Most students rely on public transport_
to get to OIT and back ; even if you own a car the parking situation here often means catching a bus or train. No-one enjoys using public transport - being overcrowded, time consuming and uncomfortable - but you expect to put up with such things because it is a cheap way of getting around. Or was.
The Brisbane City Council in its quest for profit has again put up the bus fares, the third increase in two years. This means students making one trip to OIT each day can end up paying nearly $10 a week, hardly cheap travel, especially if you're on TEAS.
What the City Council never seems to · realise is that public transport is not supposed to make a profit - yet they hike up the fares, cover them with beer slogans to increase advertising revenue and the public receives no benefits. No -student or unemployed discounts, and no
increase in services.
Every other state in Australia gives a student bus discount, and New South Wales gives a discount to the unemploy- ed. It seems a farce to even call it
"public" transport in Brisbane anymore.
The phan/om iypsl'trer in the Planet Ojfice
Dear Sir,
I've been a student at the OIT for some four years now, and a most enjoyable four years theyve been_ too. As I say I've enjoyed my time here and I don't like to complain but there•.is one matter that has come to my attent!on that I feel obligated to make comment on.
It is the matter of political bias to, which students are subjected at the OIT.
During the years of the Fraser Govern- ment we were bombarded by masses of anti-government li~erature, at a fairly constant rate.
At first I passed it off as an 'Angry Young Man' phase that our student union leaders ? may've been going through on the rugged path to adulthood.
Now that we have a Labour Govern- ment , however, I see that it may be something far more sinister and premedi- tated. Since the elction of the Labour Government there has been political silence at the OIT, dazzeling in its contr- ast to the previous period.
There may have been occasions worthy of comment recently. The statement of the Labour Minister for Tourism about Koala's comes to mind as one of the most half-arsed comments I've heard over the last ten years. Lets face it the man is a dead set fuckwit!!
And yet not a word has been said/writ- ten. I can imagine what would've happen- ed if a Liberal politician said the same thing.
I believe • rndents cop enougt, shit in the lecture room without the union ramming the: own political views down our throats c, every possible chance.
am a close personal friend of ALISON WHITE and will be trying to persuade her to run for president at the next union elections.
MICHAEL HOPONTOPOVUS President for the Council for a Resp- onsible Student Union.
P.S. God save Alison White.
Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th Next Deadline - Monday August 4th
Dear Ed,
As a socially aware apple cuc- umber, I would like to protest against a certain article, published in the last edit- ion of PLANET. Firstly, I am not, have never been, and are unlikely to ever be six inches long! Secondly, I am most shocked by the implication that any self-respect- ing cucumber would ever have an unnatu- ral relationship with a human. I never have, and I don't know any cucumber that has.
In conclusion, I found that the article was defamatory, degroatory and generally in bad taste.
Yours in displeasure, A CONCERNED CUCUMBER
Editor - Jenny May
Assistant Editor - Katie Langbroek Graphic Artist - Linda Carroli Layout - Linda Carroli
THE PLANET is 1he official publication of the Clueensland Institute of Technol-
OfN S1Udant Union. Enquiries: 2213144.
PLANET is published by the President of the Student Union, Pe1er Stewart.
-Jenny May Contributors John Morwood Mark Creyton Greg Raeside Brad Cooper John Brinnand Mathew Condon Andrew Watt Patrick Whitman D.J. Wright Bruce Dickson Philip Neilsen John Carey Andrew Biggs Ken Fussell Jenny Fitzgerald
Plaiet is prin1ed by Urban Newspapers, enquiries: 2218105.
Dear Ed,
All c:omributions to Planet are wel- come, letters to 1he editor mu.t be signed and • brief• possitle. Planet pays for contributions of future stories, short
~ . reviews, pc,etry a'ld graphics.
Views expressed in sit,led contribut- ions . . not nec:esurily dime of the Plan- at staff or 1he student union.
The editor ~ 1he ritlht to make minor altarations or exclusions to contri- butors copy where
nemaary.
Al contributions lhould be typed, (or at . . . legibly writlln) aid acccmpalied
~ a COn1act number If possible.
jLETTERSj
Dear Edito;,
I need to advise your readers that the Chaplaincy Centre has been relocat- ed. The Chapel, Chaplain's Office and the Drop In Room are now in the lower level of V Block. Come in through the rear entrance at the Computer Centre; then enter Counsell- ing Services and you will find us down the corridor.
In second semester I will be there usually on Monday and Wednesday mornings and Thursday afternoon. The phone number rem- ains the same - 223 2700
So make an effort to find us in the QIT catacombs, and we'll be delighted to serve you tea or coffee at the end of the maze.
Yours sincerely, NOEL PRESTON Chaplain.
Recently I read an article in the PLANET that gave me great displeas- ure. The article indicated that cucumbers get all the fun. I feel that we. the banana population of OIT. have been usurped by this article from our traditional position.
We have worked hard to gain our place in society, and in this one article, years of effort and tradition have been dealt a savage blow. Some of my friends are of the opinion that somebody could have more fun with a bunch of bananas than with a whole fruitshop of cucumbers.
Furthermore, although bananas may not stay stiff for a week. at least we are appropriately shaped. Besides, bananas are more appealing than cucumbers.
Dear Planet people, bunch of squares.
I think youse are a
Yours in custard,
A DISGRUNTLED BANANA Yours sincerely,
N. Deplume.
IT AVEL
QIT TRAVEL IS ALIVE AND KICKING
Since our birth on 16 May, things have gone ahead in leaps and bounds~ thanks to the suppo'rt from students, staff, family and friends of the QIT.
QIT Travel was set up between the Students' Union and Wo~ld Travel ··
Headquarters to· provide a convenient and full travel agency service right here on campus.
You'll find QIT -Travel on the upper level of the Community Build- ing. It's open ftom 10.00am
to
6.00pm Monday to Friday.Juliann Whimp is there to help with any enquiries. Juliann has been in the travel industry for nearly 10 years and has travelled extehsively.
So go and see her. . . . . ···
Remember, it's here for: your·convenience - use it!
QIT Travel has big things planned for this year ...
