Discussion Criticised

I attended a meeting of the Free Discussions Club last week, at which Mr. Sherwod was the speaker. I have never been so disappointed in my life. A most inspiring and challenging address was delivered, after which all the united forces of the Club could do in the way of discussion was to politely ask a few innocuous questions. What's the use of a Free Discussions Club if they won't freely discuss, sir?

This club has been steadily slipping into the doldrums and is now openly sailing under false colours. The remedy is obvious. Either go out of busines or change the name to something like "Cultural Development in Society of the Politer Type Association" and cease to attract people along by waving the flagof discussion only to find that their efforts in that direction will be sat on with the sombre solemnity of a decaying tomb. I am sorry if my outburst offended the gentler susceptibilities of those disciples of truth who sat in silent discussion (?) but I was very displeased with the club.

Ex-President in true colours

Gross inconsistency and unconfined egoism confronted me when I read the letter submitted to "Smad" last week by M. J. Mason allegedly to correct the interpretation put on his speech at the farewell supper to the old residents of Weir House.

No doubt—and I would be the last to deny the fact-Mr. Mason has done sterling work at the House, but to sever his connection with it by such a speech and with such a letter, is entirely beyond reason. And here I explain myself. In one portion of the letter under discussion Mr. Mason said "... as if I categorically stated that Weir House would be a failure owing to the departure of the older members of whom I was one. such an attitude would be an extremely conceited one." later in the later appear the astounding words, ". . . and find leaders, either in the House or outdside, to replace those whom the shortsighted policy of the mangement sighted policy of the Management Committee has made it necessary to leave, etc."

Is not that an "extremely conceited attitude"? In Weir House at the present moment are leaders as capable as there have ever been.

Hoping this will clear the atmosphere of the hot air so prevalent,