HIBERNIAN DEBATING CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22830, 14 March 1936, Page 11

HIBERNIAN DEBATING CLUB

A prepared debate was held in the rooms of the Dunedin Hibernian Social and Debating Club Manse street, on Monday evening last, the subject being, That the Increase in Soviet Industrialism \Vill Lead to a Return to Capitalism in Russia." The affirmative was taken by Messrs G. D. O'Connell (leader) and fa. 11. Jolly, and the negative by Messrs W. M'Alevey (leader) and N. E. Jolly. Mr L. Hanlon acted as judge. Mr O'Connell declared that capitalism was'the only stable state of society, i'he Russian people must inevitably revolt against being mere cogs in a State machine. The lack of skilled labour, combined with the need for finance, would inevitably lead Russia back to capitalMr M'Alevey sketched the progress of Communism in Russia, and maintained that production there was essentially on a co-operative basis. The Russian achievements in housing, agriculture, and the manufacturing industries had been attained without either private enterprise or exploitation of profit, both of which were the essence of capitalism. Mr G. 11. Jolly referred to the failure of the collective farm system. He said that the increase in industrialism had rendered the Soviet dependent on its external trade and therefore on capitalist countries. . . , , , Mr N. Jolly dealt with the elaborate system of costing and distribution emploved in Russian industry. This system had' proved efficacious in distributing the country's products, and there was no need to return to capitalism. After the leaders had replied, the subjeet was thrown open for discussion. Ihe sfibject had evidently proved interesting to the members, for many of them took tic opportunity of expressing their views. The judge (Mr L. Hanlon) said the debate, had been very interesting and had provided a close contest. He gave advice to all the speakers On many important aspects of public speaking, and said that in his opinion the negative side had won the debate.