DEBATING SOCIETY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1076, 24 July 1924, Page 2

DEBATING SOCIETY.

INFLUENCE OF TRADE UNIONISM. A debate of more than usual interest was held in the museum hall last night, when the Palmerston North Debating Society’s representatives affirmed: "That trade unions were, on tho whole, against the best interests of the community.” They were opposed by the law clerks. Mr Mr A. J.‘McLeavy occupied the chair, and Mr J. A. Colquhoun acted as judge and critic. Mr' A. D. Campbell, seconded by Mr G. IV.' Spencer, upheld the affirmative, and Mr M. Niccol, supported by Mr C. Goldfinch, opposed the motion. Mr Campbell, in opening the debate, gave a definition of the term “trade union” and spoke briefly on its origin in the fifteenth century. He contended that trade unions had defeated their own end?, due largely, to extremists, and to tho fart that many men in the union strove for their own aggrandisement instead of for the general welfare of the community. The speaker argued that most of the pre-sent-day strife was directly traceable to strikes and other trade union disturbances, and that it was invariably the women and children who suffered.

The leader of the negative took the "union is strength” lino of argument, and pointed out that a trade union was a necessary concession for the labouring class. Mr Niccol enunciated the hard times that befell the working men and apprentices before the advent of trade unions. The speaker challenged the statement of the leader of the affirmative that trade unions bred unskilled labour, and be brought good evidence to prove the contrary. Ho contended that trade unions had justified their existence and their continuance, and that they were not onlj- for Ihe protection of the labouring class bit that they were publfe benefactors. After Jiirther speeches had been made in support of t!m“leaders bv Mr Spencer and Mr Goldfinch, a general discussion took place,

The judge gave the affirmative side the victory by a narrow margin,