VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATING SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 95, 22 April 1912, Page 2

VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATING SOCIETY

At the Social Hall, Victoria College, a debate was held on Saturday night on the motion, "That the present policy of giving free secondary education to all is unsound*" Mr. A. E. Caddick, M.A., who moved, was seconded by Mi". R. Quilliam, whilst Mr. P. Broad, seconded by Mr. Treadwell, opposed. The movers contended that the present system was far too wide in its operation. It was quite true that many children of poorer parents had a right to assistance from the State, but that could be provided for by a liberal system of scholarships. At present those who were unfitted for secondary education not only received tuition which unfitted them in the pursuit of their vocation, but, by absorbing too much the attention of the teachers, lowered the standard of instruction. The opposers held that the nttitudn of the movers amounted to "help the clever boy, discourage the dullard-" It was of the utmost importance to the State that all its members should be as enlightened as possible, ljpt only from the point of view of public safety, but on account of a more positive gain in a higher level of civilisation. . , R . „i (^ h The debate was: characterised by an animated discussion, and Mr. G. Hogben, M.A., who judged, placed the best speakers in the .. following order : 1. G. G. Watson j '2. $..' Stevenson and F. , Hall Jones (equal) ; 3. A. Caddick and G. W. Morioe (equal). The next debate will be held on Saturday evening, 4th May, when the merits and demerits of the party system will be discussed.