LIKE: -
***
WHITSUNDAY VILLA.GE ·- $239 -go any time. Includes return transport, five nights accommodation, breakfasts and much more.*"**
SOUTH PACfflC CRUISE·- from $860 all inclusive- even return ·***
SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISE .:... from $860 all indusive- even return airfares to Sydney to pick up the 'Fairstar'. It's only for the 18 - 35's and it will be a. 13 night non-stop party! Departs 24 March '84***
LONDON/EUROPE - from $1490. Return air fare. Depart Nov/Jan/Feb. Return anytime.
***
USA --from $1459. Return airfare. Depart 1-15 Dec. Return Jan.Return low season $998.
***
NEW ZEALAND TOUR - from $880. Includes return airfares, 14 day Contiki Tour, all emals and much, much more.***
BALI - from $652. Includes return airfares ex Sydney, 12 nights accommodation in Losmen plus transfers.***
HUNTER VALLEY WINERY SAFARI ··· Motor cycle for entire stay. 8·nights/9 days. All inclusive! Tours.depart 17 September and 27 December 1983. (Hotel accommodated - $353)More destinations and more fares are available. Just see QIT Travel.
Apart from these great deals, general travel discounts will apply as -follows:··
*
50% discount on all interstate and intrastate rail fares*
25% discount on all full economy airfares within Australia (full-time students only) ..*
20% discount on any AV IS vehicle - (c;:ars, trucks 4 wheel drives etc)*
20% discount on most major express bus fares.Discounts will also be generally available on an"y tour, holiday or airfare booked through QIT Travel.
QIT Travel will also be having regular film nights featuring different destinations and holiday ideas. Everything from trekking the-Hima- layas to touring through Europe and everything in between. QIT. Travel will also endeavour to cater for special requests. Film_ sessions will either be lunchtime or evening. Weekend trips will also be organized.
SO RE.MEMBER! -- IF YOU ARE THINKING OF MOVING PAST YOUR FRONT DOOR - SEE QIT TRAVEL. .. THEY'RE HERE FOR YOUR CONVl;:NIENCE_AND SERVICE!
SPECIAL STUDENT DISCOUNT.HOLIDAY UNBEATABLE VALUE,-- GO ANY DAYl
6 days/5 nights holidaying in the heart of Airlie Beach on the Whitsun- day Coast - gateway to the Whitsunday Islands at the Whitsunday Vill- age Resort, where the fun never sets! $239 ex Brisbane. ·
Your share unit is situated in the Village's fun-filled Cc~staway Lodge.
Tropically designed, the units feature air-conditioning, carpets, colour television, digital clock radio and kitchenette. The Resort facilities are at your disposal - swimming pools, games room, restaurant, bar, day- time activities and night time entertainment. Your holiday price includes tropical breakfast each day (fruit juice, fresh fruit, tea or coffee and toast), plus return coach fare on Greyhound or Ansett Pioneer.
FREE IN YOUR HOLIDAY PRICE:
- Welcome cocktail party to meet fellow guests and new. friends.
- Hawaiian feast and South Pacific floor show OR a night in Europe
· spectacular.
- FuU day cruise to Daydream Island Resort ,through the Islands.
Lunch ,on Daydream. Return coach tour to beautiful Shute Harbour included OR sail the beautiful Whitsunday waters on a catamara~ - a·
cruise you will never forget.
- Tour and explore the tropical rainforest and Conway National Park ..
- Introductory snorkelling lessons.
- Beach party and BBQ - in the sun or maybe by moonlight.
- Introductory windsurfing lessons.
- Lookout Club feature, night at the luxurious Whitsunday Terraces Resort. Dance your heart out under the stars. A taste of the tropics- includes supper.
- Champagne Departure.
- Key Club money-saver membership.
P.S. If you wish.to stay any additional days.the cost is $22 per day. , ' ., . . . ', •,- •·_, . . ... . ,.·~.~
he destruction of Cloudland in the ea,·ly hours of Sunday, November 7th, 1982, highlighted once again that Brisb- ane is a city that seems to be rapidly
losing its areas of national heritage and importance. As with other buildings that have been demolished, while being listed as areas of the city's cultural heritage, Cloudland faced the same problem as had its predecessors. The argument was simple - Cloudland had become rundown andp~~cturally unsafe for all concerned;
bui\t!hfso formed an intricate part of Brisbane's history, and of the skyline itself.
As with the destruction of the Belle- vue Hotel in George St in 1979, Cloud- land was knocked down in the early hours of the morning in a similar fashion - understandably to avoid an encounter with probably thousands of .Cloudland 'supporters'. Whereas the Bellevue incident had streets choked with onlookers and protesters, the grand ball- room on the hill went down with barely a whimper. The operation had taken place under such a veil of secrecy that no one knew of the occurrence until opening the newspapers over breakfast!
In order to justify or condemn an oper- ation such as this, a great many factors need to be examined in a number of diff- erent directions. One cannot simply say
"Cloudland was a great place, it deserved to be saved"; or "Cloudland was falling apart, it should've been pulled down years ago". To justify either of these two comments, I feel there are four main aspects that need to be examined, and 'matched up' against each other in order to reach a definite conclusion. These four aspects are:
(i) the aesthetic value (ii) the social implications (iii) the economic importance (iv) the associated sentimentality.
Since its erection at the end of the 1930's, Cloudland had formed an integral part of the Brisbane skyline. It seems that people are rating the aesthetic importance of the ballroom with its unusual design very highly indeed. The building was typical of the various architectural stream-form styles of the thirties.
The high central archway, the fancy plastered columns, and an enormous light suspended above the ballroom - all this, and more, showed that it was a truly typical piece of l 930's architecture.
In fact, Cloudland's listing with the National Trust as a historically significant building resulted mainly from its aesthetic qualities. Its reasons for listing were its visual interest, landmark signifi- cance and social history.
Basically, there were no other build- ings quite like Cloudland in Brisbane.
