EX-COMMERCE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21985, 21 June 1933, Page 11

EX-COMMERCE STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL DEBATE The annual debate of the Ex-Commerce Students’ Association was held last evening in-the University Club, the subject of discussion being “ That a Dictatorship would be preferable to Democratic Government as represented by the Present Party System." Mr W. MTnnes, speaking for the affirmative, referred to the necessity of dictatorships throughout history at all times of stress and danger, and instanced such examples of successful dictatorship as Italy and Turkey, and then proceeded to a discussion of the evils of party government which invariably arose as a result of a lack of real statesmen. The party system was democracy at its worst, and the practice of appointing national representatives by popular vote did not result in the election of the best men. Mr It. H. Dear admitted the necessity for a dictatorship in times of trouble and considered that when the stressful, days were passed the dictatorship should cease. It could not be allowed to continue in normal times because of the suspicion, distrust, treachery, and secrecy it engendered. Cromwell rectified the wrongs resulting from the rule of a weak king by just such a method, but the British people were very glad to get back to constitutional methods at the first opportunity. Great cruelties were wrought under absolute government of the dictator type and the people were brought into subjection, as in the case of Italy, where freedom of thought and speech was impossible because no one knew who could be trusted. Mr R, J. Cook was the second speaker for the affirmative, and Mr W. S. Gilkison supported Mr Dear On the negative side, and after the leaders had replied the judge (Mr 6, T. Baylec) summed up thp arguments put forward and discussed the relative merits of the speakers. He gave his decision in favour of the affirmative and-placed Mr W. MTnnes first of the speakers. Mr Cook filled second place. A hearty vote of thanks was tendered to Mr Baylee for his work as judge.