Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 17, No. 16 August 5, 1953

Debating Team in Prison — Wi Tako Draws With Vic

page 3

Debating Team in Prison

Wi Tako Draws With Vic

The highlight of the Debating Society's year was undoubtedly reached last Friday when a team went to Wi Tako Prison to debate with the Prisoner's team. The subject: "That the 44 hour week should be reinstated in New Zealand." Victoria's team consisted of Messrs. Bollinger and Powles and Miss Anne Olsen, and the judges were Mr. W. Parker, a welfare worker, and Miss Peggy Thom of Victoria.

The first Wi Tako speaker started off in fine style; he mentioned the horrible state of New Zealand's Saturday mornings, and her complete unpreparedness If she should be attacked on a Saturday. It would be far better to work then, he thought. He said a lot about farmers and fruit growers, who worked much more than 40 hours a week His opening speech ended with a couple of nicely-rounded sentences, which left quite an effect, on the audience.

Then Mr. Bollinger rose to speak. He told a moving story of the history of the 40-hour week how a carpenter in 1840 had refused to work more, in spite of the all-day slavery then existing in England. He spoke movingly on the fact that Satan finds mischief for idle hands ("no personal reference"), and made a few typical quips which were much appreciated by the audience.

The second Wi Tako speaker detailed the progress made since 1936, and spoke of the grave shortages caused by the war. He then related the cost of living to the 40-hour week. He declared that the working-man has too much leisure on Saturday morning and deplored the dreadful state of our bars. Tab., etc. Hit speech was very good—it was sensible and straightforward. He was followed by Mr. Powles who gave the statistics of the case, and said that the 40-hour week led to more efficient handling of labour. Mr. Powles gave the impression of being slightly nervous, but his case was good, if a little difficult to follow at times.

The Wi Toko third speaker complained that we had lost the pioneering spirit; that workers cared only for themselves and not the future. His speech was most impressive.

Anne Olsen was a pleasant surprise for the other side, who had never debated against a woman before. She answered the arguments put forward by the other team very well, and gave several original points of great interest.

Then came the summing-up and the tone of the debate lowered considerably. Mr. Bollinger proved that farmers worked far less than the 40-hour week (one of the opposition team was heard to wish that Mr. Bollinger could work for him). His was however, a good summing-up. Then the Wi Tako leader summed up. Although he and his team were not clever Varsity students, he said, they could nevertheless recognise what the bull left behind. All these students were being trained to be lawyers some lawyers were just too efficient (subdued mirth). Said Miss Olsen: "But you people want them to work another four hours a week:' Some rascally manufacturers, he asserted, were selling children's shoes made of cardboard for exorbitant prices; also the N.Z. housewife would walk a mile to save a penny. He knew this himself (a magnificent picture was conjured up of the gentleman in question walking a mile with a shopping basket). He ended steaming at the pores.

The Judge announced her decision as follows: Varsity had had good points, but had not made the most of them. Wi Toko on the other hand had not said much, but had put up a brilliant bluff. The result was undoubtedly a draw. Best speaker was Mr. Bollinger with the third and second Wi Tako speakers close behind. The leader was commended for his lively summing-up.

After speeches of thanks, the teams and visitors were given a superb supper, during the course of which the Wi Tako leader gave the Judge advice about ways to disconcert the opposition when debating. Said Mr. Bollinger to him, "I couldn't help feeding that It was you who sold children's shoes for £2." Prisoner, chuckling: "Oh, I sold things all right. The only trouble was that they didn't exist!"

The evening altogether was a great success.