Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

The Spike or Victoria College Review, June 1903

Debating Society

page 16

Debating Society

URQUENT RUSTICE SANE.

TThe Debating Society has now turned the corner of its fourth year stronger than ever, with a membership second only to that of the Students' Association, and with every prospect of still further rapid growth. "Why should all students make an effort to help the Society and make that effort now?" "That is the question," as Hamlet would say. Once more the "Whips of time" excuse is thrown in the Secretarial teeth, once again a committee has to face those long-faced lanterned-jawed and spectacled individuals, who work all Saturday, work all Sunday and have that "tired feeling" all the week. If the Society existed for the express purpose of lifting these people out of themselves, and, once a fortnight at least, of giving them other thoughts "de officiis" than those of Cicero, we would deserve recognition by the Society which concerns itself with the treatment of dumb animals.

But this race of student is fast dying out; the aims of this Society are towards eradicating the same; we blush not when we claim that our objects are these. We endeavour by entertaining means to bring students together and to further that great object, that scholars should educate one another. We endeavour to make it a Society where the weak can help the strong, where the seed of ideas is carefully watered, pruned, and tended so that, in the future, it may flourish into a strong and vigorous plant, bearing the fruits of action. Does this object commend itself to you—are we working on correct lines? It is for the students to judge, by their dictum we succeed or fail.

Perhaps a stronger reason why the Society deserves the attention and support of the students, yea, and of the University authorities themselves, lies in the indisputable fact that the Society may claim to bring the students of the University in touch with the general public. Dependent as we are on the sufferance of the community, it is but right that "the man in the street" should be able to form some opinion concerning the work of the college which lie helps to support. What better proof than the fortnightly meetings of the Society, what evidence page 17 more conclusive than the syllabus of that body, can be brought forward in support of the contention, that the students of the College are endeavouring to train themselves to be useful citizens, useful politicians; are fitting themselves to be a factor which in future may bind the Colony together, in short are deserving of the trust that the public has placed in them.

. . . .

No one will deny the Debating Society's claim to bring the students into closer relationship with the leading celebrities of this city and Colony. All thanks is due to those ladies and gentlemen who, as friends of the College, have done more than anyone else to strengthen this body and through it the standing of the College itself. There is no reason why this movement should not increase and expand. The best of the present is thus brought into contact with the future, assuring for it seriousness and strength.

. . . .

In considering its syllabus the Debating Society has stretched out its hands to the Students' Association. Three nights have been given to the discussion of matters intimately connected with the welfare of the College, and no doubt the union of these two bodies will help to strengthen both, and will work for the good of the College as a whole.

. . . .

Owing to the Easter Tournament, the session was somewhat late in commencing. The annual general meeting was followed by an impromptu debate. The committee notes with pleasure that a large number of Freshmen braved the audience. "It is a sign of growth when the buds begin to shoot."

The Debates.

In the first debate of the Session, R. G. M. Park maintained that a "Students' Boarding House on co-operative lines" was eminently desirable. Having exhausted the resources of the English language, he claimed the Parliamentary privilege of an interpreter, and H. Ostler rose to the occasion by giving a somewhat free though poetical translation of the rhythmic Maori periods. W. Newbury and A. Tudhope brought much legal acumen to destroy the plaintiff's case.

. . . .

"The Elevating Influence of the Stage" was discussed at the next meeting. The affirmative position was moved by F. A. de la Mare, who was supported by Miss F. Smith. J. Buddle and C. Collins were eloquent in opposition, and carried the voting in a thin house by 13 to 9.

page 18

Professor Wall, of Canterbury College, in a letter to the secretary of the Students' Association, asked that the Association should discuss a scheme by which he considered the value of the New Zealand pass degrees might be raised by means of a system of specialisation. The idea was that a wide range of subjects should occupy the first year at College, with a comparatively easy examination at the end. In the second year the number of subjects should be reduced, and the standard of examination raised, while in the third year specialisation should be carried a step farther. In other words, the examination year by year should lose in extension and gain in intention. The Students' Association suggested Professor Wall's scheme as a subject for the Debating Society's consideration, and the question was settled once and for all by 14 votes to 6, in favour of the scheme. A. H. Johnstone set forth the disadvantages of the present system and the advantages of the proposed change, and he was supported by H. H. Ostler. J. A. Brailsford and with him A. G. Quartley, the one with humorous subtlety, the other with dramatic intensity, supported modification without revolution. Professor Mackenzie, while agreeing with the spirit of the suggestion, thought it unsuited to the condition of student life in New Zealand, and advocated a modification of the Scotch system. Most of the other speakers supported Professor Wall.

. . . .

The Session promises to be a very successful and enjoyable one, and we cordially invite all students and their friends to attend. Non-members are allowed to speak, but not to vote. There is an annual Essay Competition in connection with the Society, for which a prize is offered. The subject for this year is "Student Types."

Graphic Border