Too Little, Too Late

Organization: UCSA

"Far too little, far too late", was the reaction from University of Canterbury Students' Association President Darel Hall to the Student Loan changes announced by Nick Smith and Max Bradford today.

"Canterbury students have heard both these men argue that current interest rates on loans is fair. It appears that what is fair depends on how close an election is. It now appears fair that course costs be $1000 rather than the $500 they argued was fair not 11 months ago. We were told last year that IRD could not possibly alter the Loan Scheme before 2001 due to other more pressing alterations to tax policy. It now appears fair that IRD can find time to make this a higher priority.

While some of the changes are good, as were some of the 1998 changes, most students are far too cynical to see this other than a last ditch attempt to gain student votes."

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