The giant pink dome, that thousands of people from successive generations must have walked under, lit up the Brisbane skyline and provided a homing beacon for many a lost moto~ as well as
the signal that Brisbane's nightlife was alive and well. This wood-lined dome, supported by mock 'corinthian' plaster columns, that hung over a divided wooden staircase, was the most dominant feature of the whole construction. Another very individual feature of the place was the specially sprung dance floor said to be one of only a handful in the southern hemisphere, and, out of the handful, it was reputed to be the biggest.
By rough calculations, the dance floor measured 795 square metres.
Not only does the building itself create the validity for its listing by the National Trust as having 'landmark significance', but also the planting around Cloudland is important. Remnants of ordered plant- ing around the building of years gone by is evident today by the h,µge Fig trees and Jacarandas that have reached maturity and considerable value. These trees prov- ided a buffer zone between Cloudland and other buildings, and created pathways to the structure, and a prevail- ing sense of privacy from the rest of the residential area that surrounded it.
The problem of aesthetic appreciation for Cloudland, as for anything else, is not determined by actually liking or dis- liking the structure, but is determined over a period of time of productivity and progression of thoughts by every indivi- dual who makes a decision about his/her views on Cloudland. When somebody first sights the general characteristics of Cloudland from a distance, and sees the beautiful pink dome sitting up amongst a cluster of foliage on the top of a hill, they may think that the place is a virtual 'garden of Eden'. They may go on think- ing this for some time, and then finally decide to actually visit the area for closer examination. Upon closer examination, all the intuitive processes that have been formulating a picture from the initial characteristics could either be blown away or completely reinforced i.e. the picture of the building close up may be just as beautiful as had initially been thought, or the building may have shattered .all initial expectations with its close-up shabbiness and state of dis- repair. In Cloudland's case, it seems a large percentage of people, including the National Trust, have formulated an aesthetically pleasing character of Cloud- , land in their minds, and hence the listing
of the building under the aesthetically oriented headings of ''visual interest"
and "landmark significance".
Over the years, Cloudland had managed to adapt socially from one gen- eration to the next, whether as an enter- tainment venue for the young, a head- quarters for the American Army during World War II or a weekend 'Flea Market' where everyone came to buy and sell wares. Mr Bryce Mortlock in his paper
"The Shock of the Old" sums up the reasons for Cloudland's existence up until November 7th - " .. .it has succeeded
in remaining an integral part of the over- all pattern, it has shown itself capable of adapting again and again to the ever changing environment. It's there because it's good. Like an organic species, it's there because it has managed to stay alive." Mr Mortlock goes on to add that old buildings can be enhanced by their mature surroundings resulting from previous planting and landscaping, as is the case with the grand old Figs and Jac- arandas that surrounded Cloudland.
Cloudland has faced a number of social problems over the years, but it is in recent years that the most controversy has arisen. This was with the advent of rock music concerts being held at Cloud- land - the last major regular entertain- ment that existed for the building.
Growing unrest amongst the surrounding residents was emerging, as time after time noisy rock fans would spill onto the resi- dents' streets, often drunk, and hurling abuse. Residents' gardens were often left littered by empty bottles and cans, and sometimes even trampled. Their protests were taken up by the Queensland Trans- port Minister, Don Lane. Lane warned that Cloudland qould lose its licence that enabled it to hold big concerts. Mr Fuller, State Manager of the National Trust, replied that there was no reason why bands could not play there - after all, bands had been playing there for years.
He went on to say that any movts to close it down would evoke strong public sympathy.* (* Sydney Morning Herald, May 22, 1982)
Little did Fuller realize just how much public sympathy would be evoked in just less than six months time!
The manner in which Cloudland was pulled down showed exactly what the owner, Peter Kurts Pty Ltd thought of the economic value of the place. Nothing was removed or saved in any way - the whole bundle went under the bulldozer!
Prior to its destruction, Cloudland's economic viability had long since gone. It was no longer the centre of Brisbane's night life, and the last chance of profit- ability was lost when the Brisbane City Council closed down the Sunday flea mark- ets that were held there.
A report that Peter Kurts had compiled on the structural soundness of Cloudland by consulting engineer Bill Leighton and architect Ray Smith, showed the state of disrepair that Cloudland was in. It was shown that the specially sprung dance floor was sagging, totally unsafe and in danger of collapsing; the wooden steps were collapsing; the stucco over the timber had cracked and the wood was damaged by water. It was also found that highly flammable bitumenous felt on the roof was above the main fire escapes, and that the roof would have blown away had it been subjected to cyclonic winds. The total flimsiness of the building was shown up when the demolition team of the Deen brothers took only one and a half hours
to pull the complete building down - they expected to take all day. ··As one
df
thedemolition t<!am said, "If people could have seen the place as we did on Sunday morning, they would have been glad we knocked it down - the dome had been charred by fire, and when we pulled it down the whole lot just crumbled apart."
All of this seems to indicate that Cloud- land was, in fact, very ready to fall down, or at least undergo extensive and no doubt costly restoration. To restore or to rebuild Cloudland, according to Kurts' report, would have meant renewing the floor in concrete and renewing the walls in brick and concrete, just to comply with fire reg- ulations. All up, the report went on, Cloud- land would cost around fr e million dollars Lo restore or replace. Ve i few buildings could be worth this figu , or even half this figure, in sentiment and aesthetic terms. Cloudland had sin 1y come to the end of its life expectancy t was, after all, only a minimum cost tirn r and asbestos- cement sheeting structure.
It seems that Cloudla1 . after all, was not intended for 'perern
that Mortlock referred ,
"By trying to stop the by over-emphasis on arti and attempting to achie'.
ervation, it ensures that change will build up to in he continued "perennial only succeed with a fev.
parts of our environment.· Cloudland may have uneconomically feasible t
t1 preservation' in his •paper.
clock, th~t is, ial restonition, perennia}}pres-l
he press~re of
!erable. leYels;,, I
• ~ ' / - ' I
cservation· can , ighly selected
en completely retain, hut the memories of many occas ns will live on in the minds of young and id alike. A very large percentage of Bri~bane residents would have had some connection 'with Cloudland during its life, whether·
i (
wasdebutante balls, dinners, conventiori;! dis- plays, rock and roll concerts, flea markets, or simply_( or _perhaps not ,o simplY)tfinal
year exammatlons. :
r
Brian Tait, a professi, .al entert,illi!r from Brisbane who san at ClouAland many times, made this co1 :nent about Brisbane following Clour and's destruc- tion - "I feel as if I'm i; a strange city.
