with the sabotage of Railway lines and frequent armed confrontation. Two ANC militants appeared in court charged with taking part in an armed attack in Johannesburg less than 400 yards from the torture chambers of Vorster Square Security police headquarters. Two police were shot in a gun battle in which an ANC guerilla was killed. In Durban a notorious police informer was machine-gunned to death in revenge for his part in the torture and conviction of ANC underground activists in Natal. In reply, over 1,000 people have been shot,- several thousand injured and over 10,000 arrested. Since March 1976 24 people have been murdered in detention. This reflects the desperation of the regime. Apart from numerous trials of demonstrators and black students, there are many Terrorism Act trials. The "Pretoria 12" are appearing on charges of particiDating in ANC underground. Two of them—Joe Gquabi and Martin Ramokgadi are alleged to have headed ANC underground. Both of them have previously served sentences on Robben Island—South Africa's notorious political prison. In Britain our role in the struggle against apartheid is to ioin the Anti-apartheid movement and to support its solidarity campaigns. BR1GID ANDERSON LSE Anti-Apartheid Group, SUPPORT the Day of Action — Friday, November 11th—The Demonstration — Sunday, November 13th. The Emergency Union Meeting, Thursday 10th called by Southern Africa Solidarity Campaign, NOISS, NUS, Anti-Apartheid Movement. PAGE 5 Their LSE, but is it ours? MY LSE : Edited by Joan Abse. Robson Books. £5.25, Boards). MY LSE is in some ways a rather disturbing collection of autobiographical chapters, for in it are depicted different worlds, different attitudes, yet the same institution. Many of the contributors who went to LSE some time ago are inclined to dwell on the academic aspects in particular (and probably justifiably) engaging in "Laski worship". More recent students in contact with The School since the 'sixties have concentrated more on student life, ideology, political and disruptive activities. Since the 'sixties, LSE has doubtless been a different organism to that which went before, although whether there has been a maturation or a metamorphosis is open to question. B. K. Nehru is full of enthusiasm in a chapter which emphasises academic involvement, although he observes that contact with contempories was "not very great" and mainly with other foreign students, something a present-day student, Krishendath Maharaj, has in common : "I found it easier to relax in non-white company". There is not much else they have in common. However, whereas for Nehru: "In striking contrast to what it later became it never, during my time ever thought of developing an attitude of confrontation with the management". and, whereas he positively relished contact with academics, Maharaj found disillusionment: "where was the lively, interrelated community of lecturers and students? My personal tutor I saw for live minutes—the benefits of such a system still escape me." He found the LSE student body "a surprisingly apolitical, apathetic mass." and I find it sad that his faith in LSE students was partially restored only by them removing members of the "oppressive Indonesian regime" invited to a seminar "by hammering on the door and cries of 'Murderers Out' and by being active in the Connaught House occupation. The other present-day student to contribute, F, C. Weiss, an American postgraduate, was not, .however, excited into the fight, feeling that a "non-existent enemy" was being fought. Colin Crouch on "The Troubles" writes: "The student movement ... in its central motivation, was the response of a generation to the political and economic conditions of its time . . . Together we shared in the protests of 1966 and 1967 and together most of us later came to feel that the movement was going too far, was no longer pursuing a reasonable aim of increased student participation, and was in danger of wrecking an institution to which we were committed. Affected by the death of a School porter "in the midst of a ferocious demonstration", "I began to doubt whether the issues at stake were really worth it". In a different wav to Crouch's disillusionment, Kenneth Minosue is dispirited by unrest: "student troubles are distinctly nasty events. The sense of aggrieved righteousness that rabidly develops soon leads militants to abuse everyone who disagrees with them. Language deteriorates and the handsheets are full of sneering misinformation . . . humourless fanaticism . . . imaginative poverty . . . Clarity and cogency of thonsht are seldom found among militants. They are often to be found, however, in the students who do not make the headlines and who are implicitly denigrated when the twitchings of militancy