COLLEGE DEBATES

Evening Star, Issue 18050, 18 August 1922, Page 8

COLLEGE DEBATES

LIVELY INTERLUDE IN THE HOUSE. [From Our Parliamentary Reporter.]

WELLINGTON, August 17. “It’s a lie, a deliberate lie,” shouted Mr Fraser (Wellington Central) across the floor of the House to-day when Mr Potter put an urgent question to tho Minister of Education relating to subjects which had been debated by the Victoria College Students’ Debating Society. In one debate. said Mr Potter, the Press reports showed that the students by a large majority had condemned tho use of tho British Flag and tho oath of allegiance as symbols of patriotism. “In another debate,” he continued, “the Debating Club was invited to tho University to take part in a discussion on 'Socialism. Mr Peter Fraser. M.P.. and a well-known Communist and Bolshevik ” It was at this point Mr Fraser made the heated interruption, and was promptly asked by Mr Speaker to withdraw. Mr Fraser’s retort was again heated. “ I want a 1 Standing Order,” lie said, “ to compel Hare to tell the truth.” Amid loud shouts of “Order,” Mr Speaker was ■heard to instruct Mr Fraser to observe the rules of debate, and the member said ho would, in deference to the Ohair, withdraw his offending utterance. Mr Potter then completed his question, which showed that the reference to a wellknown Communist was to T. Brindle, who. he said, was convicted of seditious utterances in 1317. Mr Potter wanted to know whether tho teaching at this University was responsible for the extraordinary opinion of the students, which offended the bulk of the community, and whether, if young teachers wore being there trained, if the Minister considered this tho be/, training ground for them. "I am afraid,” replied the Hon. Mr Parr, “that I am unable to give an opinion about tho University Debating (Society, nor to account for the source of their opinions.” . Mr Holland: You won't start a heresy hunt Mr Parr: “No doubt the opinions of the Debating Club are a source of great gratification to the member for Buller, but whether they are to the rest of the community is open to question.” Ho added that the control of Victoria College was vested in the College Council, and lie believed tho supervision of debates was hugely in the hands of the Professorial Board. So long as the Debating Chub kept within the four comers of the law he saw no reason why he could interfere. Labor Members; Hear, hear. Mr Parr: The matter is really out of my jurisdiction. Mr Holland: Hand it over to the Welfare League. Mr Parr concluded by pointing out that Victoria College was maintained by annual grant from Parliament, and when this came up for approval it was open to discuss the conduct of the University. Mr Holland asked Mr Speaker whether it was in order for any member to use the forms of Parliament to put statements into a question which had absolutely no foundation in truth, and which affected the reputation of reputable citizens outside Parliament. Mr Speaker replied that members in putting questions were expected to keep within the Standing Orders, and*, their qustions should bo correct in every detail. Mr Fraser: Hear, hear. Quite satisfactory.