DEBATING CONTEST

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23083, 7 July 1938, Page 16

DEBATING CONTEST

CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE PRESENT LEGISLATIVE TREND Arguments supporting or opposing the proposition "that the present trend of legislation in New Zealand is in the best interests of the individual" were advanced during a debate last night between teams representing the Auckland senior and junior Chambers of Commerce. The president of the senior chamber, Mr. A. Ely, presided over a good attendance.

The affirmative was taken by the junior chamber whoso speakers were Messrs. It. S. Woollams (leader), G. H. Benton and A. M. Lamont. Recent social and industrial legislation and the Government's projects for national superannuation and health insurance were quoted as factors tending to provide all that the individual wanted in life.

Opposition speakers were Messrs. A. A. Boss (leader). E. G. Baskett and Ij. D. Nathan, who stressed the point that if present conditions continued iScw Zealand would become a socialistic State. As an ideal, socialism appeared to be a very nleasant condition, but, it did not work out in practice and eventually became a dictatorship which spelt the end of individual freedom. The judge, Mr. L. P. Leary, gave the verdict in favour of tile affirmative. Out of a possible of 300 points he awarded the junior chamber 250 and the senior chamber 230. Mr. Benton was placed first of the individual speakers and Mr. Baskett and Mr. Lamont were bracketed in second place.