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 1941

Debating

Debating

This Society has had a particularly successful year, and attendances at debates have been larger than for some time past—certainly than at any time since the outbreak of war. This is probably connected with the fact that despite the difficulties inevitable in war-time, debates have been held on subjects which are neither innocuous or trivial, but of real interest and social importance. Subjects of debates so far this year are as follows:—"That the evils of Fascism would be reproduced in a Communist state," "That the churches are playing a progressive role in the world today," "That pre-war liberty is a luxury we can no longer afford," "That New Zealand should hitch its wagon to the star-spangled banner," "That the teachings of Christ offer genuine hope to humanity to-day," "That the family in its present form is an institution suited to present-day needs." A debate was held with Training College on the value of University students in the outside world.

Victoria College speaker J. R. McCreary won the Bledisloe Medal with a speech on Harry Holland.

The Plunket Medal contest this year was probably unique in that it was won by a speaker in his first year at V.U.C., and that women speakers were placed second and third. Mr. L. Nathan, the winning speaker, delivered a stirring speech on V. I. Lenin, presenting a view of the relation between the Bolshevik leader and the Revolution new to many of his audience. Second and third were Miss B. Hutchison (Eve Curie) and Miss P. Hildreth (Hans Andersen). Other subjects chosen were T. E. Lawrence (N. G. Foley), John Ballance (B, S. Devine), Dick Sheppard (Dennis Hartley), Ernst Toller (Miss M. S. Sutch), and Josef Stalin (D. G. Castle).