All the places I used to go c gone and I've even forgotten where the were!" Tait's yearnings for a city he on. •~ knew exemp- lifies the sentimentality that Brisbane people had for Cloudland an old, unsafe and rundown building. M, tlock sums up that sentimentality in "T: Shock of the Old" by saying; "The ch m of the old, one might say in summar) . is twofold. On the one hand it shows us how to do well the things on which we a: ,· engaged, how to make them survive anu remain useful and a source of delight for many genera- tions. On the other hand it can be a focus for our romantic learnings, our tendancy to yearn for a golden age remote from the here and now ... "
Cloudland had no solid, factual found- ations to stan~ on when it came to the , question of its demolition. It was a hazard and a danger to, anyone who used the place, and the cost of-repair far outweighed any advantages that would have arisen had it been repaired. The site is far too valuable to be left dormant, however, due to its location and surrounds. Development should be of a low key naw ,e that comple- ments the important and aluable vegeta- tion that surrounds the site:
Cloudland should have l 'n demolished;
but keepsakes and souve, plaster woman that ado1 columns, should have be,.
reminder that Brisbane , unique ballroom that sat o
, . such as the .l one of the retained as a ' ha<l a very , skyline.
Joh, ,iorwood
Cloudland illustration coun,•,.y of the Nat- ional Trust.
LOBAL BUSINES
Transnational Corporations Part 1
The transnational corporation (tnc) has no politics. It operates on the pure rule of profit. It has left the nation state far behind. It has gone beyond the market economy and national boundaries to create a post market global system. This internationalization of capital has altered the very structures of our existence over the last thirty years. Its effects are no less important than those of the industrial revolution, altering the very fabric of our politics and lifestyle. Every political question of today from Latin America, the nuclear stockpiling, and conservation, to the international money crisis, media control and inflation, must take into account the effects of tncs. The corpora- tion does not have a life of its own. It is a structure used by a number of powerful men, it has a history and it has been beaten.
Firstly there was the factory, which grew into the national corporation and then into the multidivisional corporation: It became the transnational corporation an entity entirely different to its predec essors. For the first time capital moved beyond state boundaries. It was no more an institution governed by the laws of the nation state. Even Keynes states
"But let all goods be home spun wherever it is possible, and above all, let finance be primarily national." What makes the tncs such a force today?
The tnc is centrally controlled with all corporate planning done from the one centre. It can globally plan and coordin- ate a vast network of activities on a world-wide market place. In very simple terms, it allows the labour intensive work to be carried out in cheap labour areas such as Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia. The capital intensive and highly intensive work is done in the industrial countries.
The final product is marketed world
wide. In the last twenty years the technology of production has improved to the stage in which highly complex tasks are turned into simple units of work able to be carried out by young, unskilled labour. As tncs operate on the rule of lowest unit cost, exploitation is a natural result of minimalizing unit cost. The usual market situation of supplier to the industry does not apply as tncs often own a product from raw material to market- ing.
This elite of corporate planners work toward integration and concentration. There are four ways in which profit- ability can be achieved: lower wages, longer working day, increased product- ivity and reducing overheads through expansion. Integration and concentration can achieve this goal. Through exploit- ing third world countries, lower wages and longer working days can be negotiat- ed, through mechanization one can achieve increased productivity and by working a global market overheads can be reduced. Almost 65% of all investment is used for research and development. The two purposes of this investment is to dev- elop technological innovation for labour displacement and to develop new product lines. A large amount of this financing is through military contracts. The nuclear stockpile and continued build-up is not the result of senile political decisions, it is big business. New electronic and chemical devices not only assist the warfare technology but also have peace- time applications. From research and development come the manufacturing of a product, which is the least problem for tncs. Marketing is the next important step, with the need to produce a market- ing strategy which can mass produce for a mass market. Advertising is the process of creating wants. To make the useless
product necessary! It can make the cos- metic change appear as a new and improved product. From Australia to Chile, the aim is to make accumulation the ultimate state of existence.
The strength of the tnc is its flexibility.
It is able to transfer its funds from country to country in ways which avoid taxation and alter the very fabric of pol- itical and economic climates. It can cross- subsidize by using profits to subsidize losses in other parts of the operation, and consequently increase market share by crippling competitors. It can asset strip by buying an ailing company and selling the firm the moment the price skyrockets because of the corporation's name. It· uses business reciprocity in which it sells to and puchases from the same clients and avoids actual sales. It can internalize a whole market and in doing so avoid tax and eliminate opposition. As Wheelwright states: "increasingly trade is between COT·
porations not nations." Technological innovation has played a large role in the tncs rise to fame. There is a great deal of debate on the role of machines in taking over the boring and repetitive tasks of production. And yet the corporations do not support the social welfare system into which the expendable beings are forced.
It fails to support the system directly or indirectly through taxes, as capital flows directly to tax havens.
More importantly the new technology is owned. Knowledge has become another part of the production process. Through licencing and patenting the tnc effectively binds up its new discoveries. These licenses etc. have become an important part of the internal trade of the tnc. It allows profits to move back to the parent company without actual sales by charging enormous fees for the new technology needed by the subsidiary. It is detriment-
al to developing countries by not allowing the country to freely decide the technol- ogy it really wants. Countries with little indigenous research and development become technologically independent.
There are even more serious implica- tions in the role of the corporations in smaller countries. Wheelwright points out . that technology is on a large scale and cannot be adapted down for the smaller companies to service smaller markets. It leads to waste and to ensuring the large companies stay in control. The environ- ment may be very different in each country and yet the product is not altered. This can have disastrous effects on the ecology, especially in the fields of pesticides and tools of farming. Most importantly, as knowledge is owned it is impossible for the host country to ob- tain control of the tncs. The greater imp- lications of this is that funding of research at universities and research in the corporations becomes more specific.
