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 University College Review October 1905

Debating Society Urquent Rustice Sane

page 23

Debating Society Urquent Rustice Sane.

"And when you stick on oratory's burrs
Dont strew your pathway with those dreadful urs."

—Holmes

Sketch of academic shouting

TThe Society may congratulate itself on having this year a most successful season. Not only has the style of speaking improved, but new speakers have come forward to fill the gaps caused by the defection of some of the older members.

The Union Prize has no doubt caused a keener competition than would otherwise have been the case, and the Debates with other societies, organised by the Union Parliament, have also been productive of greater interest, both in and outside the College.

The Society took part in the debating contest arranged and controlled by the executive of the Union Parliament. In the first round, our representatives, Fitzgibbon, Kelly and Brailsford, were successful against the representatives of the Vivian Street Baptist Society. The question for discussion was the tendencies of trusts as affecting the welfare of the human race.

Our men were drawn to uphold the trust system. The debate was judged by Mr. McNab, M.H.R.

In the second round, our representatives, who were drawn to meet the Y.M.C.A. representatives, and had to speak against the alliance of Britain and Japan as affecting the interests of civilisation, were less fortunate. The debate was judged by the mayor, Hon. T. W. Hislop. Our society on this occasion was represented by Richmond, Bogle and Dixon.

The subject chosen for debate in the first round was hardly a fair one, conferring as it did, a decided advantage on one side. The subject in the second round was, however, much more suitable,

page 24

One of the most successful debates held this year was that on the perennially fresh question "Home Rule." This was the first debate counting in the competition for the Union Prize and on this occasion Mr. A. R. Atkinson acted as judge.

E. J. Fitzgibbon spoke on behalf of the distressful country; and evidently spoke from conviction; he was opposed by C. H. Taylor, who directed some ingenious arguments against the position upheld by the mover. F. P. Kelly and R. Mason Supported the mover and seconder respectively. Miss F. Smith said she wished to enlighten the poor students who grope in darkness, and proceeded to endorse the remarks of the mover to whom she felt like a brother. By the unanimous consent of the audience, she was granted an extension of time. The motion was also supported by J. S. Thompson, C. Collins, and W. Perry, and opposed by J. Brailsford and J. Hogben. On being but to the meeting, the desirability of granting Home Rule was approved by a large majority. The judge delivered his award at a subsequent meeting, placing the first five speakers in the following order: E. J. Fitzgibbon, Miss F. Smith, C. B. Collins, F. P. Kelly and J. S. Thompson. The attendance was about one hundred and twenty—a record for an ordinary meeting. Though some of the "Irish party" came armed with clubs, no breach of the peace was recorded.

During the short vacation, the meetings went on as usual. At the first meeting, F. A. de la Mare, G. Bogle, R. Mason and C. H. Taylor were elected to represent the Society in the debate with the Socialist Party. On the motion of V. B. Willis, the meeting adjourned for three minutes to celebrate the victory of the Hockey Junior Eleven against the redoubtable United The Chairman led in a haka, which in some degree, relieved the feelings of the audience. The Society's Journal was then read.

The Editor and G. F. Dixon read contributions on various subjects. One writer advocated that our Women Graduates should find spheres of usefulness at present neglected, such as domestic service. A number of members took part in the discussion that followed, and the Editor replied to some of the criticisms. The proceedings were varied by such interludes the attempt of V. B. Willis and S. Eichelbaum to sing a duet.

At the next meeting, on May 12th, the Chairman read letter from Mr. Waterfield, Private Secretary to His Excellency the Governor, intimating that His Excellency desired to award and make provision for the endowment of a medal for Oratory. It was suggested that the medal be called the Plunket Medal, page 25 and reference was made to a similar prize established at Trinity College, Dublin, in memory of the first Lord Plunket, Irish publicist and orator. The hope was expressed that such a medal might prove a link binding the various universities of the Empire. This offer, expressed in terms so flattering to the society, evoked enthusiastic applause. The business of the evening, a debating contest with the Socialist Party, was then proceeded with. Mr. Griffiths, for the Socialists, moved, "That man's incentive to industry, will be greater under Socialism than under the present system of Capitalism." He was supported by Messrs Eagle, Wolstenholme and Lang. The motion was opposed by F. A. de la Mare, G. V. Bogle, C. H. Taylor and R. Mason. The judges, Dr. Chapple, nominated by the Socialist Party, and Mr. A. R. Atkinson, nominated by this Society, decided in favour of the College. They stated the decision was chiefly due to the greater relevency of the College arguments and to their combined treatment of the subject; the representatives of the other side were inclined to argue on the broad ground of Socialism, instead of confining themselves to the particular aspect involved in the motion. The speeches of Mr. Lang, who acted as a substitute and spoke entirely without notes, and of G. V. Bogle, were singled out for special commendation.

