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The Spike or Victoria University College Review

Debating Society

Debating Society

The glory has returned. Maybe it was the Auckland triumph that did it; maybe merely a mathematical application of the law of average. The predominant fact, however, is that the Debating Society is in every way experiencing a most successful session. The subjects for page 36 debate have lent themselves to thorough discussion, and on more than one occasion the "10 p.m. rule" has been suspended. An unexpected number of new speakers is in evidence, some bearing the stamp of keen debaters, and the more experienced speakers seem to have taken a renewed interest in the Society. From present indications, it may be confidently predicted that the winner of the Union Prize will have to gain a very high average of points.

At the end of last session the Committee instituted a series of readings, held weekly throughout the summer vacation. So largely were these reading circles attended that they have been continued throughout this session, and it cannot be denied that by developing originality and literary taste they do much to supplement the College curriculum.

The Committee also became keenly alive to the fact that, while there are three valuable prizes to be won by members of the Society, the only record of the winners of these prizes is in the minute book. Considerable preparation and self-sacrifice, culminating in a very successful dramatic entertainment in St. Peter's Schoolroom provided funds to remedy this defect. Now a handsome Honours Board, generously presented by Mr. E. J. Collie, and erected in the Social Hall, bears the names of the winners of the Joynt Scroll, Union Prize, and Plunket Medal.

At the inter-University Tournament, held in Auckland, the Victoria College representatives, Messrs. C. H. Taylor and M. H. Oram, were successful in winning the Joynt Challenge Scroll. The fact that Victoria College has won the Scroll five times out of ten speaks highly of the standard of debating in the Society.

It has been decided that the Society should not join the Wellington Union this year. The best speakers are never available for the Union debates, and in consequence the Society does not take its due rank in Wellington.

The annual meeting was a stormy one, in sympathy with the weather. The Committee had recommended that the Plunket Medal should be awarded on the judgment of three or five outside judges. After a firm stonewall had been broken down, the recommendation was eventually adopted. Another alteration in the Society's rules was to the effect that any competitor who has spoken in more than six debates may count any six for the purpose page 37 of the Union Prize competition, a rule which has done much to improve the quality of the speaking in the regular debates.

The motion for the opening debate was that "The demand of the Irish Nationalists for Home Rule should be granted," moved by W. J. McEldowney and F. Hall-Jones, opposed by C. H. Taylor and M. H. Oram. The speeches were of a serious and impassioned order, Oram's harrowing picture of Ireland under Home Rule being reminiscent of Dante. The judge, Hon. Mr. Jenkinson, M.L.C., complained that the debate was rather too serious, and this after one experienced speaker had proved his right to cut off his opponent's head with a shillelagh. Messrs. Fair, Smith, McEldowney, Watson and Hall-Jones were awarded places by the judge.

The flood-gates of humour were opened wide for the next debate, "That it would be in the best interests of the United Kingdom to adopt a system of adult franchise," moved by P. B. Broad and C. Treadwell, and opposed by T. Holmden and E. Mackersey. The leaders piffled exquisitely. while the sparkle of interjection and retort, and the flippant demolition of the enemy's castles with the battering rams of sarcasm and invective kept the audience in the best of humour. The main arguments were most convincingly propounded by the 7-minute men, many of the remaining speeches being more interesting than intrinsically good. The judge Mr. Sievwright gave a very succinct criticism of the various speakers and placed the best in the following order:—Messrs. McEldowney, Pair, Hall-Jones, Inder and Watson. Miss Marshall, an eloquent suffragette, with a thorough knowledge of the subject, was not eligible for the competition.

Truly, an academical aroma pervaded the atmosphere when A. Fair and T. Holmden moved "That the courses provided and the methods in vogue at this College tend to narrow the student's outlook." The University was championed by G. H. Robertson and D. E. C. Mackay, who persuaded the meeting that the motion should not be carried. The audience was fortunately good-humoured and did not take the least exception to being called narrow-minded; but perhaps they were too absorbed in the lurid pictures of cram drawn by the movers. Professor Laby, in judging, made some remarks on the general aspect of the question, and made the following award:—1st, A. page 38 Fair; 2nd, F. Hall-Jones; 3rd, W. McEldowney; 4th. W. Rutherfurd. G. C. Jaekson, G. W. Morice. furd, G. C. Jackson, G. W. Morice.

Politics were the order of the evening when the motion, "That the New Zealand Arbitration and Conciliation System is a Failure" was discussed. G. Watson and H. Evans led pro, A. Sievwright and S. Mason con. Both sides stood unanimous on one point, that the paid agitator should be relegated to the outer limbo. The whole question was thoroughly set out, and the speeches were both interesting and intrinsically good. The judge, Mr. H. H. Ostler, L. L. B., an old member of the Society, made some complimentary remarks and the following award:—1st, F. Hall-Jones; 2nd. G. G. Watson; 3rd, W. McEldowney; 4th, Quilliam; 5th, A. Sievwright.