HIGH SCHOOLS’ DEBATE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 209, 18 August 1927, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOLS’ DEBATE

IMPERIAL FREE TRADE THE TOPIC,

NAPIER ADJUDGED THE WINNER.

The annual debate between the Palmerston North and Napier Bovs’ High Schools was held last evening in the new school hall, the subject being “Should there be Imperial Free Trade?” After the headmaster. Mr W. A. Armour, had welcomed the audience, the debate was commenced. Palmerston taking the affirmative and Napier the negative, Dr. Mcllwraith acting as judge. Mr M, Walker opened for Palmerston. who held that between British Free Trade and Colonial Protection there was a half-wav policy—Free Trade within the Empire. The Empire was wide enough and its resources great enough to support a Protectionist policy : it could be made self-sufficing if each part specialised on what it could do best. Mr M E Currie, on the negative side, considered that each part of the Empire should, to some extent, be self-supporting, and. if the Customs duties, were removed it would make the task of finance much more difficult. The varietv of conditions in the Empire made freedom of fiscal policy necessary Messrs A. de Vautier (Palmerston) and H. W. Turner (Napier) continued and amplified their leaders’ arguments, and the two opening speakers replied. In the judge’s remarks. Dr. McII wraith considered the boys had handlefl their subject excellently, the only criticism he wished to make being that they should try and develop a freer stvle with some gesture added. He gave his decision in favour of Napier as follows:—Stage presence. P. 14. N 15; voice. P. 15 N. 17; language. P. 15 N. 17; facts and agreements P. 17, N. 35: manner of presentation, P. 50. N. 52; renlv, P. LI. N. 15 Total P. 143. N 151 Mr Armour thanked Dr. Mcllwrailh for his acting as judge, and congratulated the winners. Refreshments were later provided