STUDENTS MAKE MERRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19302, 15 April 1926, Page 10

STUDENTS MAKE MERRY.

HUMOUR DURING A DEBATE. I ' A BOUQUET OF VEGETABLES. " RAGGING " ENGLISH VISITORS. [by telegraph.—own correspondent.] CHRISTCHURCH. Wednesday. The Canterbury College students, or a section of them at least, were in better form at the debate with the overseas university men on Tuesday evening, and those of the audience who went there to be amused were not disappointed. 'ihe subject for debate was, "That this House views with concern the present tendencies toward disruption within the Empire," and the debate was in co-opera-tion with the members of the Imperial mission. Professor J. MacMillau Brown was chairman.

The students in the gallery got busy on their "ragging" as soon as the debate commenced, and Mr. H. E. Molson (Oxford) received a bouquet of carrots, which he accepted as gracefully as any prima donna. The speaker stressed the danger nf disruption in the Empire. Ihe larger Dominions had grown from colonies and they would grow into independent States in time. As he intimated that he was coming to his conclusion there was a chorus of "On the home stretch" and prolonged cheers. Loud snores came from the gallery and the question, "Is Dr. Brown asleep ?" received the loud answer, "Yes."

Mr. R. May roso to open for the negative, but ho could not speak until the students had finished their chorus (accompanied on the mouth organ) of "John Brown's Body." Mr. May said that when a real crisis came the Colonies were ready to spring to the aid of the Homeland. Tho Colonics and tho Motherland would have to see more of each other's viewpoints by rubbing shoulders. , A Voice: We rub noses in New Zealand. A Shower ol Carrots. Mr. Brassington (Canterbury) was greeted not with a bouquet of vegetables but by a shower of carrots and cabbages, lie said that unless the Dominions were held by Britain the Empire Would crumble into dust. A sonorous and mournful voice: Dust to dust; ashes to ashes. The speaker went on to say that the Colonies did not view the condition with enough seriousness. Time and distance — "Lend enchantment to tho view," came a voice from the gallery. At the conclusion of Mr. Brassington's speech tho chairman rose and said: "It will be necessary to stop this debate unless—•

Nothing more of his remarks could bo heard for the cheers and catcalls, and the chairman called on Mr. Haslam to speak. In the course of his address he referred to tho Irish situation, and a rich brogue voice from the gallery called: "We want justice to ould Ireland." Mr. T. P. McDonald (Edinburgh) was hailed with cries of "Hae ye got your haggis wi yp. ?" He said: "Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen (looking toward the gallery),—l have some few pearls to cast." The students applauded the ready wit, which,-had scored at their .expense, y . Speaker Scores Off Students. Mr. McDonald's speech was considerably interrupted by allusions to Scotsmen, but his hearty laugh indicated that he rather enjoyed tho "ragging" and. th 6 opportunities to score off his opponents in the gallery. Mr. Paul Reed (London) said that hi 3 opponents were taking the Empire too seriously. Their attitude toward it should be that of .the woman in. regard to clothes —interested in the subject, but not completely wrapped up in it. In asking Dr. Chas. Chilton to move a vote of thanks to the team, Dr. MacMillan Brown mado further reference to the "ragging' that had been going on, but over tho cheering and applause of the students one of tho few words heard was "bear garden." Dr. Chilton regretted that the audiences on both nights had been so deficient in numbers. Ho regretted also that a certain section last night was so deficient in common sense and good taste as to behave as they had dono in tho presence of gentlemen. He hoped that when they were older thy would regret this behaviour. (During the latter part of the speech a bunch of carrots had been swaying perilously low over the chairman's head.) Tho vote of thanks was carried by acclamation.

In reply, Mr. Molson said that the team had greatly enjoyed their stay, and as foi the "ragging," well they were students themselves.