'VARSITY DEBATERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 166, 16 July 1931, Page 11

'VARSITY DEBATERS.

WIN FOR AMERICAN TEAM.

"MENACE OF IMPERIALISM."

DISCUSSION AT UNIVERSITY,

Superior appreciation and treatment of the subject, which embraced the field of Imperialism, gave the visiting Oregon University debaters victory over a second Auckland team, which they met at the Auckland University College last evening. The contest was the final of the Americans in New Zealand and signalised the visitors' seventh success in eight debates, their only defeat having been at the hands of another team representing the Auckland College the previous evening.

The local team, which consisted of Messrs. G. O. Adams, W. L. Barker and G. E. Rowc, was inclined to confuse the issue and restrict the views of Imperialism to its application within the British Empire. "That Imperialism is a Menace" was the subject of the debate, the affirmative of which was taken by the Americans, Messrs. D. G. Wilson, R. T. Miller and R. A. Pfaff. In introducing the speakers, the chairman, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, assured the visitors that iu their'treatment of the motion they need spare the feelings of the audience. The judges were Messrs. L. P. Leary, F. N. Ambler and W. J. Holdsworth, and their decision in favour of the Oregon team was unanimous. The opening speaker for the affirmative, Mr. Miller, said history showed that all the great nations of the world had engaged in the imperialistic movement and that practically all the wars in history had resulted from efforts toward Imperialism. They should treat the subject matter as world citizens and not as citizens of the United States 01 of the British Empire —from the international standpoint. One of the paramount aims of Imperialism, he argued, was to secure support in the case of a crisis or a war. It was based on an assumption of superiority, a belief that the people of a particular nation were a chosen people and bred an attitude of contempt—all of which could only result in war. All the nations of to-day weie "bitten by the same bug." Another basis for Imperialism was .economic self sufficiencv, with the idea of obtaining the markets of the world, and this could result only in great disaster. In conclusion, the speaker claimed that Imperialism was a menace to world peace and in the end would cause more war.

The Test of Results. The first Auckland speaker, Mr. Adams, emphasised the fact that the only test of Imperialism was the result that had attended its practical application. He dealt with the succe;that had attended European settlonifi.t in South Africa, where the. primitive habits of the natives had been diverted to more profitable channels, and the people were able to evolve 'culture ol: their own. The native was able to use his own institutions for his own development, and a sense of pride in his institutions was rapidly developing. The opponents of Imperialism said that in former days it promoted international suspicion, but the argument, had only partial' validity. A system of -imperialism ;3la'dv- now been evolved whereby individual''-nations were interested in assisting the well-being of those who were not able to stand up for themselves. There was to-day a strong tendency towards international co-opera-tion. Between the economic units of Europe and America there was the British Imperial unit, which allowed the existence of smaller units. Should the British unit and the economic partitions be torn asunder, in time the two remaining units would come into conflict. Thus it would be realised that the hope for world peace depended upon the continued strength and unity of Imperialism. Mr. Wilson drew attention to the evils which followed in the wake of civilisation, propelled by Imperialism. Colonists tore down racial standards and principles, and Imperialists were the worst enemies of democracy. India was an example of a .country that had had its native institutions blighted.

Mr. Barker, who replaced Mr. S. S. Hamilton at short notice, was the real merrymaker of. the evening, and was the target for a good deal of good-natured banter, which reached its height by the singing of "Rule Britannia" when the speaker struck a high Empire note. Imperialism, he declared, was attended with advantages which outweighed its defects. All Imperialism Condemned. Mr. Pfaff, in a fighting speech, condemned all Imperialism, mentioning particularly the Americans in Nicaragua, and contended that Imperialism was a vicious circle, which led to decay among nations. Mr. Rowe, the final Auckland speaker, maintained that Imperialism stood for hio-h ideals and trusteeship. Britain was impelled to the settlement of South Africa by force of necessity, and not by the greed of its capitalists. After Mr. Miller had replied, Mr. Leary announced that the visitors had won by 33 points. He congratulated the debaters on their arguments, and the audienco on its behaviour. Mr. Mackenzie said the proceeds fr.om the debate would be devoted to the Jubilee Institute for the Blind. He felt that the Americans would feel none the worse for the little lecturettes on the British Empire that had been given them. . , _ , , Messrs. Miller and Pfaff took the opportunity to express appreciation of the hearing that had been accorded tlnm and of the hospitality shown them in the Dominion.