JOYNT SCROLL DEBATE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 50, 27 August 1938, Page 16

JOYNT SCROLL DEBATE

WIN FOR OTAGO

JUDGES DISAPPOINTED

(Special to the "Evening Post.") FALMERSTON N., This Day. Otago University was victorious in the annual debate for the Joynt Scroll, which was contested at Massey Agricultural College yesterday afernoon and last evening by teanis representing Massey College and the other four colleges of the University of New Zealand. The scroll was won last year by Victoria University College. The subject in each case was the same: "That religion throughout the ages has been an obstacle to progress." The judges expressed regret that the speeches .did not reach the high stand-1 ard they had expected. All.of the speakers gave evidence of the preparation they had made for the occasion and the speeches covered a fairly wide field, most of the activities of the human race beings cited in turn as arguments for the respective sides. There was a good attendance of the. public at the evening session, which was presided over by Mr. A. P. Blair, president of the New Zealand University Students' Association. His place in the afternoon was taken by Mr. A. J. Gilmour, of Massey College. For the purpose of the contest Victoria University College entered two teams. The order of appearance was as follows, the affirmative being placed first in each case:—^Auckland University College v. Victoria University College B, Massey Agricultural College v. Otago University, Canterbury University College v. Victoria University College A". • ... , ; • ■ "In judging the debate ' we were judging speakers from the .university colleges of this Dominion;" said Mr. M. H. Oram in delivering the decision of the judges, "and we felt justified in demanding a very high standard indeed. We expected to find a standard of scholarship and research;, for facts and ability eloquently and forcefully to drive home those facts. I regret to say that the standard we hoped to see has not been achieved. We felt that the vast quantity of matter available had not been fully availed of by the speakers from any of the colleges, and we were struck by the lack of any | really eloquent and outstanding! speech. "Each speech gave evidence of careful preparation and careful delivery, but we were looking for that spark of eloquence which one is entitled to receive from a university speaker. We felt that the replies were not as strong. from a debating point of view as we had a right to expect, and throughout there was too - much reference to notes." \ ' The judges were Messrs. M. H. Oram, J. Murray, and the Rev. J. Hubbard, all of Palmerston North. Detailed marks were allotted as follows:— Otago University, Mr. M. G. O'Callaghan: Matter (maximum 40) 33, method (maximum 25) 20, manner (maximum 35) 25, total 78. Mr. S. W. P. Mirams: Matter 30, method 15, manner 20, total 68. Treatment by both ■speakers (maximum 50) 35, reply (maximum 25) 17, grand total 198. Victoria University College A, Mr. J. B. Aimers: Matter 32, method 20, manner 22, total 74. Mr. N. A. Morrison: Matter 31,; method 19, manner 17, total 67. Treatment by both speakers 35, reply 17, grand total 193.

Auckland University College, Miss D. Fowler: Matter 26, method, 14, manner 22, total 62. Mr. P. Day. Matter 28, method 16, manner 20, tot^J 64. Treatment by both speakers 30;: reply 18/ grand total 174. '

Victoria University College B, Mr. A.L. McCulloch: Matter 26, method 14, manner 21, total 61. Mr. C. A. Myers: Matter 30, method 15, manner 18, total 63. Treatment by both speakers 25, reply 12, grand total 161.

Canterbury University College, Mr. R. Hurst: Matter 22, method 16, manner 16, total 54. Mr. J. S. Eumbold: Matter 29, method 19, manner 17, total 65. Treatment by both speakers 25, reply 13, grand total 157.

Massey Agricultural College, Mr. D. M. Smith: Matter 28, method 17, manner 22, total 67. Mr. R. D. Bamford: Matter 20, method 12, manner 18, total 50. Treatment by both speakers 20, reply 14, grand total 151.