The Spike or Victoria College Review October 1930
Debating Society
Debating Society
The Society continues to flourish like the green bay tree and this year only one debate (and that a vacation one on an exceedingly wet night) has been poorly attended. The average attendance for the year is approximately 100. Such a record proves the popularity of the Society's activities and the Committee feels that its efforts to provide a syllabus acceptable to everyone have not been in vain.
The 331st meeting was held on Saturday, 7th June, at 8 p.m., when Mr. Hurley presided over a meeting of about 50 persons. The subject, "That the topmost perch is the slitheriest to sit upon," was moved by Mr. Bannister, seconded by Mr. McWhinnie and opposed by Mr. Powles, seconded by Mr. McNaught. The mover based his belief on first, that a man had not reached the highest position unless he had attained his ambition and when that event happened he either marked time or slid back, and second, that the climbing multitudes always seek to displace those higher up than themselves. The opposer based his argument on the cliche, "There's plenty of room at the top," and said that security is never so evident as in the case of the man at the top. Many speakers followed; Miss Davidson, Miss Forde, Messrs. Good-son, Hurley, Reardon, Watson, Arndt, Rosevear, Crossley, Vickerman and others expressing varied views. There was little humour and some volume of interjection. The Judge, Mr. F. C. Spratt, said he would give no reasons for his placing. Speakers were placed as follows:—Mr. Powles, Mr. Watson, Mr. Hurley, Mr. Bannister, and Messrs. Arndt and Crossley equal. The motion was lost on the vote of the audience. Supper, as usual, followed.
The next meeting was held on 17th June. This was a new speakers' debate, the discussion being limited to speakers of not more than one year's standing. Mr. Powles presided over a meeting of about 40. Mr. Chorlton seconded by Mr. Von Sturmer moved, and Miss Buckley seconded by Miss Davidson opposed, "That fear of punishment has greater effect than hope of reward." Many new speakers took part and there was some considerable humour as well as evidence of solid preparation and thought. There is undoubtedly good debating talent among the new speakers and the Committee will be glad to see them coming forward and taking an active part in all the meetings of the Society. The following also spoke: Misses Henderson and Macdonald, Messrs. Watson, Taylor, Palmer, Reardon, Goodson, Willis, Vickerman. The judge, Professor Cornish, gave some very helpful criticism and remarked on the performance of each speaker as well. His advice should be helpful to those who took part and those who listened. He placed the speakers as follows: Miss Buckley and Miss Henderson 1st equal, Mr. Watson 2nd, Mr. Chorlton 3rd, Mr. Reardon 4th and Messrs. Goodson and Palmer 5th equal. A hearty vote of thanks to the judge was given and we feel that this was greatly deserved. Mr. Cornish takes great interest in the Society and no trouble is too great for him if he feels that he can help the members of the Society.
It is intended to follow out the practice of having new speakers' debates in the syllabus. We look to the new students to carry on the work of the Society in years to come.
The next debate was held on Saturday, 21st June. A team from Arts and Science met a team from Law and Commerce. Law and Commerce (Messrs. Hurley, Bannister and Crossley) affirmed, "That East is East and West is West and never the twain shall meet," and Arts and Science (Mr. Mountjoy, Miss Forde, and Mr. Cowan) opposed. The contest was for the possession of a trophy to be presented by the Society and was judged by three judges acting independently of each other. The number of points was determined by adding the placement numbers of the teams, the team having the lowest number would be the winner. The best speaker was also to be placed. A spirited debate took place and the audience numbering well over 100 appeared to enjoy the contest. The honours of the contest went to Arts and Science, and Mr. Mountjoy was adjudged the best speaker. This contest should be an annual event of importance and it is hoped that as much interest will be shown next year.
The next debate was held on 19th July, the subject being, "That the time is ripe for the abolition of party government in New Zealand." This was moved by Miss Henderson, seconded by Mr. Reardon, and opposed by Messrs. Crossley and Cahill. Mr. Mountjoy was in the chair, and the debate was judged by Mr. W. Nash, who deputised for Mr O'Regan. The contest was long and at times contested with heat. As usual there were many speakers, and altogether the debate was a success. The speakers were placed as follows:—Mr. Mountjoy, Mr. Riske. The motion appeared to be carried.
On the 1st August a debate was broadcast, the subject being, "That the world is not really progressing., Moved by Mr. Mountjoy, seconded by Miss Henderson, and opposed by Miss Forde and Mr. Watson. The debate was judged by Mr. Black, and Mr. Powles occupied the chair. The attendance was about 140. Everyone seemed to enjoy both the motion and the attempts to prove or disprove it and the interjections were long, loud and frequent. Altogether it was not such a successful broadcast as last year's, but from the point of view of an ordinary meeting, it was highly successful. The following took part in the debate: Messrs. Crossley, Hurley, Riske, and Ferris. Most people seemed to think that the world was getting on nicely, thank you.
The annual religious debate was held on 15th August, when Mr. Riske, seconded by Mr. Benge, moved, "That the organised Christian Church is falling into decay." This was opposed by Mr. Taylor, seconded by Mr. Reardon. The debate brought out plenty of humour and also some feeling on the subject. The following speakers also took part: Messrs. Scotney, Vickerman, Withers, Watson, Gibson, Goodson and Roth-well, and the judge, Mr. A. M. Cousins, placed the speakers in the following order:—(1) Mr. Mountjoy, (2) Mr. Powles, (3) Mr. Reardon, (4) Mr. Bannister, (5) Mr. Hurley, (6) Messrs. Riske and Crossley. The motion was lost on the audience vote.
The 335th ordinary meeting was held on 29th August, the subject for discussion being, "That a measure of aid should be granted to private schools." This was moved by Mr. Reardon seconded by Mr. Hurley, and opposed by Mr. Jessep seconded by Mr. Toogood. By mutual consent the motion was treated as meaning state aid in New Zealand. This was the most poorly attended debate to date. The night was very bad, and it being vacation the usual number could not attend. However a most spirited discussion, or rather wrangle, began. The following speakers also took part: Miss Henderson, Messrs. Powles, Bannister, Chorlton and Hall. The judge, Prof. Von Zedlitz, placed the speakers in the following order: Mr. Hurley, Miss Henderson, Mr. Bannister, Mr. Powles, Mr. Reardon. The motion was carried by both the Society and the audience as a whole.
There is only one more regular debate this season and that will be held on Friday, 12th September. The subject will be, "That modern industrialism is detrimental to culture." After this impromptu debates will be held on 26th September. Members are requested to enter in pairs for this contest, which should be very good fun. This will conclude the Society's activities for the year. The Plunket Medal contest is reported elsewhere in this issue.
So far fifty-eight speakers have taken part in debates. This constitutes a record for the Society. The most pleasing feature is that the majority of these are new speakers. The Committee welcomes these students and hopes that they will take a larger part next year. The work of the Society we believe to be of benefit to students and feel gratified that our efforts to provide good fare have met with a good reception. This year the Committee have broken new ground. An inter-college debate with Training College has been instituted as well as the inter-faculty debate, and the new speakers' debate noted above. We hope that future committees will carry on these contests, and as such future committees must come from students just beginning at college urge that our new speakers of this year carry on in the next and keep the Society in at least a strong position as it holds now.