are mistaken for independence of mind". This is an opinion clearly not shared by Maharaj. There is a sense of the naive when he states: "The interplay of forces during the occupation was a fascinating spectacle for me. I helped co-ordinate a massive publicity campaign: leaflets for and against littered the refectory tables and were shoved upon indifferent students . . . I became a fully fledged activist whose task was to bring enlightenment to the masses about the threat to a major part of the student body caused by rising fees. The process of education consisted of slipping news-sheets under doors, talking to people, getting petitions signed and in general forcing students to consider the issues." Many of the writers comment on the non-social nature of The School. Both Bernard Crick and Chaim Bormant refer to the building as being like that of an insurance company rather than a university. Bormant says "The LSE offered but a slight sense of community . . . The LSE was a place of work, a machine, and an efficient one. but not quite a university." Obsession with the LSE has led to the exclusion of many things also in the eyes of both P. C. Weiss and Colin Crouch. As an example. Weiss quotes one of his friends : "Back in the States when guvs got together over a beer, they'd talk about cars and girls, here thev talk about macro-economic theory or international communism". He continues: "its students and faculty come together from all over the city during the day. before disappearing into the camouflage of Greater London . . . None of us slows down long enough to get to know more than a dozen or so people well enough to call friends". Something I have seen to be true and much in evidence is Colin Crouch's statement that "Music and the arts in general seem unable to advance beyond the marsins of LSE communal life, despite the efforts throughout its history of Mrs Bernard Shaw. Ladv Becoridge and countless staff and students". In contrast to much of the rest. Ron Moody's entry is a humorous account of his affair, with The School. He describes progression from RAP to LSE. finally "On January 14th, 1948, a magnificent new birthday briefcase from proud and happy parents gleaming in my proud and happy hand, I set off for LSE to begin my new life as a university student". He developed an acquiescent seminar nod and became cartoonist for Beaver and Clare Market Review. Eventually he discovered the library. Enraptured, he declares: "I wanted to stay at LSE forever". He fell in love with a fresher, Isobel, some time later to be 'stolen' from him by Bernard Levin, whom he promptly decided to kill. After a show (a prelude to his future career) he walked "like Pagliacci down thirty flights of stairs to the main entrance and waited there with icy calm to bash his brains in." Pitying him, however, he went back upstairs. All the entries in My LSE show that the institution has left a deep personal mark on all the writers. For many, there is a deep sense of gratitude, of debt for teaching received, for others it was a wav of finding their identity, of maturing. Todav's students, of which I am one. have different attitudes and aspirations from the generation that went before, but to all LSE is a special nlace. a unique existence which none of them regret having- experienced. All students of The School should try to read this book, even though certain parts of it may seem irrelevant to them, for through doing so they will come to a closer realisation of what the place means to those that went before them. Bv doing this they mav come to a true realisation of what it means to them. JONATHAN RICHMOND THAILAND TODAY THE scenes of violence and the consequent take-over by the military was triggered off when the former dictator Marshall Thanom who had been living in exile entered the country with the consent of several influential people. This caused uproars amongst the Thai working class, peasant and intellectuals alike. Confusion and rumours were created that most demonstrators were Communists and wanted to overthrow the Monarchy. As a airect result of the plot to divide the people, the military succeeded in creating an atmosphere of confusion. There were petty fightings between the demonstrators against the dictator and members of the para-military groups. With this excuse in mind, the border patrol policemen, fully armed, stormed the place where demonstrators had occupied peacefully. Again, hundreds of innocent people were killed. Some were ruthlessly hanged and had their eyes gouged out. This time the people were divided The military took the country over that evening and declared martial law. AH democratic rights were suspended indefinitely. . Thousands of people were arrested. Tne consequence of the coup d'etat of 6th. October 1976 was .to polarise the country even further. An unknown number of students, writers and left-wing intellectuals had to flee to the jungle to save their lives. They have now joined the Communist Party of Thailand, which started our struggle some ten years ago. Eighteen student leaders who have been detained since last October are now being tried for their "crimes". Almost all of them are facing death sentences or life imprisonment. They are given no legal council and have to appear in military court. Unless pressure is put on the Thai government the students and the worker leaders will certainly die. For further details and offers of help please write to the Ad-Hoc -Group for Democracy in Thailand. 