Governments find it hard to plan ahead if the tncs will not release the latest knowledge and how the corporations will use it. Our choices are being more and more controlled. The food we eat, the health services we choose, the environ- ment, our lifestyle and what we know is becoming increasingly related to how much can be earned from it.
The tnc has devestating effects of the economy. Its vast movements in capital, its avoidance of taxation, its internal business practises and its price fixing pol- icies determine the state of the economy.
It produces spiralling inflation and of course, growing unemployment. The value of currency is set through tnc spec- ulation and by forcing the expansion of the monetary supply through accumul- ation and reinvestment of capital at ever- increasing rates. To talk of market forces is a blatant lie of governments. Monetar- ism is the simplistic tool used to deal with a complicated mechanism. It is used because it appears politically neutral, but the hidden costs are enormous.
Yet the tnc is also facing problems.
It is hampered by the nation state, and more and more calls are for a universal government and a global organization of the economy. There is an inherent problem in capital accumulation which does not take into account the consump- tion which gives it meaning. The third world and advertising become the last reaches of the tncs. The third world is the only growing market onto which can be foisted consumer items now obsolete in first world countries. Products banned in America find their way into the third world countries. Advertising is necessary to create wants which take no account of our needs. Third world countries are fighting back, and winning occasionally.
Papua New Guinea's contracts with Kenn- ecot Copper are a milestone in such contracts. Consumer groups are now growing stronger.
The transnational enterprise is not free enterprise. The myths are falling away very quickly. The third world's interact- ion with the tncs has much to teach Australia and the world. This will be explored further in the next issue.
(c) 1983 mark creyton.
·"
LOOKING IN A NE
' DIRECTION
At the next state elections in Novemb- behind closed doors with foreign govern-
er the people of Queensland can choose ments and companies of dubious credent-
Su'< Qv~~~Lf\NO lltAPE: . . . .
between the present inept, corrupt and · ials.
blatently hypocritical Government of the If things are better in Queensland, why
1o,
National and liberal parties, or vote for a• do we need to be told all the time with change, a new direction, with the Labor glossy advertising campaigns? Surely
Party. everyone knows that the government is
This new direction will mean such responsible for the weather. I suppose it things as more open government, more does keep up work for the advertising ,. concern for civil liberties, more coherent companies, but it wouldn't be too bad if
· government planning, a fairer deal for low the State Government itself followed its income earners/unemployed and for abor- own 'buy Queensland made' campaign . . iginals. The Labor Party will bring in elec- One only has to mention the famous toral reform based on the principle of one Korean Dam Gates ( a result of some vote one value and thereby ending the secret deal in South Korea by the blatent gerrymander of the present Premier) for the Wivenhoe Dam.
government. Every month it is approximated by
We hear much about development in the Bureau of Statistics that 1000 people Queensland. But it has consisted of lett- from other parts of Australia would be ing every Tom, Dick and Harry who runs, wanting to enter the Queensland work-
a' mining company; (especially a foreign' force. One must remember this movem-
one) come in and dig big holes. In setting is not all one way as many peple are up their towns they trampled all over leaving Queensland as well. To blame local councils (which the Sate Govern- these people coming to Queensland for ment allows) and we, as the people of the,highest unemployment on the main- Queensland who officially own these land is hopefully not fooling anybody minerals, get a 'royalty' of quite meagre who knows the real story about the
proportions. Queensland economy.
~ \'LL u~T ~~s 10 SIT ON c.'~ !
However, the state Government put its The real story about the brand of eggs all in the one basket and now the financial management espoused by whole bottom has fallen out of the mark- State Treasurer, Dr Edwards, is that et and we have the highest unemploy- Queensland has the highest debit per ment rate in mainland Australia. capita of any state in Australia. When We only have to look at Surfers Para- questioned on this it always seems to be ' idise to see what senseless development is. · · : the Federal Government's fault. At least
1The future·Queerisland Government will Dr Osken/Oka/O'Neill doesn't believe the always have to be forking out money to story about prudent financial manage- protect the towers of developers. I am ment. Or for that matter, Mr Iwasaki, the not arguing against development, but man who is building the phantom tourist advocating more thought and concern for complex north ofYeppoon.
the future. And in the midst of all this we now
Free enterprise is a word bandied have to put up with Queensland Day around much by our present state which has only appeared out of nowhere government. But what does it mean? It for State Government propaganda purpo- was something that existed last century ses. We are all, after all, Australians and and exists nowehere in the world today this sort of celebration is only a waste of as people everywhere ( even in Queens- time and money.
land) ask their governments to protect One of the fundamentals of democracy them from the excesses of the capitalist is that no matter who you are you can system. In a true 'free enterprise' system question the government. Concerned we wouldn't have government ministers people who do in Queensland are branded
is just hogwash. I am sure all QIT stud- The present government has exercised ents, being well educated, would see this. no control whatsoever over its semi- Special Branch, as well as other 'secret' governmental authorities. Rather, it has organisations are . very dangerous as they let them go about their messy way of file away information about people - spending Queenslander's money . One Big Brother is watching you. only has to look at the Peanut Marketing Another important part of a dem9cr- Board, and Milk Board to see the sorry acy is the institution of parliament. Extre state of affairs.
mist governments hate parliament as then Electricity consumers have been in the public bills can be questioned. The dark so to speak with the charges there.
present Queensland government prefers We have been subsidising foreign cotnpan- to operate on top of the Executive Build- ies to produce alumni without choice.
ing . Cabinet meetings are behind closed The state government took over the city doors. Do we have a parliament when it council's electricity department with no meets for only ten davs in a month? compensation and has since proceeded to We have in Queensland a police force hike prices up to make them the same as that according to the Premier, but not Lomgreach eventually. When the city according to the present police minister, electric was taken over, they promised can do no wrong. Every police force prices would not rise to parity with has corruption - it only varies in degree- country areas. The national Party has no so to say there is none, one is only lying. seats in Brisbane, and power stations Th_e illegal casinos run by organised crime seem to end up in the Premier's electorate that exist ( sort of) according to the but of course we are led to believe that flying overseas doing sweetheart deals by the government as communists which police, prostitution and drugs will always there was no intervention by the Premier.
