THE JOYNT SCROLL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22324, 26 July 1934, Page 6

THE JOYNT SCROLL

HSFTERUNIVERSITY DEBATE WON BY OTAGO Otago was awarded first place in the interuniversity debate for the Joynt Scroll, which was held in the Concert Chamber last night. The scroll was presented by Mr J. W. Joynt, a former registrar of the University of New Zealand, and the contest takes place each year between the four constituent colleges. The judges on this occasion were Dean Cruickshank, Mr J. M. Paterson, and Mr P. S. Anderson, and the subject chosen was: "That it would be in the Best Interests of the British Empire to Enter Into an Alliance with Japan." The presi dent of the New Zealand University Students' Association (Mr M. Joel) presided over an audience which included a very small proportion of students. CANTERBURY v.' AUCKLAND.

The first debate between Canterbury and Auckland scarcely reached expectations. The speakers were slow to settle down to their subject, and they showed a. little hesitancy, besides failing to observe a proper sequence in their arguments. The affirmative was taken by Canterbury College, which was represented by Mr C. F. Hart and" Mr W. Wah, and the negative by Auckland, the speakers for which were Miss E. Johnston and Mr W. Heerdegan. Mr Hart, in opening for the affirmative, said that the "best interests" of the Empire were security, which amounted to world peace, and economic prosperity. These were ideals which were often regarded as mere catch-cries, but so far as the Pacific was concerned those ideals could be realised. The alliance proposed was defensive, and it would be the stroneest alliance that it would be possible to effect in the world at the present time. Mr Hart argued that the Imperialist policy of Japan would be no bar to such an alliance. Actually there were at work in Japan radical forces which were being held in check. Japan at present was isolated through fear, which an alliance with Britain would remove. Its purpose would be peace, which would undoubtedly be in the best interests of the Empire. Miss Johnston contended that"lf > she were in alliance with Japan Great Britain could not escape being dragged into possible wars in which Japan might be concerned. Japan's desire for expansion had not been satiated, and it would certainly not be in the interests of world peace if Britain allied herself to a nation which might become involved in a war with the United States. Such an alliance, while the League of Nations existed, would be a childish return to the old idea of the balance of power. ■• Mr Wah denied that Japan desired to expand. Though she had taken Formosa and Manchuria from China she had never colonised those areas. What she desired was expansion of her trade. America had no desire to attack Japan, for the United States had large trade interests there. Japan was also an important buyer of British products, and an alliance would foster this trade. Britain furthermore could break down the feeling of distrust between Russia and Japan, and a diveraion of cheap Japanese good to the Russian market would be to the advanage of the Empire. „■,.';' . Mr Heerdegan denied that Britain and Japan' had any common interests ■ that would form the basis of such an alliance. \ Customs alliance, he argued, would be impossible because of the different economic conditions in the nations involved. He stressed the dantrer of incurring the nnimositv of the United States, whose friendship with Great Britain was the greatest safeguard of peace. OTAGO v. VICTORIA. A considerably higher standard of eloquence was reached in the debate between Otago and Victoria College (Wellington). The speakers appeared more, at home on the platform, and their arguments were more clearly developed than in the first contest. Otago, which took the tive, was represented by Mr J._S. D. More and Mr W. J. Meade, and Wellington by Mr Kingi Tahiwi and Mr R. Larkin. . , , , , Mr More contended that the best Interests of the Empire were the protection of her boundaries and the fostering of her trade. An alliance with Japan would form the greatest protection to Britain s possessions in the Pacific and, indeed, would give the best assurance of peace among the nations of the Pacific. It would enable trade to develop in an atmosphere of political security. Peace secured by alliances was preferable to a peace which existed through the threat of armaments, and an alliance between Japan and the Empire would also serve to break down racial prejudices. ' Mr Tahiwi argued that history showed that an alliance of the type under discussion could not be effective. Japan aimed at control in China, which was of great value to her as a consumer of her exports, but this was totally opposed to British foreign policy. Economic strife would, he held, result from an alliance between any two nations, for counteralliances would inevitably be formed. Peace would best be achieved through the League of Nations. i Mr Meade held that an alliance with Japan was essential in the interests of British industry. While Japan had the advantages of cheap labour and a plentiful supply of electric power she lacked raw materials and could not supply sufficient food for her people. On the other hand, the British Empire, was so rich in national products that she could, if necessary, feed and clothe the whole world. Britain could either meet Japan in economic war or by a trade agreement. Japan's desire for expansion would be curbed by an agreement that would enable her to develop her industries and would assure her of ample supplies of food. , ... Mr Larkin said that a previous AngloJapanese alliance had expired in 1921. If it were the glittering prize of-diplo-macy, why had it not been renewed? Such an alliance, he stated, would conflict with the best interests of the Empire—which were cohesion and international peace. A common purpose, which was essential to any alliance, was lacking between Britain and Japan. Britain was a supporter of the League of Nations, which aimed at arming the law. Japan's policy was one of arming the litigant. Alliances were a poor substitute for peace through the League. JUDGES' AWARDS. Dean Cruickshanks, in announcing the awards, stated that the excellence of the debates, particularly the latter, had been so great that the judges had had great difficulty in reaching a decision. JTlie placings were as follows: — Otago 1 Victoria 2 Canterbury 3 Auckland • • 4 The competitors were placed as follows: Mr Meade (Otago) 1 Mr Larkin (Victoria) .... 2 Mr More (Otago) and Mr Tahiwi (Victoria), equal .. 3 The scroll was presented to the Otago team by the chancellor of the University of Otago (Mr W- J. Morrell). who stated that he felt sure that the donor would have been pleased to hear such debates as the competitors had provided. „ During the evening items were contributed by an instrumental trio consisting of Alice Wilson (piano), Miss Nancy HobPon (violin), and Mr M. Bartrum ('cello), and by Mr D. Mlnncs, who sang three numbers.