103 Gower Street, London WC1. BUDGET BANS BABIES BABIES placed at the Centre of Environmental studies cost our Union £5,175 each year, ie £23 5 per cent of the welfare budget. We already have a nursery at LSE, paid for by the School, and subsidised at an average of £7 per week per child. So why, one may ask, do we need to spend £5,000-plus on an external nursery. Simply this: the LSE nursery does not cater for the under twos. While this. 5,000 provides only eight places, showing the high cost of unsub-sidised nursery, some babies have to take shifts in order to allow more students and their children the benefit from the facilities. The CES already takes far more under-two's than over-two's from us. when originally they insisted on a one-to-one ratio because of the high cost of under-two's. However, at present only one place at the CES is taken by an LSE student's child who is over two, so we are already getting as much out of them as we can, and they certainly won't entertain the idea of any more LSE under-two's despite the great need, indeed it's a hard battle to maintain the present advantageous ratio. This need is clearly shown by the fact that there already exists a waiting list for places for 1978-79 as well as a number of babies wanting places for this year, places that they have no hope of getting. Obviously there are difficulties in extending the present facilities to include the under-twos. Greater space, a higher ratio of staff to children, rest rooms, washing and milk-rooms, liqu:d-isers, cooking and sterilising equipment would be required. Due to more stringent fire regulations regarding babies, a ground level building would be pre-, ferable. There are advantages in having a small unit—at present it caters for 15 children ; the atmosphere is intimate and informal : children appear to adapt more readily to small groups. But the advantages in having under twos outweigh this. It would provide a fairly cheap (for central London) refuge for both staff and children with very young children—freeing them from the hazards of child minders, and the possible tyranny of child rearing. So for the -many student parents at LSE a nursery for ALL CHILDREN including under twos is essential. To achieve this students must show they care about the nursery not only by words but by action, such as campaigning to get this union to allocate funds • to help pay for the cost of setting up an LSE nursery for the under-two's. PAUL SMITH Liberal Society. Si ¦%;< ' i — i, : Y'V - m . y ' . v I PAGE 6 Heavy leather resurrection offal News in digests!! NO FOOD IS GOOD FOOD. Tfte "Bad Food Guide," the magazine which informs masochistic people on how to get severe indigestion, has awarded LSE's Pizzaburger the 1977 Heartburn Award for Lousy Food at an Absurd Price. Writing in the latest issue, Mr. A. Pendy Sitis says that "the finest aspect of this truly monumental swindle must be the so-called hamburgers, which ase delicately charcoaled on the outside while remaining utterly raw inside. Generously laced with grease, these splendidly unappetising items retail at an astounding 37p, a price unequalled anywhere else outside the Ritz." Other aspects of the Pizzaburger which Sitis notes approvingly include the plastic cutlery "which when confronted by the leather texture of the pizzas rapidly ceases to be anything but a bad joke"; the recent pointless redecoration and refurnishing of the place, ''the only purpose of which was to justify maintaining prices at their current bandit-style level . •—and the throw-away cutlery, plates and cups which is both marvellously wasteful and expensive. "All in all," Sitis concludes, "the so-called Pizzaburger does a wonderful job, and. in terms of getting an empty feeling in the pocket and a sick feeling in the stomach, I heartily recommend it." REVOLUTIONARY NOTES Our resident revolutionary person writes : After the vile, despicable revelations about staff pay in the last issue of Beaver, the so-called-student paper which is in fact just part of the monopoly-capitalist press which