~~~ AT \J1,r_..,.., T0?~- a~ .
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exist and outlawing them won't make We hear much about centralisation by them disappear. But while they are illegai ihe Fede~~! s~~~11ieiit -from the State some.-police
of ~e..rnarJ~
ll:!et uur ·
·----covemment, but the local government~ want it changed. legislation has given Minister Russ Hinze The irony of this situation is that the final say over everything any local author- government portrays itself as a 'tough ity does. His threatened sackings of the law and order' government, by banning Maroochy and Logan City Councils· and
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street marches and swamping the city his sacking of the Gold Coast Council with. police. This could only be called gives an indication of the power that has civil disobedience, hardly a major crime! been centralised in him.
Also we supposedly have a government Yes people, the present Queensland which gets tough with strikers with its Government needs. to be thrown
mit
and essential services legislation - yet to be replaced by a Labor Government.{}
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used. The ALP has to convince many sheep
The Queensland Government especially and cattle in Western Queensland to vote likes to make _political footballs out of labor but they too may even want a dem- welfar~. Aborigines are yet !o be given ocratic government rather than a corrupt
1 _ _
land nghts and to have theu trachoma archaic regime.
teams allowed to treat and test their eyes. Your first move to get rid of the _ ..
Women's refuges have to beg for money present state government co11l.J -• · --
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as we as unction. come along to _ti-~ · ~ ,
However' if you want to rip off Queen- m,. .. ~:- . . - ~•c \)IT Labor Club s sland, one only has to donate mon"~ . -- ..• vung ~t 5.30pm, Thursd~y, July 28th,
•L- ~· •• _ . - - F~·-- . -· · - _ •• vy to m the Kim Beazley Room m the Comm- u~e 6J~lke:Pete_rson_ . vuna.ation and your unity Building.
wish is granted. K:,;ith Williams (Sea
Wor1d) functioi:;~ for the foundation cert- ' GREG RAESIDE ainly hel~d him get. the job as head of Secretary
ih~v~old Coast Wat~l)".ay_s
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AN INTERVIEW WITH QJT'S RESIDENT
PC)SSUM . • .
I
It was late or, a Friday night and the
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second time I'( seen her, scampering· about the Garde, between O Block and
the Library, ge; ing about her nightly possum business. rimidly she crossed the cement pavemem to disappear into the concrete lined, manicured wilderness on the other side.
I followed gingerly, peering into the gloomy shadows cast by branches against outdoor, high density lighting , and spied her crouching behind a palm tree looking quite scared. I called her quietly by name, hoping to befriend and coax her despite
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0Hv overwhelmed her - . ·- .. ---r •• r --and
me came ou i into the light, prnppcd herself up again<;: a rubbish tin between us and twitche, her whiskers at me.(Smelling me ou' . I heard her tiny voice eek out in bar, audible tones as she gazed up with :- ck beady eyes at me. I squatted down ' 11ear what she had to say.
I returned ti given me from nose with a sm,.
some things I possum. I wa, never having , pefor~, I starb'
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sorts of QIT qu.:~.· . "Are you full
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part lu •• _,._ Answer:
"Oh
w •iendly twitch she had black tipped pointed md began to think up uld talk about to a little lost for words, Jken with a possum
.. y asking her the usual
·ons:
me here at QIT or just
;· - ., full time possum.
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There"s no sue, thing as a · -par t lu .. ~-- ._
poaum. I'm one Ca long line of possums that has manage1.i ~o survive here at QIT."
Q: "You've beer cere all your life?"
A: "Yes, six suni.. ,ers."
Q: "You must have seen a lot of changes in that time?"
A: "Yes, this is something I would really like to talk about. You people are all the time building your stone monstrosities.
You push us furry creatures out. This here used to be a haven for possums and all other sorts of animals alongside the river. Now you people have pushed in, knocked down the trees and put up brick trees in their places. We don't deny that humans have a place in this world, but you are such domineering, destructive creatures.
I_ see you've decided to leave some trees around this area and landscape it. It i; · better · than n o f u ~ even this token was only conceived as natural· decor, to offset the uninhabitable concrete mushroom over there where you keep all your printed, packaged slaughtered trees; I believe you call them books.
What's more alarming is that this is the place where they train the architects , engineers, technicians and managers that plan and organise these buildings. Why do you keep doing this? You've got a lot of clever people here. Why can't you learn to build without destroying?"
It was a difficult question to answer. I had my whole species to defend. I didn't have an answer. I felt ashamed. My furry friend sensed my embarrassment and continued:
"Thank goodness you left that big tree -...__. __ · -.-.,,-,n~,.-"'l-. .. ritP..rl . ..that from though. My-flln1.u- ~:~·~--- · · - -·-- my grandaddy.
w:
~o wouici--~ve ha4 . to move house if you·1j chopped tha down."Q: "Where do possums go when they move house?"
A: "We get pushed into smaller and smaller areas, much like what you have done with your Australian Aboriginal.
Many of us lose the will to live. The Botanic Gardens is now an overcrowded slum where most of the clans that used to live in the city now live. The poverty of the place is depossurnizing, but unlike you humans we are social animals and have learned to live and suffer together.
Your roads are worst though, they are dangerous to cross and we shy away from them. They keep us apart. We are much more inhibited about trying to organise clan meets because of it."
{} ";f~Jnany clans are there?"
A: "Well, you know; iheyfs Albert Park clan, a few West End clans that ha11~t in the fig trees by the river. There's us, then there's a whole group of clans thrown together in the Gardens, plus a smattering of others in the suburbs. We hardly get to see each other and there's no hope of ever seeing the country rellies."
Q: "Have you come to hate us?"
A: "We animals don't know what it is to hate. We are saddened by our losses, but glad that hate is a passion of ;human peculiarity. Our philosophers aml ~roph- ets have concluded that humans are either more primitive than the rest of us mammals, particularly the marsupials, or that humans are sinful creatures lacking a conscience, depending on which theory
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you d.)<,u~- - . ••
Q: "Which theory do yu~ ~cribe to"!'' A: "l am a creationist, a theist. Once
ihe
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great god, creator of all furry creatures, sent his son incarnate to die for us and show us how to live. An apostle of his named Paw ( a good possum name) wrote in a book to the Roman · possums, chapter two, that there is a natural law of conscience that makes a possum furry as we say."
