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Debating Society

In spite of a natural lack of interest in the work of the Society by a large number of students, the Debating Society has managed to carry out, with slight amendment, its original programme for the year.

The third debate of the year was held on 12th June, when Mr. P. B. Broad, seconded by Mr. A. E. Caddick, moved: "That the attitude of the Asquith Ministry in the international negotiations preceding the Great War was such as to merit the condemnation of the English electorate." The motion was opposed by Mr. N. A. Foden and Mr. A. J. George. In spite of the unusual subject matter, the debate was an interesting one. The movers took full advantage of the fact that the initiative was theirs, and their argument at least left no doubt in the mind of the audience of the movers' thorough dislike of the pacific policy of the late Liberal Ministry. The opposers had not taken full advantage of the information supplied by the mass of literature upon the war, that is now available, and their case was not materially assisted by Mr. George's ingenious confession that he had had time only to skim through the English Blue Book. A large number of speakers took part in the debate. The motion, on being put, was declared lost by seven to six. The judge (Mr. P. Levi) placed the following speakers:—(1) Mr. Broad, (2) Mr. Caddick, (3) Mr Byrne, (4) Mr. Foden, and (5) Mr. Auton.

On 31st July Mr. W. F. Matthews, seconded by Mr. P. B. Broad, moved: "That war is incompatible with page 45 Christianity." Mr. H. F. Cotter, seconded by Mr. J. P. Byrne, opposed. This again was an interesting debate. The movers suffered from a lack of combination, their respective arguments in some respects overlapping. The argument of the opposers was directed rather to showing that war was necessary, than that it was Christian. As was, perhaps, unavoidable, a good deal of irrelevant matter crept into the discussion. The motion was finally carried by nine votes to two. The judge (Mr. J. A Hanan, M.P.) placed the following:—(1) Mr. Broad, (2) Miss Park, (3) Mr. Byrne, (4) Mr. Matthews, (5) Mr. Cotter.

On 14th August Professor Marsden delivered his Presidential address, his subject being "Notes on Aircraft and Wireless." As was to be expected, the address was a most interesting and instructive one, in spite of the Chairman's attempt to convert it into an address on "Wirecraft and Airless." The Society's best thanks are due to Professor Marsden for the trouble he took, and it would be ungenerous not to mention the assistance rendered by Mr. R. M. Bruce with the lantern. Those students who were fortunate enough to hear the address must have been in a position to appreciate the feelings of Keats on first looking into Chapman's Homer—a new planet had swum into their ken. Some of the lantern effects obtained by Mr. Bruce were very original and interesting, if a trifle unexpected.

On 11th September Mr. Schmidt, seconded by Mr. N. L. Wright, moved: "That in the present situation in Europe conscription should be adopted in England." Mr. Atmore, seconded by Mr. A. J. George, opposed. The debate was very poorly attended, but of an interesting character. The motion, on being put, was carried by four votes to three. The judge (Mr. E. P. Lee, M.P.) placed the following:—(1) Mr. George, (2) Mr. Atmore, (3) Mr. Schmidt, (4) Mr Byrne, (5) Mr Wright.

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