subjects the working-class of this country (OK. OK, calm down — 14 pages deleted here—Eds), the Amalgamated National Organisation of Young Socialists (ANNOY), of which I am chairperson. has drawn up a radical plan. In order to prevent any recurrence of disgraceful episodes of this sort (why the hell should ordinary, common students be allowed to know how much they pay their own staff?) ANNOY believes Beaver should be controlled by an Editorial Board- This would be appointed by a democratic body—i.e., myself— and its function would be to make sure anything inimical to the interests of students (i.e., anything I disagree with or disapprove of) did not get in. I know that some people, like those who work for Beaver, don't approve of this plan, but why should those who do the donkey-work have any say as t.c the contents of a newspaper ? Surely that should be left to peeople (like myself) who have never lifted a finger to help but who make up for that by sheer vocal power. Anyway, I haven't time to write any more as I have to go to an executive meeting and try to censor — sorry, slip of the typewriter there — censure Beaver for practising what I and my party is always preaching (open debate, ac- countability, etc) — oh God what a giveaway ! . . . Please, delete last paragraph (NO— Eds.) BAN THE BANANA ' After the call by some MPs to ban fireworks, some eminent LSE personalities have demanded a ban on bananas. "Bananas may seem relatively harmless, and can on occasions be fun," said one professor, who wishes to remain anonymous— "but every year thousands of people are badly injured or worse by slipping on the skins. "We really can't trust people to treat these potentially lethal objects with care, and so we must regretfully conclude that a slight diminution of liberty is necessary ..." (This article is continued on page nine). kfAEVtES GAUSSEN Burger off : it's hot dog shit THE INEXORABLE RISE OF THE HAMBURGER AND ITS TAKEOVER OF THE WESTERN WORLD. George Orwell got it wrong- by 1984 the Hamburger will have taken over the Western World. Yes, starting as an inconsequential little Rissole in Mother Russia, via German sailors and French Matelots and various members of the S.W.P,, it found its way to the St. Louis Fair of 1904—remember Elvis "It happened at the World Fair"?—well this is a completely different story (sorry fans)—meanwhile back at the fair, a little known food seller—Joe Doe we'll call him— MOLE fcgpw(E noLe MM6- FACT...... HOLE AFTEft fAST ran out of plates 'pon which to serve his rissoles. UTTERLY CONVINCING Being a man out of the ordinary, a veritable Karf Marx of the culinary arts, he seized upon his neighbours' stall Join the ANTI-APAR-*THEID GROUP (L.S.E.) J (2) Campaign! (a) for the release of the i "Pretoria 12" and any > political prisoners and de- J tainees (b) for an end to Western collaboration in Southern Africa — economic, mili- f tary, sporting, academic, 1 cultural etc. (c) for an end tc L.S.E. collaboration with apartheid — academic, buying South African oranges etc (3) Support the LIBERATION MOVEMENTS! (4) Raise material aid for the LIBERATION MOVE--' MENTS Start by donating books (all sorts), clothes, and stationery to the African National Congress for the "Freedom School" it is building in Tanzania. Take , goods to Emma's Room. — S101A. JAZZ CALLING ALL JAZZ MUSICIANS! With the re-convening of the Jazz Society this term, it was felt that it would be very exciting to form an L.S.E. Jazz Band/Bands. There will be a meeting for discussion in Flor-ries extension on Wed 9th Nov at 1 pm. Anyone interested, regardless of his or her musical attainment or tastes, is welcome. 'Those interested but unable to attend, please contact me via the 5th floor Geography pigeonholes, St Clements Building. MARK HEWLETT LSE Jazz Society ERRATUM There was a mistake in the? copy of the last edition oi Beaver. The paragraph in the article, "The Police and the SWP" dealing with the class nature of Fascism should have read ' > "Marxists understand Fascism as a movement of sections of the petty-bourgeois and luinpet? elements driven to despair by economic and social crisis, after the betrayals of workers' ieadf-ers have prevented the labouf movement from pulling these sections behind it. This movement can only achieve power through a capitalist alliance and the absence of revolutionary leadership in the working class." L.S.E. YOfJINIQ SOCIALISTS PAGE 8 V ATHLETIC UNION Rugby L.S-E. 1st XV are in high spirits before U.A.U. southern division frames having defeated Royal Holloway 15pts. to 12 iri an action-packed fixture on Saturday, 29th October at home. After Royal Holloway rushed in a quick try the L.S.E. forwards reacted with heavy pressure. A penalty allowed L.S.E. to even the balances with an easy