Debating Society.

The Society's activities this year have somewhat increased and a very large attendance at the Annual General Meeting proved that a successful year might be expected—an expectation that so far has been abundantly realised.

The first meeting of the year, held on Saturday, 29th March, brought up the question of gowns. "That the wearing of gowns by Victoria College students should be made compulsory" was moved by Mr. Mountjoy and seconded by Mr. Hurley, and opposed by Mr. Crossley, seconded by Mr. Bannister. The subject, so often the battle-ground of conflicting ideas, received a flogging sufficient to last for some time and the audience appeared to enjoy the spectacle. The following spoke from the audience:—Miss Birnie, and Messrs. Bishop, Priestley, Rosevear, Cahill, Vickerman, McNaught, Arndt, Rollings and Von Sturmer. Miss Forde presided over an attendance of over 130 members and friends. The judge, Dr. McIlraith, placed the speakers in the following order: Bannister, Hurley, Crossley, Bishop and Miss Birnie, saying that he had not taken into consideration such practised speakers as Messrs. Rollings and Mountjoy. The audience, as a whole, considered that gowns were desirable, but the students voted against the innovation. The second meeting took place on Friday, 11th April, when the subject for discussion was "That the report of the Unemployment Committee furnishes an adequate and satisfactory solution of the unemployment problem." Moved by Mr. Bishop, seconded by Mr. Fabian. Opposed by Mr. Powles, seconded by Mr. Haughey. The following speakers also took part page 82 in the debate; Miss Forde, Messrs. Reardon, McCarthy, Toogood, Crossley, Jessep, Hurley, Goodson, and Bannister. Both the audience and the members of the Society decided that the report had not hidden any solution of the problem and Professor Murphy placed the speakers in the following order: Powles, Hurley, Bishop, Miss Forde, Bannister.

The next contest, an inter-College debate, between Training College and Varsity, is reported elsewhere in this volume.

The next ordinary meeting was held on Saturday, the 10th May, and the subject, "That the observance of Anzac Day should be discontinued," was argued. The debate was noticeable for the number of new speakers, and occasionally the vehemence of the views expressed. Mr. Rosevear, seconded by Miss Henderson, moved and Mr. Hurley, seconded by Mr. Foot, opposed. The following speakers also had views and expressed them: Miss Davidson, Messrs. Crossley, O'Shea, Watson, McNaught, Willis, Chorlton, Arndt, Gibson and Bannister. The motion was carried both by the audience as a whole and by the Society. About 50 persons were present, mostly visitors, as this was a vacation debate. The judge, Mr. Parry, placed the speakers as follows: Bannister, Miss Davidson, Hurley, Arndt, Crossley.

The next meeting of the Society took the form of the annual political delate with visiting speakers. This year the subject was, "Which should govern New Zealand—United, Reform, or Labour?" The triangular contest is always difficult, but the visiting speakers provided both an instructive and amusing debate. Mr. McDougall, M.P., represented United; Mr. A. E. Mander, Reform; and Mr. W. Nash, M.P., Labour. The College speakers were: Miss Forde, and Messrs. Von Sturmer, Arndt, Bannister and Crossley. The audience, which numbered about 120, were almost convulsed by the speech of the United Speaker, and altogether the debate was the occasion for much hearty laughter and good-humoured interjection, although the political views were mostly conspicuous by their absence.

It has become the custom to have supper served at the end of all debates, and the Committee intends that this, shall be the rule. A charge of one penny will be made to help defray the extra expense, and it is felt that this small contribution will not be unwillingly given. It certainly makes for a pleasant evening to feel that an informal chat over supper can be had after a debate.

It is hoped that this year will be a memorable one in the Society's history, and the syllabus has been made as diverse as possible, while new speakers are being welcomed and given the opportunity to develop their talent for speaking.