The weather was very unfavourable on the night on which the President, Mr. M. W. Richmond, was to give his address, and as a consequence only about fifty members were present. It was a pity the attendance was not larger, as those who did attend could not but be profoundly interested in the important matters shown by the speaker to be underlying the College motto. The lecture was listened to with close attention and at the conclusion, a vote of thanks, proposed by F. A. de la Mare, and seconded by H. P. Richmond, was carried by acclamation.

On the motion "That it is in the interests of the Australasian Colonies to exclude all coloured labour," T. Neave and H. Banks, were opposed to W. Gillanders and I. Davey. G, F. Dixon, G. V. Bogle, E. J. Fitzgibbon and C. H. Taylor took part in the debate. The Society decided in favour of a policy of exclusion by seventeen to thirteen. Dr. Gibb, who acted as judge on this occasion, placed the speakers for the Union Prize in the following order:—H. Banks, I. Davey, T. Neave, F. A. de la Mare, G. F. Dixon. The judge, after remarking on the general high level of the speeches and the difficulty of judging, gave speakers some kindly criticism on pronunciation and attitude.

page 26

The question of an alteration of the Rules for the Plunket Medal was brought up at the next meeting, G. F. Dixon moving that they be referred back to the Committee with a recommendation that the prize be awarded on the opinion of three expert judges. Though the feeling of the meeting seemed to be decidedly in favour of this course, the Committee decided to adhere to the original rule and award the prize by ballot. The question set down for discussion was "That early specialisation in Technical subjects is inimical to the development of the highest intellectual power." Miss Frühauf in what was undoubtedly one of the best speeches of the evening, led in favour of the motion and was opposed by I. Davey. A. Tudhope and W. Gillanders seconded the affirmative and negative respectively. There was a keen competition to catch the Chairman's eye. Mr. J. W. Joynt, who acted as judge, placed the speakers in the following order:—E. J. Fitzgibbon, Miss Frühauf, H. Banks, J. S. Thompson and W. Gillanders.

In the last debate of the session, C. B. Collins moved "That conscription should be established within the British Empire." He was opposed by E. C. Bretherton. The mover and seconder were supported by E. J. Fitzgibbon and H. Banks respectively. The mover in a speech crowded with figure, traversed the arguments that conscription was more costly than our present system, and pointed out that a conscript army was infinitely more reliable in the case of sudden danger. The opposer urged the need of circumspection and in a confidential manner asked whether the audience had ever seen a cat crossing a muddy road and if they knew what conscription was— the audience answered both queries in the negative in a manner that started the roof beams.

The attendance was smaller than usual, only about fifty being present, but there was more than the usual number who felt moved to speak. F. P. Kelly, A. Tudhope and W. Perry spoke in favour of the motion, and W. Gillanders, C. H. Taylor, T. Neave, R. Mason, F. A. de la Mare, G. G. Smith and Mr. Webb against. The position of V. B. Willis, who was warned by the chairman to be more careful of his grammar, appearad to be somewhat anomalous, as he announced himself as in favour of "compulsory volunteering." The meeting by a large majority, declared against conscription. This was the final debate for the Union Prize, and while the judge was making up the marks of the various speakers; nominations where received for representatives at the Easter Tournament. Eight speakers were nominated and after a close ballot, E. J. Fitzgibbon and page 27 F. P. Kelly were elected, with T. Neave and H. Banks as reserves. The judge, Mr. Black, then announced his award, explaining his method of judging, and making a few remarks on the qualities and defects of each of the first five speakers. His method met with the general approval of the meeting, and his announcement of the award was received with applause. He placed the first five speakers in the following order:—

E. J. Fitzgibbon, H. Banks, E. C. Bretherton, F. P. Kelly, and C, B. Collins.

The judge complimented the society on the high level of the speeches, doubting whether any similar organisation in the City would show such all-round excellence. This award gave the Union Prize to E. J. Fitzgibbon, he having received 24 points in the debates during the session, H. Banks being second with 16. A hearty vote of thanks to the judge and cheers for our representatives, and for the officers of the Society, terminated the business of the evening and brought to a close, what may be regarded as the most successful year the Society has had. We wish our representatives every success at the Tournament, and confidently expect they will put up a good fight for the coveted shield.

"Plunket Medal" Contest.