kick homed by Paul Whitfield. Neil Confrey, bastion of the second row, hammered home four points set up by the forwards' strong loose ball second phase play. The second try was a copy type from Twickenham. Derek Coady surging forward after a successful scrummage was supported by Bob Joshua who kept the ball alive to feed big Steve Derbyshire. This mountain of a man spun the ball to new starlet Jim Powley who successfully ended his brief virginity by going over the line for his first try with the L.S.E. rugby machine. The golden boots of Whacker Whitfield made safe both conversions. Royal Holloway scored a late try but it was against the run of play. The Rugby Union has succeeded in its search for a training coach to fit its close personalised structure and we all extend our warmest thanks and welcome to Mr. David Burns, an L.S.E. old boy and former A.U. president, on his return to the MOB. He has formerly coached the New York Rugby Club and has represented New York State. He requires regular attendance at Monday night training sessions in the gym at 6.30 p.m. Keep On Rucking ! Bob Joshua (Vice-Capt.) Hockey The 1st XI's successful start to the season continued with a single goal U.A.U. victory over Sussex on Wednesday at Fal-mer. Overcoming terrible wet conditions, both sides contributed to a hard fought game marred only by an accident to a Sussex forward. We were subjected to intense pressure but with our only goal attempt. Lawrence Nichols scored with a fierce angled shot in the second half (100% success rate!). Sussex either wasted many chances or were blocked by stout defence. Everybody contributed to a fine team performance under the captaincy of Jan San- ders, and we trooped off in the rain considerably elated—realising how we had stolen the game to Sussex's obvious disappointment. Other results arrtf goal-scorers : 1st XI. v. City and Guilds : won 2-0 (Mason 2)—Friendly. v. Kings II: won 4-2 (Mason 2, Nichols, van Buuren) — League. 2nd XI. v. City and Guilds : drew 1-1 (Trevedi)—Mixed in reality. v. Sussex (U.j^.U.): lost 2-4 (Trevedi, Yeandle). Mixed XI (Sunday games) v. R. Holloway: lost 0-6. Right: Will Evans, AU President ; below, Paul Whitehead, AU General Secretary Hopes are high therefore for future U. A. U., league, and friendly fixtures, and there has been recognition in the national press, justifying expense on new, necessary equipment. Andy Tebb (Press Officer) The truth at last! THE truth about the scandalous article in the Beaver is now revealed. All lies every last misspelled word. Passfield was accused of having PLASTIC idon't faint) GLASSES. Typical of the "untruths", we only use them for Discos, parties and cheap bar nights, and they are rarely used otherwise. It's not the Ritz, but you know what you can do with plastic bars. More to the point . . . tell them about the beer mummy . . . Sam Smiths, Sovereign, Alpine lager, Draught Kronenburg lager, McEwans Export and Draught Guinness. OUR piece de resistance must be, wait for it, Olde Brewary Bitter from Yorkshire for 25p (once a week). An offer which has turned many a cocktail drinker into a REALE ALE phreak. As Confucius say "He who want plenty cheap booze go to Pass-field, He who want smarmy atmosphere pay through the nose and ask Victor Volume and Arthur Ramrod for advice." In truth if there were a general feeling of discontent with Pass-field, then the way to improve the already stupendous selection of beer is to come on in, drink yourselves silly, boost turnover, and tell us what you want . . . See you in the Bar!! CKRIS LANGLEY (Bar Manager) Soccer Cricket Golf THE first few weeks of term are always very difficult and this year has seen its fair share of problems. With so many players wanting to play some will obviously not get a game. We hope everybody will understand the problems and try to help. You can do this by signing on the availability list or let your captain know if you are unavailable. We hope that more people will be able to come to training at the revised gym times Mondays 7-9 pm and Thurs 7-9 pm. If greater interest is shown we will try to hire a professional trainer. In the next few weeks we hope to put out four settled sides on Saturday and five and six on Wednesday. We can only do this if everyone co-operates by ticking off and letting us know if there are any problems as soon as possible. THE Cricket Club held their AGM last week. The main decision to be taken was that of finding a new captain as Paul Whitfield the previous two years' captain had indicated that he was not willing to continue in the post. There were two nominations. Mr Derek Phil-pott and Mr Ma Hari Minnigalsingh. Derek Philpott was appointed Captain for the forthcoming season. There will be indoor cricket nets during the following