My impulsive possum friend suddenly caught sight of something interesting and bounced off, her black tail poised cheek- ily in the air, contrasted against her warm furry body and golden brown underside.
She was browsing about in the shrubbery, sniffing tree trunks and those usual possum type things. I guess she felt she'd said what she wanted to say then trundel- ed along. That's the way with possums, you know. If you see her near O Block entrance late at night, stop and have a chat·
~! _
remember - possums are very shy. Approach iii;~ slowly and let them know you're a friend:·-fleani~-~ lot in the brief time I paused with this an~--;i-:----BRAD COOPER
BOMBED !Bil RILTOIT
Why are three innocent men still in jail?
Five years have now passed since Tim Anderson, Ross Dunn and Paul Alister were imprisoned for alleged conspiracy to murder the leader of the National Front. The 16 year sentence imposed on them still has 11 years to run.
In those five years, public support for the three men has grown enormous- ly. Politicians and other public figures such as Senator Gareth Evans, Joan Coxsedge (Vic. MLC) and George Pet- ersen (N.S.W. MLA) have expressed their doubt, in the strongest terms, about the evidence on which they were convicted.
Thousands of people have signed petit- ions and written to the N.S.W. Attorney- General demanding their immediate re- lease. Members of the jury have spoken of the injustice of the case. Thousands of words have been written and spoken in the media on their case and a film, highlighting the inconsistencies in the evidence is currently being distributed Australia-wide. And still they wait.. ..
In what has become one of the greatest security cover-ups in Australia's history, these three men wait in Parrammatta Jail. They wait for the High Court to release its decision on an appeal which was based on several grounds, including the failure to present subpoenaed ASIO documents during their second trial (the first resulted in a hung jury). The appeal was heard in April, but the High / - Court h1s reserved its decision, possibly ( i for as Jong as one year. They wait for the ' N .S.W. Attorney-General, Paul Landa, to decide whether he will act on the recommendation of the Coroner in the Hilton Inquest to commit them to trial for the bombing of the Hilton.
They wait for Paul Landa to exercise the power he possesses to accede to the public's demand for their immediate release on licence.
The real winners in this five year episode have been ASIO. By using the three Ananda Marga members as scapegoats for the Hilton incident, ASIO has managed to side-step the blame for the bombing and has been able to secure enormous powers for itself through the ASIO Act enacted by the Fraser Government in response to the Hilton bombing.
And despite the election of a Federal Labor Government and its apparent attempts to check the activities of ASIO (largely through the ASIO Royal Comm- ission), ASIO still wields enormous power. Just when the Government appeared ready to crack down on
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ASIO, ASIO with its strong instinct for self-preservation rallied to its own defence with the Ivanov affair and its creation of division within the ALP by engineering the demise of David Coombe.
ASIO's interest in the continued imprisonment of Anderson, Dunn and Alister is tying the hands of the Federal Labor Government in this matter. Gareth Evans, as Shadow Attorney-General, protested that the three men had been framed and promised action when the ALP came to Government. Now that it is in Government, Senator Evans says he can do nothing until the High Court reaches a decision.
In other developments in the case, Tim Anderson, one of the three in jail, charged Roger Court, Q.C. (counsel assisting the Coroner in the Hilton Inquest) of nine charges of profess- ional misconduct. The offences against the Rules of the NSW Bar Association occurred during the Inquest held in October last year, 4½ years · after the bombing. Tim received a single sentence reply from the Bar Association to his 13 pages of documented offences, stating only that his complaints had been dis- missed.
Another of the three prisoners, Ross Dunn, agreed to take a polygraph (lie detector) test conducted by an indep- endent organization, Security Intelligence Services. Five separate questions conclus- ively proved Ross' innocence. In a letter to the NSW Commissioner for Police.
Poss asks that Richard Seary (the Special Branch informant on whose evidence their conviction was largely based) be subjected to the same test.
That was several months ago, and still there is no reply.
Despite the groundswell of public and legal support for their release and recognition of the injustice of the case, the three are still in jail five· years on.
Add your voice in support of Aust- ralia's political prisoners - write to or telegram Senator Gareth Evans, Federal Attorney-General, Parliament House, Canberra, and Paul Landa, NSW Attorney-General, Parliament House, Sydney.
If you wish to know more about the Campaign for the Acquittal of Anclerson, Dunn and Alister (CAADA), write to 34 Wellington Street, Petrie Terrace, or telephone 369-8343.
Jenny Fitzgerald
1 ~
"'
The Le · gend and the Reality
GANDHI
Untouchability is the worst exp~ion of the Hindu caste system. Untouchables are not the lowest class - rather they are outside the caste system and beneath even the lowest caste. They are excomm- unicated - the outcasts. Nevertheless, untouchablility is a creation of the caste system from which it cannot be separat- ed, therefore it is interesting to examine Gandhi's opinions on the caste system.
In 1921, Gandhi wrote at length on caste for a journal , Nava-Jivan. A few sentences quoted here are sufficient to in-
dicate Gandhi's attitudes. "I believe that if Hindu society has been able to' stand it is because it is founded on the caste syst- em" .... "To destroy the caste sytem and adopt a Western European social system means that Hindus must give up the prin- ciple of hereditary occupation that is the soul of the caste system. Hereditary prin- ciple is an eternal principal. To change it is to create disorder. These being my veiws I am opposed to all those who are out to destroy the caste system."
In 1925 however, Gandhi softened his views somewhat but his basic principles of caste were still intact. Recognising that
"at present caste does not mean restraint.
it means limitations," Gandhi suggested
"there should be four such big castes so that we may reproduce the old system of
the four varnas." Varna literally means
"colour" but can be translated here as
"class''.· Nevertheless, Gandhi's system was still to be based on the hereditary principle. He said in 1925:
"Varna means the determination of a man's occupation before he is born."
could become integrated into hindu society. "What is there in Gandhism which is not to be found in orthodox Hin duism?" asks Dr B.R. Ambedkar, himself and educated Harijan. "By calling the untouchables Harijans, Mr G:mdhi has killed two birds with one stone. He has shown that assimilation of the untoucha- bles by the caste system is not possible.
