DEBATING SOCIETIES.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 551, 5 July 1909, Page 7

DEBATING SOCIETIES.

On Saturday evening the members /of • the Victoria College Debating Society met to discuss the motion/ "That, the Celtic ■ element in our: poetical literature is of greater-value than the Teutonic." Sir. Allan MacDougall, M.A., seconded by Mr. J. W. Ross, M.A., moved the motion, while Mr.' "C. H. Taylor, 8.A., seconded by Mr. H. D. Skinner, opposed. An intoresting debate resulted, thirteen members, two of whom were ladies, taking part. Mr. J. W- Joynt, M.A., who judged, gave a\scholarly ?Jid • instructive criticism of the argument in the debate, placing, the five best speakers in the following order, for the purpose of the union prizo:—Ji Ogg,.C. H!.Taylor, Ji W. Ross. Miss N. Coad, and fl. D. Skinner. At the next meeting of the society, to be held on July 17, the motion for discussion is, "That a lawyer is not, a greater humanitarian than a doctor." This debate will 'not . be a "regular" debate within thi meaning of. ; the society's rules. • "That the present- stale of international affairs renders it imperative for. New, Zealand to adopt compulsory military trainiiig,". was the motion for debate between St. John's- and Larori' Clubs- last .Friday-' evenipg.,; :i .;,Karori a£srmed, beins; represented by Messrs. Jordan, .Cathie, andlHnrsthodse, speaking ih .ihe order named. - St., John's' negatived, ' being,; represented bv Messrs. Galloway, Douglas; aiid Newberry. Karori argued that -international;affairs 'were in such, a state that war was imminerit in the hot far-distant future,- and that New Zealand would have to rely on her own resources for defence. St. John' 6 endeavoured to maintain 1 that New Zealand would, have to indulge in guerilla warfare in case.of invasion, and that sea Power was necessary to resist an attack from a powerful foe. Mr. D. M. Finlay, tho judfje, impressod upon Hie debaters the desirability of manner and persuasiveness.