Plunket medal contest

The scene in the Girl's High School on the night of Saturday, September 9th, 1905, will be looked back to in years to come, not only by those who were there, but (when these have passed away) by silver-toned youths, who shall narrate the mighty deeds of "the late eminent statesman, Edward Fitzgibbon," or "the Demosthenes of the twentieth century, Harry Banks." The occasion was the first competition for the "Plunket Medal," presented by Lord Plunket, Governor of N. Z., to the Victoria College Debating Society. The donor himself occupied a seat on the platform, and round him was such an array of academic personnel (and costume) that must have made the heart of Joynt rejoice.

page 28

Our chairman, H. P. Richmond, welcomed the guest, particularly Lord Plunket, and told of the things which might be accomplished by such competitions, in words that showed he recognized the occasion as historical.

The first of the orators was H. Banks. He had the difficult task of setting a standard, and he performed it. He had the voice for it. He said little about Wm. Pitt that had not been said before, but he said it well, and the audience followed him closely. Then came John Graham and "jumped down the audience's throat;" they found it hard to "swallow" him and laughed instead. Napoleon was the subject, and especially his greatness. Was he great morally? No! Mentally? No! He was great in action; and, one could not help thinking, so was Graham. He took two steps to the right—one—two; then three to the left—one—two—three; then sprang to the rear and threatened de la Mare's toe with "abolition"; then he rushed to the edge of the stage brandishing his limbs and declaiming in a voice that would have done credit to an infantry sergeant-major. Then suddenly his voice would drop to a murmur and his attitude would become that of pent-up intensity. It was unique. F. A. de La Mare's hero was Sir Peter de la Mare, first Speaker of the English House of Commons. "Froggy" was in splendid form, but when it came out that he w. going to tell the story of his illustrious ancestor, many thought he was going to perpetrate a joke. Doubtless this impression detracted from the speech in the eyes of the audience. Rex Mason's handling of Sir George Grey was not a success, for the reason that he argued the point. His "bull," rocks overgrown with undergrowth," is worthy of record. F. P. Kelly's winning style told its tale. Kelly gets into sympathy with his audience quicker, probably, than any other of the College speakers. He was earnest, too, as any Irishman is in eulogising the greal Home Ruler, Gladstone. G. V. Bogle's "close reasoning" faculty stood him in poor stead as inspiring a panegyric on Joan of Arc. Although he told us that he had lost the idea that Joan was a mannish woman, we did not feel that he loved her truly. G.F. Dixon gave a "screamingly" funny interlude, which of course, spoilt his chance of winning. Dixon's hero was Lord Shaftesbury. J. A. Brailsford dealt with General Gordon, lie manifestly admired his hero, but nature did not make him an orator. C. B. Collins was cut short in his criticism of E. G. Wakefield. The speech was eminently intelligent, but it was argument rather than oratory. The audience seemed to be sighing for the end, but they changed their minds when Fitzgibbon page 29 began in his impressive style to tell the story of Daniel O'Connell. It is needless to repeat all the truisms that have been spoken about the voice with which Fitzgibbon is gifted, about his natural action and his "presence." The criticism is doubtless merited that his tone tends to become monotonous, and that in a half-hour's test, Kelly would have a better chance of defeating him. But few will disagree with the verdict that Fitzgibbon's was the best speech made that night. Good delivery was by no means its greatest merit; the earnestness of the appeal would have impressed any audience; and there was much thought in it.

By vote of members, the medal was awarded to E. J. Fitzgibbon; F. P. Kelly was second, and J. Graham third.

Mr. M. W. Richmond, president of the Society, moved a vote of thanks to Lord Plunket "for the institution and endowment of the 'Plunket Medal.' "Mr. J. W. Joynt, Registrar of the University, seconded the motion, and referred to his connection with the Historical Society, Dublin. Mr. F. E. Baume also spoke, and the motion was carried with cheers for His Excellency.

Lord Plunket then presented the medal to Fitzgibbon. It seemed appropriate, he said, that the first winner of the "Plunket Medal," which was originally an Irish medal, should be an Irishman. He (Lord Plunket) had presented the medal to the Society for two reasons; the first he averred, was rather a selfish one—to connect the name of Plunket with the College of which he had laid the foundation stone. Moreover he considered that of all debating societies in New Zealand, none was more deserving of encouragement than that one, placed as it was n the midst of Parliament and the Law Courts. Then he referred to the connection which would be established between this medal and the "Plunket Medal" which had long been the most valued prize to be won in the Historical Society, of Trinity College, Dublin. This medal was founded in memory of the first Lord Plunket, orator and statesman. His second reason for giving the medal, said His Excellency, and one that was closer to his heart—was that his ancestor owed a great deal of his success in life to the fact that as a member of the College Historical Society, he was permitted to attend debates in the House of Commons whenever he pleased.: He was greatly pleased that so many had come forward to compete for the medal.

page break
Hockey First Eleven, 1905.

Hockey First Eleven, 1905.