Press Release
UCSA President
Student-soldiers are men and women for war but not for student allowances
University of Canterbury Students’ Association President, Darel Hall, will make the following comment in Canta magazine
this week. Darel Hall was a territorial soldier for five years, and has led the UCSA in laying wreaths at Anzac day for
the last two years.
“At least one Canterbury student is off to East Timor. Many more will follow as the army is required to use territorial
force soldiers in future personnel rotations. These are part-time soldiers and, when I was in the territorials, usually
full-time students. There are large numbers of student-soldiers. Most of them are under 25.
Politicians from all political hues are scrambling to support the East Timorese by sending in soldiers, and inevitably,
student-soldiers. These men and women will be emerged in an adult conflict with adult bullets and adult bodybags. I
wonder how many of these men and women will be able to rely on parental support in a war zone because they are under-25?
It is convenient for politicians to consider under-25s men and women for war, but dependent children for student
allowances. Is it any wonder that cynicism prevails with such blatant hypocrisy on show?
Kia kaha to the men and women that go. I hope that everyone here supports you in any way they can. I know the university
will bend its rules to the max to support you.”
ENDS