INTER-’VARSITY DEBATE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 178, 22 April 1924, Page 11

INTER-’VARSITY DEBATE

A WIN FOR OTAGO P. MARTIN-SMITH ADJUDGED BEST DEBATER The inter-university debate was hold in tho Town Hall last evening, the suoject being “Is Modern Journalism a Menace to Democracy i"' There was a largo attendance of the public, and students of the four colleges' were present in force, and made their pretence felt during the evening. Tho Mayor (Mr. 11. A. VV right, M.P.) presided, and. tho judges were fair John i’indlay, Dr. i’. li. Buck, and Mr. H. H. Ostler.

Mr. A. C. Brassington (Canterbury), in opening for the affirmative, declared unhesitatingly that modern journalism was not only a menace io democracy, but to good government throughout tho world. The public had in tho modern Press created a force which i.t could not control. Journalism had. been called tho fourth estate, but as a matter of fact the Press had absorbed the other three, and was now the most potent force in modern democracy. Mr. S. Black (Auckland), in tailing the negative, said tho desire of peoples to communicate with each other had brought the Press into existence. Ho admitted that the Press was imperfect, but said that was because it was written for an imperfect democracy. 'The Press and) democracy had a common aim as they had a common origin. Mr. H. E. Field (Canterbury), in supporting tho affirmative, contended that modern journalism tended to appeal more to irrational forces than to reason.

Mr. A. D. Thomson (Auckland), seconding tho negative, said that journalism could not go ahead of tho 'times, hut must keep abreast of them. In a democratic country the Press the greatest power for democracy. The Press had been and still was tho champion of reform. Mr. It, M. Campbell (Victoria College) quoted tho advico of a Prime Minister of Australia, who had declared that the first duty of every sane man was to disbelieve tho Press. Mr. 0. B. Barraclough (Otago) said that democracy owed its very existence to the modem Press. Mr. P. Martin-Smith (Victoria College). assorted that the policy of the modern Press was dictated by its advertisers, whoso first demand was tiiat their wares must not be criticised. Miss N. Todhunter (Otago) said that if modern journalism had the money taint it certainly erred in good company, as tho same charge had been levelled against tho theatre and the Church. Modern journalism had stood for democracy, and was to-day furthering democracy; it was making the world safe for democracy. The judges placed tho colleges in the following order: Otago, 1; Victoria College. 2; Auckland and Canterbury, equal 3. Mr. P- Martin-Smith, of Victoria College, was adjudged the best debater.