COLLEGE DEBATE

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 282, 25 August 1931, Page 2

COLLEGE DEBATE

St. Patrick’s and St. Bede’s VISITING TEAM BEATEN St. Patrick’s College, Silverstream. was victorious in the debate with St. Bede’s, Christchurch, for the Kennedy Cup, last Saturday night. The subject was:,“That free trade within the Empire, together with a tariff barrier against those outside the Empire, is desirable." St. Patrick's took the affirmative, and St. Bede’s the negative. Mr. W. Perry was the chairman. . “My decision is not given to the side which has produced the arguments wherein lies the truth of the matter, but to the side which has marshalled its arguments in the most convincing way,” said Professor Cornish,, of Victoria University, in giving his judgment. -He considered that St. Patrick’s team was more convincing and impressive than St. Bede’s. Each team was well versed in facts, and there was very little to pick and choose between them.

Opening the debate for St. Patrick’s, E. 11. Morgan said that as partial protection was a success, complete protection would also be successful. In proportion, more goods were imported from Great Britain by the colonies than by any other country, and by free trade within the Empire, and a protective barrier against countries outside, they could check dumping and oust America from the domination of trade. „ „ „ For St. Bede s, F. C. K. Foster argued that Canada, owing to her geographical situation, could not flourish on free trade. As an example, under free trade Canada ■would have to get her coal from Great Britain instead of from America, which would mean increased cost of production; and there would be no relief of the trade crisis until this was lessened.

P. Higgins (St.. Patrick’s) said that Britain’s trade had improved because of the start she had in the industrial world. The Empire could, be self-supporting because she had colonies scattered throughout the world, and in different climates; and therefore could produce any article. P. J. Bird (St. Patrick’s) said that Russia - uumped her goods anywhere there was free trade, and, in consequence, manufacturers had only two courses to adopt, both undesirable. They had either to cease activities or to reduce •wages. H. J. Hayward (St. Bede’s) said that international credit made trade possible, and that American money had forced its way into the colonies. The oratorical contest for the shield presented by tho Very Rev. Father O'Connell was won by P. Higgins, of St.' Patrick’s College. He chose as his subject “St. Francis of Assisi.” F. C. K. Foster, of St. Bede’s, spoke on “Lloyd George,'* and P. J, Bird, of St. Patrick’s, chose "Lord Nelson.” _

In giving his judgment, Mr. P. Rollings said that there wus.no better time to start public speaking than when one was at a secondary school. The rector, Rev. Father J. Dowling, S.M., M.A., in passing a vote of thanks to the judges, said that they were fortunate in obtaining such qualified judges. Supper was provided for the visitors in .the dining hall, and a dance was afterwards given in the assembly hall.