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Debating Society

"God help, poor souls, how idly do they talk."

—Comedy of Errors

The Debating Society continues with all the fresh vigour imported at the beginning of the Session. So steady the stream of eloquence, indeed, that the Society decided, on the motion of "the brave Archibald," that ever-valiant and canny Scot, that no member should be allowed to become "a nuisance to his friends and a terror to his enemies" for more than seven minutes together, and that the long drawn-out weariness of reply should be limited to minutes ten. This rule has added much to the briskness and directness of the sittings.

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The attendances have been on the whole excellent. On several occasions over 60 members have occupied their seats and all night sittings have been prevented only by the watchman on sentry-go, our ever-patient Janitor, whose slow and weary footsteps echo round the dim and lonely corridors.

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The chances of Hockey have not restrained the ladies from attending the meetings—but why is the brilliant exception left to remind us that time was when College girls did not shun the rostra and supported their votes with modest eloquence? The success of the meetings depends very largely on the interest which lady debaters lend to the proceedings.

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When the "Wellington Literary and Debating Societies' Union" was formed, the College decided to join. Our Society sends ten shillings and seven representatives, to wit :— J. C. Gleeson, J. Graham, A. H. Johnstone, F. A. de la Mare, A. G. Quartley, H. P. Richmond and G. Toogood. Graham has been Acting-Premier—he knows the role by heart—and Richmond leader of the Opposition. Things of this kind bring the College page 21 into sympathetic touch with the City life and at one meeting Sir Robert Stout congratulated the College on the part its Students were taking.

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The Society also aims at this result through its public debates with outside Societies. Three were arranged during the Session but two of the Societies were unable to send teams on the nights fixed. The N.Z. Socialist Party, whose team proved victorious last year, was easily vanquished on the question "That competition has accelerated the progress of the human race." The College had the affirmative side, and the strength of that position severely handicapped the other side. However, the College representatives, Richmond, Quartley, Toogood and Gleeson were in excellent form, and notwithstanding the able opposition of Mr W. H. Hampton were declared victors by 70 points to 45.

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On the motion "That Party Government should be abolished," W. Newberry and H. G. Mason (both of South African fame) urged upon the Society the necessity of getting out of the frying pan, but G. Toogood, supported by A. C. Bretherton, urged with so much effect that the move might involve the fire that the Society decided to adopt a Conservative attitude.

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The weather was not propitious on the night set apart for the Presidential address. Professor Kirk's subject was "The Maori of To-day," and those who were privileged to listen to it were glad they had braved the elements. Professor Kirk's wide experience in the Native Schools gave his words an authority of which the effect was not destroyed by a strong vein of keen and kindly humour. The "talk," as Professor Kirk preferred to call it, was, however, essentially serious and practical and it is interesting to note that the subject matter was used with much effect by our representatives at the Debating Union in suggesting legislation dealing with Native affairs.

H. P. Richmond and H H. Ostler found themselves opposed on the question "That the British Empire is bound to decline and fall as the great nations of antiquity have done." Miss F. Smith led the van valiantly for the ladies and the Debate went with a good swing. It is a regrettable fact that an official of "THE SPIKE" was found allied against the Empire^*, but page 22 fittingly enough a future Rhodes Scholar—a man of science—maintained it had no watery grave. One vote decided the fall of the Empire.

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Parliamentary Evening found T. E. Seddon filling the Treasury Benches, and with him W. H Newberry, J. H. Goulding and J. C. Gleeson, confronted by a disorganised opposition, worthy "free lances." H. H. Ostler was duly elected Speaker and failed to adopt recent precedents in the matter of a wig. His decisions involved the removal of a highly esteemed member and occasionally invoked disorder— which, however, he put down with an iron hand. After a stormy discussion the Government succeeded in passing its policy measure and defeated a no-confidence motion.

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"That resistance to the Law is sometimes justifiable," moved by A. H. Johnstone and opposed by A. Tudhope, evoked a bright discussion. Some amusement was caused by the fact that the most peaceable members (on reputation) were allied with the resisters, active and passive, who carried the day.

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Owing to the Wesleyan Literary and Debating Society being unable to send its team, the College assembled for an Impromptu Debate. Mr. T. A. Hunter was voted to the chair and eighteen speakers discussed eighteen subjects, chosen with an eye to the possibilities of humour. Many members, including the, chairman, had come expecting a Ladies' Evening, (Oratrices of a fallacious Notice-board) but were disappointed.

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We would direct the attention of members of the Society to the Rhetorical Competition to be held on the Satin day after the completion of the English Examinations. This will, as last year, take the form of a Political Speech, and horn amongst the University-College Debate at the forthcoming Easter Tournament competitors will be chosen our representatives for the Inter-in Wellington.

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We wish our talking team for next Easter every success.

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