STUDENT HUMOUR

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 134, 8 June 1934, Page 4

STUDENT HUMOUR

JOKES IN BAD TASTB. PROGRAMME WITHDRAWN. [ Per Press Association. ] AUCKLAND, June 4. On the ground that its humour is ia had taste, the souvenir programme for the Auckland University students’ annual extravaganza “Dudless Debit’’ was withdrawn from sale at the opening performance to-night after about 10U copies had been distributed. This action was taken essentially by the Students’ Association, according to a statement by the secretary, Mr. R. S. Stacey. The publication, which comprises 32 pages, including various examples of humour and cartoons, was edited by Mac Reyburn, the drawings being done by Harry Ah Kew. It was first on sale at Auckland University College at about 2 o’clock this afternoon, bub after a few copies had been disposed of they were withdrawn. At about 4 o’clock, however, owing to a misunderstanding, they were placed on sale again at the Town Hall Concert Chamber. About half an hour before the performance began an instruction that they should be withdrawn was countermanded, but finally at about 8.30 they wore no longer available. Of 1000 copies printed, about 100 were sold. Mimeographed copies of th© cast of characters, which had been run off hurriedly a short time before, wore then distributed free among the audience. “Many of the jokes contained ia the souvenir programme arc in very bad taste,’’ said Mr. Stacey. He added that as soon ns the offensive humour was pointed out it was decided unanimously to withhold the - publication from sale. “My chief concern when the withdrawal of the programme was suggested was the loss that would result,’’ said Mr. A. P. Postlewaite, business manager of the play. Printing had cost £4O, and although about £3O had been received for advertisements it would bo too much to expect the firms to pay for advertisements which were not circulated. Although some of the humour is certainly questionable, it is not sufficiently indecent to warrant withdrawing the publication,” added Mr. Postlewaite. The opinion that some latitude w'as expected in a publication of the nature of the souvenir programme was expressed by tho editor, Mr. Reyburn, and the cartoonist, Mr. Ah Kew. “Compared with the efforts of other New Zealand University Colleges, the Auckland publication is a mild one,” they said. No decision has yet been made whether or not the souvenir programme will bo issued in an abridged form, but it is considered that such a c°urso would not be very practicable.