Franco's Cause Debated

I have been paid the tribute by "Salient" of being asked to record a few impressions of last Friday night's historic debate on the Spanish situation. I should explain that I am a comparative newcomer to Wellington, unacquainted with "Salient" and its preoccupation with Questions That Matter, and was judged on that account, I believe, to be peculiarly fitted for the role of impartial onlooker.

Briefly, the debate was "That this house lends its support to General Franco and his Cause." The affirmative was taken by Mr. B. J. Barnao and Mr. P. McGavin, the negative by Mr. A. H. Scotney and Mr. J. D. Freeman; Mr. J. B. Aimers was in the chair and Mr. W. P. Rollings was judge. I was given to understand has the debate originated from a challenge hurled at "Salient" by Mr. Barnao.

After referring to the difficulty of arguing in the face of two years of propaganda through "The Dominion" and "Evening Post," plus the efforts of "Salient," Mr. Barnao kicked off with the premise that Franco had come to restore law and order where there was nothing but chaos there being for all practical purposes no Government in Spain in 1936. Mr. Barnao quoted in support of his arguments the U.S. Constitution, the constitution of the Spanish Republic, the London "Times" and a long list of alleged outrages to prove that following the election in 1936 of the People's Government there existed nothing but disorders throughout Spain. The Government did not make the slightest endeavour to restore order and the only alternative to anarchy and chaos was he rising of the army under Franco.