UNIVERSITY DEBATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15885, 5 April 1915, Page 7

UNIVERSITY DEBATE.

VICTORIA COLLEGE WINS.

AUCKLAND PLACED SECOND.

INTERESTING CONTEST.

The debating contest in connection with the New Zealand University tournament was held in the concert chamber of the Town Hall on Saturday evening. The chair was taken by Mr. F. W. Lang, M.l\, and there was a large attendance. Many amusing interludes were provided by the students.

Last year the winners of the debating challenge scroll, presented by Mr. J. W. JoyJit,M.A., representative at London oi the University of New Zealand, were Victoria College, and on Saturday the representatives of that institution again established their supremacy in debate. The subject selected this year was " Should the principle of an elective executive bo substituted for tho system of ! party government at present obtaining in New Zealand'/" The judges were Dr. W. C. W. McDowell, Mr. H. 0. Cousins, M.A., and the' Rev. 1. Jolly, M.A. 'I lie speakers, who were limited to 15 minutes each were as follows Canterbury: .Messrs. A. 0. Ponder, 8.A., and H. (!. Hell, 13.A. Auckland : Messrs. R. £. D. Kuilock and L. Phillips. Y ictoria College: Messrs. L. M. Moss, 8.A., and L. I'. Leary. Utago: Messrs. J. Johnson, 8.A., and C. L. Bennett. Mr. Ponder (affirmative), who opened for Canterbury College, attacked the party system on the ground that it excluded from the Cabinet men s.pvciallv fitted for Ministerial officii. Mr. R. E. 1). Kinlock (Auckland) said that to change to the system of an elective executive was inexpedient and unnecessary. The present system ensured a continuity of policy and stability of Government which the elective executive would not give. Mr. Bell (Canterbury) contended that the elective executive, founded on a scientific principle, ensured administration "which was fearless and firm. Mr. Phillips (Auckland) said tho elimination of party would not follow upon the adoption of the elective executive system. The second debate was opened in the affirmative by Mr. Moss (Victoria College), who said the party system, when called upon in a national crisis, inevitably broko down. Mr. J. Johnson (Otago) contended that parties were necessary to put legislation through the House. Mr. Leary (Victoria College) said public moneys were freely used to keep a party in office, and Governments too often entrenched themselves behind vested inter est a. Mr. C. L. Bennett (Otago) said that under the present system half the members of Parliament did the business of the country, while the other half saw that it was well done. Tho judges announced their decision after a retirement of a quarter of an hour. The debating teams were very close, said Dr. McDowell, but the judges had como to tho united conclusion that Victoria College won its debate. Further, they had no doubt but that Auckland had also won its debate. ''We came to the conclusion," he proceeded, "that Victoria College was undoubtedly far ahead in order of merit for the two debates. Victoria College is therefore placed first and Auckland second. The chief difficulty of the judges was in regard to Canterbury College and Otago. They were practicably equal, but we finally decided to place' Canterbury before Otago. We desire to congratulate all who took part in the debate upon the interesting way in which they handled their subject." (Applause).