THE DEBATING CONTEST.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13693, 29 March 1910, Page 9

THE DEBATING CONTEST.

A fairly large audience assembled in the Choral Hall last night, when the ninth debating contest in connection ■with the inter-collegiate tournament

teok Dtec Professor Blunt V™*****' down tor i::scu e sioa wbj,— in« l " truinm- and education pro ed oy each a"University as ours fc "J best iyrepawtion for a commercial or industrial career. ' T!ie represe utatives or Canterbuo (.Mes-rs JUanna and (Jiteon), ami Auckland (Messrs Algie and Marshall, sunnorted the motion, while those oi Victoria College (Messrs Omni and Hojjben) ami Otasro (Messrs lkbinson and Ha*lett) opposed it. Mr Hanna (Canterbury) in opening thfl debate, dwelt on the growth or technical education, and especially the recent advent of courses in commerce, «ml then went on to show how the New Zealand University was adapted, or was adr.jrting itself, to provide fu'ly for fitting a man to take his place in the industrial and commercial •jjorld Mr Oram ? who opened for \ ictorJa College, while admittinji that the l-ni-versity should furnish the requisite training, denied that it did do so. The speaker pointed oat the absolute lack of scientific investigation, and also of specialisation.

In replying to Mr Oram. Mr Gibson (Canterbury) went a considera,ble distance afield, but contended that the broader outlook of a university-train-ed man must make him more efficient in business cffairs.

The first part of the de-bate was closed l>y Mr Hogben (Victoria Colle;;o). who made a very practical r.yjech, showing the weaknesses of our present educational system. He very ably supported Mr Oram, end emphasised three facts—the lack of scientific training, the absence of practical utility, and the need for special teaching.

Tlip representatives of the other two colleges then took the platform, Mr Marshall (Auckland) opening in the affirmative. The greater part of the .speaker's time was occupied in dealing with the question from an abstract point of view, but in a quiet way he advanced many cogent arguments.

Otago's first representative, lilr Robinson, asked if the University really provided the best training for a commercial career, why did not the business men insist on their sons attending it? Unlike the Wellington representatives, Mr Robinson denied that a university, with its academic surroundings, was tho place for a business training. Mr Algio, of Auckland, made a fighting speech, which dealt vigorously with his opponents', and fairly bristled with classic quotations. His appeal was based on broad lines, and was evidently very well prepared. He concluded by placing before. the opposers, four propositions, "any and all of which must bo absolutely refuted before we will acknowledge defeat."

-Mr Haslett (Otago), who followed, was not the speaker to deal with Mr Algio's arguments. However, he showed a good grasp of commercial technicalities, and he also denied that commercial education could be properly taught in a university.

Mr Mulgan, in announcing tho unanimous decision of the judges, expressed pleasure at the manner in which the subject had been handled. The judges felt that it would not be ■wise, at that time, to criticiso the various speakers, but ho desired to comment favourably on the .matter produced and the methods of presenting it. The Auckland representatives were awarded the Shield, with Otago as run-uers-up. The award was received with cheers, and was evidently an extremely popular one.

To-day tho tennis tournament will be concluded on the Avonside" courts, and in the evening the annual university ball will bo held