term, probably at the Michael Sobell Sports Centre in Islington. Last year the cricket team had a very successful tour to Kent. We again hope to go on tour during the - last week of the summer term, as yet the destination has not been finalised, but this is guar>.nteed to be a good way t« end the year. Please keep an eye on the cricket club notice board in the St Clements building concourse area, for details of the indoor nets; players of all ability are welcome. Paul Whitfield The L.S.E. Golf Club is trying to arrange lessons on Wednesday afternoons from the 9th November onwards. Would all those interested please sign up on the Golf Club notice board. Any golfer interested in playing in the U.A.U. matches should also sign up on the notice board. Any members wishing to use the course may get directions from the A.U. or myself. There are clubs available for use., and keys to the lockers may be signed out of the A.U. office. The present Captain is finding difficulties in keeping up with his studies, playing football and maintaining the Golf Club to the high standard to which it is accustomed. Anyone wishing to take over the captaincy please get in touch with me. S. P. Mehta. 'SPORTS PERSON'S DRINKING GUIDE' THIS week our quest for the watering hole of our dreams takes us to the Rose be ry Hall region which could well be our happiest hunting ground yet. Firstly, however, it gives us much pleasure to announce a completely unofficial competition: The Grand "Victor Volume Arthur Ramrod Pub of the Year Competition". What we want you to do is write to us before December 14th nominating your choice as pub (or bar) of the year 1977/ 78. Nomination will be assessed by a panel of five 'experts' and ourselves and the results announced in February. We are hoping to then present an LSE shield to the winner. So start thinking (and drinking) now and write to us, care of the Athletic Union. Now to business. Our first choice for a wild night's drinking is, of course the Pakenham Arms behind Mount Pleasant P.O. on Calthorpe Street. Real ale proliferates, most notable being Arkells and BreakspeSres. This is, however, a pub for beer drinkers and has an unfortunate preponderance of CAMRA freaks. Closer to Rosebery is the London Spa which sports Bass and IPA and a neat range of cold and cooked meals at reasonable prices. Further down Exmouth Market is the Exmouth Arms, recently plushed up and featuring directors for the kamikazi pilots amongst you. Talking of John Courage we also recommend The Horseshoe at the bottom of Rasoman. Street with excellent JC keg, Guinness and Kronenberg lager, and a really friendly atmosphere. The back alcove there holds up to 25 people at a push and is ideal for groups of this size. Going up Rosebery Avenue we find two interesting ale houses at- The back of Sadler's Wells. The first is the Shakespeares Head, again with JC. The snacks are horrifically expensive, however, because of the opera trade. But this is the place to see celebrities from the opera and ballet world, most notable being the 'boys' from D'oyly Carte relaxing before the ballet with sweet martinis and coiffeure comparisons. Almost opposite is the Harlequin which we preferred both price-wise and atmosphere-wise; the Watney's Fined is at least palatable and deceptively strong. For the follower of the pub-strip (sorry girls, it had to be mentioned sooner or later) there is the Peacock on Islington High Street, the Queen's Head in Milmington Square and the Surprise in Northampton Road. But for those of you who put drinking before voyeurism, none of these really have much to offer. On M.vddleton Street we found the Royal Mail which we firmly recommend for the Guinness drinker. This is a Charrington's house which has not yet moved into the world of real ale (an increasingly rare bird in itself). Finally to Rosebery Hall itself with draught Shepherd Neame of the finest quality and one of London's better Tequila Sunrises. This is the best of the LSE hall bars excellently run bv Dave Wickham and his. crew. Don't be put off by the Terminal Three decor, this is a serious drinking bar! Just to mention last week's deliberate error: the Carpenter's Arms-does, of course, sell Bass and not IPA. Congratulations to those of you who spotted it. Don't forget to write to us with your thoughts and queries: this is your column as much as ours. Salut . . . VICTOR VOLUME & ARTHUR RAMROD, Next edition: Victor on "Pubs I have Known (and can Remember!") CHEAP LEVIS, WRANGLERS, SKIRTS & SHIRTS Florries extension 1st Floor, St. Clements Building EVERY THURSDAY CAMPUS CLOTHES Printed by Rinlev Printers Ltd., Ripley, Derby. Published toy London School of Economics and Political Science, Students' Union, St. Clement's Buildings, Claremarket, London, WC2A 2AE.