" In Gandhi's mind, the Untouchables
were outside the protection and comfort that the caste system was supposed to offer.''
"In the varna system no man has any liberty to choose his o·ccupation. His occ- upation is determined for him by hered-
ity." .
"The object of the vama system is to prevent competition and class struggle and class war. I believe in the varna syst- em because it fixes the duties and occup- ations of persons."
Now the interesting point to note about Gandhi's modified caste system is that the Untouchables are nowhere· mentioned. In Gandhi's mind, the Untouchables were still outside the protection, the comfort that the caste system was supposed to offer. True, Gandhi deplored the non-status that Hinduism had forced on the untouchabl- es. True he renamed them the Harijans (the children of god); true he declared himself a Harijan;true he insisted-the Hari jans should be educated and true he _enga- ged in scavenging as a symbolic means of giving the Harijans status. But still he ,. insisted on the virtues of caste imposed occupation and no intermarriage between castes. A person in one caste may aquire the virtues and skills of any other caste said Gandhi, but never must they earn their living outside their inherited caste.
These strange contradictions gave the Harijan status on one hand, but prevent-
ed them expressing it on the other. There was no practical step whereby ·ffarijans
He :has also by his new name counteract- ed assimilation and made it impossible."
In addition, Gandhi's insistence on the 'spinning wheel economy' did not help the Harijans since it prevented any chance of them improving their position econom- ically. The two key points of Gandhi's economics were an oppostion to machinery and an opposition to econom- ic or industrial conflict. Machines he said, put people out of work and industrial conflict disturbed the caste system. The basis for justice and peace in Gandhian economics is the principle of Trusteeship; that is that rich people and industrial bosses have an obligation to feed and protect the poor.
Observes Ambedkar, "The Untouch- able will therefore continue to suffer the worst fate as he does now namely, in prosperity he will. be the last to be emp- loyed and in depression the first to be fired. This is the technique of Gandhism, to make wrongs done appear to the very victim as though they were his privile- ges." Similarly, Dr 'f. Unnithan of the University of Rajasthan writes; "In our opinion Untouchability cannot easily be eradicated from India by palliative meas- ures undertaken from time to time. For the permanent removal of this age old evil its root, namely the caste system, has first to be broken. Gandlµ's ,contribution would have been far greater had he direc-
ted his opposition simultaneously against the caste system which has given sanction to untouchability than to the latter alone."
Prior to the British, the Indian sub-con- tinent enjoyed a reasonable degree of reli- gious tolerance especially when compar- ed with European Christianity. However, the British deliberately exploited religi- ou~ differences in order to strengthen their position . During the Gandhi period the problem of Hindu Muslim unity was primarily a political problem, - how, could the Muslims maintain some sense of cohesion and identity within a majority Hindu independent India. At first Musl- ims and Hindus worked together in Congress and finally the partition of . India. In each case Gandhi must accept some responsibility.
The first factor was the Hindu caste system and Gandhi's support of a modif- ied form of it. Not only did the Muslims not have caste but ,its existence prevented Muslims and Hindus from close co-oper- ation. Pakistani historian K. Sarwar Hasan writes, "Gandhi did not attack or ask for the liquidation of the Hindu system of caste, as the supreme barrier between Hindus and MusUms .. .lt is strange that Gandhi did not realise that it.was this institutional exclusiveness that militated against the Hindus as a whole having fellow feeling for the Muslims or the Untouchables, whose cause he publicly espoused."
English language contributed to Indian unity by providing a 'neutral' meduim of communication. By contrast, Hindi
· although the largest language, is still only spoken by about a third of the people as their native ~<:mgue. Furthermore, Hindi as a language· is ·considered by many linguists . not .. t,o be as rich or subtle a language as otliers, for instance, Bengali.
Gandhi's attempt to make Hindi the national language was understandably threatening to the Muslims many of whom spoke other languages in particul- ar Urdu and Bengali.
It might be thought that it was not unreasonable of Gandhi in pursuing independence from Britian to want to be rid of their language. But Gandhi never held any personal hatred for the British and indeed on many occassions express- ed great admiration for them. It would not have been unusual for India to have maintained English as their common language. By contrast, the adoption of Hindi was deeply divisive and certainly contributed to disillusionment.
The third factor and probably the most important was the refusal of Cong- ress to work in political coalition with the Muslim League. Muslims could only work through Congress, in effect they had to choose between political power or their Muslim identity and either way they i'ost.
Congress offered no practical way for Muslims to participate politically in an independent India. Partition was the result. Gandhi declared that partition would happen over his dead body but events moved faster. Once again we observe the familiar pattern in Gandhi's politics, the adoption of an idealist pos- ition but a paucity of practicality.
NON VIOLENCE
A simple definition of non violence is the avoidance of those thoughts, words and actions which result in physical injury or pain. This is a fairly narrow definition in that it excludes psychic and spiritual injury 'but it is a good starting point.
We may distinguish at least three types of pressure that an oppressed people can employ to help themselves. 1. Non-co- operation and civil disobedience, 2. Econ- omic pressure, and 3. Armed pressure. Given that oppressed people are seldom armed or economically organised, it is not surprising that non-violent civil disobed- ience is the first resort:
The essence of non~violent protest is the conversion of the oppressor by self- suffering. It is designed to play on the 'better nature' oir · conscience of ·the' oppressor or ·to create guilt and fap th~il
make Hindi the understandably
"Gandhi's attempt to natural language was
threatening to the Muslims, whom spoke other languages."
many of
The second factor was the adoption by Gandhi and Congress of Hindi as the national language of India. India is a land of many languages and cultures like Europe, but unlike Europe had managed to preserve some degree of political unity. Surprising though it may seem, the
self confidence. The protestors willingly accept humiliation, imprisonment and even death for their cause. A notable feature of Gandhi's campaigns and also those of Martin Luther King was , th.e, remarkable degree of violence they prov- oked in the oppressors. The· authorities
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