BRITISH DEBATERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12422, 16 April 1926, Page 4

BRITISH DEBATERS

FIRST CONTEST LAST NIGHT A FAVOURABLE IMPRESSION. The Town Hair was well filled last evening on tl,re occasion of the opening debate between the members of the visiting British universities' debating team and representatives of Victoria College. Tho motion discussed was: “That this House views with concern the present tendencies toward the disruption of the Empire.” Speakers on behalf of the affirmative side wore Me.ssrs A. H. E. Molson (Oxford). T. P. McDonald (Edinburgh), and A. E. Hurley (V.TLC.). The negative side was supported "by Messrs J. W. G. Davidson (V.U.0.), Paul Reed (London)* and P Martin-Smith (V.U.C.). The visiting speakers, contrary to their experience in tho south, found nn exceptionally quiet audience, and interjections were few and far between. The opening speaker, Mr Molson, created a very favourable impression by his clrar cut exposition of the case. Mr Paul Reed, of London University, delighted tho audience by his humour ? indeed, tlie ouiet, almost conversational manner of the visiting students, and the amount of humour they introduced into their speeches, were in contrast to the carefully-prenared. somewhat heavy deliveries the local men. During the course of the debate, the chnirrann announced that Mr Mason I was leading in the Eden election by a majority of 400 votes. The announcement was received with loud applause and some cheering, and the chairman mentioned that the Labour candidate is a graduate of Victoria College ancl a one-timo distinguished member of the College Debating Society. At the conclusion of the debate, the motion was submitted to the vote of the audience bv a paper ballot, ancl was rejected by 295 votes to 284. Tlie final debate ivill take place on Saturday evening, Ayil 17th, when the subject for discussion will be: ,r Thnt the National System of Education should include definite provision for Religious Instruction.”