The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1921

Debating Society

Debating Society

Urquent Rustice Sane

The two final debates of last session were rather lacking in enthusiasm owing to the small attendances, caused probably by the near approach of the examinations.

On August 14th a motion "That the present tendency in England towards relaxing the divorce laws is to be condemned" was moved by Messrs. F. Haigh and H. McCormick. and opposed by Messrs. A. B. Croker and S. A. Wiren. The motion was declared lost by a majority of one. The judge. Mr. P.J. O'Regan. LL.B., placing the best five speakers in the following order: Mr. S. A. Wiren. Mr. Haigh, Mr. McCormick, Mr. Croker and Mr. Sheat (equal), and Miss Norman.

The next debate, on the 18th September, centred round the motion. That it is in best interests of the British Empire that a substantial measure of self-government be granted to India, this to lead eventually to fullest autonomy within the Empire." The movers were Messrs. I. L. G. Sutherland and W. A. Sheat, and the opposers Miss Norman and Mr. P. Martin-Smith. After the motion had been declared carried by 14 votes to 7. the Judge, Mr. V. B. Willis. LL.B.. placed the speakers in the following order: Miss Norman. Mr. Martin-Smith, Mr. S. A. Wiren, Mr. Davidson, Mr. Sutherland.

Towards the end of the third term the Society devoted an evening to a series of Impromptu Speeches. Members of the audience were allotted subjects on which they were expected to speak for a space of five minutes. This produced several interesting discussions on subjects ranging from the ethics of love to the theory of Bolshevism.

The first debate of the 1921 season was held on April 16th. The subject for discussion was That this House has no confidence in the ability of the professors to examine their own students." Messrs. A. B. Croker and H. E. Moore supported, and Messrs. R. A. Tonkin and P. Martin-Smith opposed the motion. Mr. Croker maintained that the examinations at present were conducted by eminent men in touch with the latest developments of thought, and that New Zealand professors could not compete with these men academically. Moreover the system of home examiners did away with any possibility of bias.. In replying, Mr. Tonkin stated that the ability of the New Zealand professors, who were mostly graduates of English Universities, could be gauged by the calibre of the men they turned out. Also they were much more conversant with the mental outlook of the New Zealander than were men living at the other side of the world. After a spirited discussion the motion was put to the meeting and defeated by a substantial majority.

Mr. D. S. Smith, LL.M. acted as Judge and placed the best five speakers in the following order: Messrs. Tonkin, D. R. Wood, Haigh, Sheat, and Martin-Smith.

At the second debate, held on May 7th, a motion That the modern Press in sacrificing facts to propaganda fails to perform the true function of journalism "was moved by Mr. I. L. G. Sutherland seconded by Mr. W. A. Sheat, and opposed by Mr. C. Q. Pope seconded by Mr. P. Martin-Smith. Mr. Sutherland was of opinion that the function of newspaper journalism was to give to the world true daily accounts of happenings all over the world. Truth was all-important. Instead of giving a true record of events, the Press gave an account that pleased its owners and advertisers. Mr. Pope outlined the history of journalism, and stated that modern newspapers had to eater for every side. Its business was to present news in a readable form. A newspaper lived by its circulation and it had, in expressing its opinion to take one side only. After a number of other speakers had expressed their views on the subject, the meeting decided to carry the motion.

The Judge, Professor B. E. Murphy. M.A., LL.B., B. Com., placed the best speakers as follows: Messrs. Sutherland, Meltzer, Sheat Haigh and Pope.

A noticeable feature in connection with this year's debates has been the greatly increased attendance as compared with last year. This is a good sign which it is to be hoped will continue.

During the long vacation the Society read several plays. Although, properly speaking, outside the scope of a Debating Society, these readings ought to prove very helpful experience to members. We have no Dramatic Club, so it is up to the Debating Society to supply its place.

During the coming year two Visitors' Debates are to be held, at which well known public men will be asked to second the leading speakers. These, it is hoped will help to promote interest in the Society and should raise the standard of speaking.