page 39

Joynt Scroll Contest

The divorce of this annual debating contest from the "purely athletic" tournament on the grounds of habitual drunkenness and cruelty, and general incompatability of temperament, is a greater slur on the tournament than is generally realised; but it will apparently be beneficial to the much-abused contest. Never for many years (perhaps never before) had the contest been conducted in such calm as on the 9th August, when representatives of the four Colleges debated "That Labour Government has been beneficial in the various parts of the Empire where it has operated." Interjections were plentiful, but there was no organised riot, for which last be praise given to Allah. The contest was arranged by the National Union of Students and conducted by its Debating Committee in Wellington, which must be congratulated on the success of the arrangements. It would have been more encouraging to have seen a larger audience, but there were many other attractions on the same night. The attentiveness and hearty encouragement of those present, however, made up for the lack of numbers.

His Worship the Mayor added the attractiveness of his cheery smile to the proceedings and presided as Chairman.

The first debate was between Canterbury and Otego. Miss West-Watson and Mr. Perry for Canterbury supported the motion and Messrs. Russell and Tuckwell for Otago opposed. In the second debate Miss Forde and Mr. Hurley represented Victoria in the affirmative, and Messrs. Griffiths and Melvin Auckland in opposition. Cards showing the number of minutes taken were operated from the Orchestral Stalls, and owing to this method and extremely prompt action from the Chair a strict schedule was adhered to, each speaker having 15 minutes in which to speak.

A recapitulation of all the arguments put forward would become repetition, each speaker for affirmative or negative expressing much the same views in support of his or her case. With the exception of Mr. Melvin and Mr. Hurley, most of the speakers dealt in generalities, and these two speakers touched on the more matter of fact issues and used examples, figures, and references much more freely and confidently. Of our own speakers, Miss Forde's case appeared to be rather a justification for the existence of Labour Parties than a vindication of their actions, but Mr. Hurley dealt with facts with precision and energy. Mr. Melvin, who had perhaps some advantage in speaking last, contributed undoubtedly the best debating speech of the evening, authoritative, convincing and forceful. Auckland must be congratulated on possessing a debater of his calibre. His leader, Mr. Griffiths, dealt more quietly with his subject, and much of his subtle humour appeared lost on the audience.

The judges deliberated for an unconscionable time, and the Debating Committee of the N.U.S. must feel greatly indebted to Miss Cooley, who gave several most enjoyable recitations. The Chairman also helped by putting in the hiatus the dots of an amusing experience among American Rotarians. Then, after a long silence, the Chairman asked some of the infant department of the University, who had been freely interjecting page 40 from the back seats, to sing, but whether from an unusual feeling of modesty, or sore throats, they sat in stupefied silence—at this juncture hardly a helpful contribution. One would never have thought that the owners of such lusty lungs would be unwilling to use them, but doubtless it was not much encouragement to them to know that people were willing to listen.

The evening's interjections numbered some few witty sallies, but more often remarks which threw no light upon anything save the contents of the interjectors' heads. After all, it is easy to shout "Rot," "Rubbibsh" and "Balderdash," or make a noise like some dinosaurian monster snorting over its meat, but neither course seems particularly intelligent.

What promised to be an awkward silence was broken by the return of the judges, Mr. J. A. Young, M.P., Canon P. James, and Mr. H. F. O'Leary, who announced that by unanimous decision Auckland had been awarded the Shield and Mr. Melvin adjudged the best speaker. The Shield was then presented to the Auckland team, Mr. Melvin giving thanks in a brief and happy speech. A vote of thanks to the Chair, the singing (sic) of the National Anthem, an empty hall, and the contest was history. Congratulations to all speakers and good luck to the Auckland team; it was a good, energetic, sporting contest. May we see many more such.

— H.R.B.