DEBATING

Southland Times, Issue 20538, 14 July 1928, Page 12

DEBATING

THE BAPTIST SOCIETY. A most enjoyable evening was spent on Wednesday by the Baptist Literary and Debating Society, when the following subject was debated: “That the present railways of New Zealand would be more profitable if privately owned.” Mr H. Schroeder acted as chairman. The speakers for the affirmative were Mr R. Wise, L. Currie, E. Robinson. Negative, Mr A. Clifford, E. Currie, J. Schroeder. The debate was opened by Mr Wise, who spoke in support of privately-owned railways. He stated that the Government was concerned in too many undertakings, and so could not specialize in any one, and as a result we found that the Railway Department was running at a serious loss. Also there were such enormous wastes not only in material but in time. Men were shifted from place to place, thus causing unnecessary expense. Then again the Railway Department was carrying between 800 and 900 men just because as the Prime Minister said he did not want to swell the ranks of the unemployed. Insufficient power was left in the hands of the local managers to deal with minor matters. If the railways were privately owned the running expenses could be greatly reduced, and with these fares would be reduced accordingly. The trains would be run to suit the requirements of the community. Privately owned railways had proved quite a success in England, America and on the Continent; also there was the Canadian-Pacific railway. If they could be run to profit in these countries why not in New Zealand? The leader of the negative party in opening up for his side defined the word profitable, which meant beneficial and lucrative. The railways were for the benefit of the community, and so any profits made by them would be shared by the community as a whole, whereas if privately owned the profits would go to a few individuals. With private ownership there was the danger of foreign monopoly. The State had all facilities to obtain efficiency. The State had also power over outside affairs, i.e., it could legislate just laws for the benefit of the railways if necessary. The State-owned railways were more likely to be patronized than private. Each leader was ably backed up by his two supporters, who brought in a good deal of new material, both original and otherwise. The affirmatives were declared winners by 12 votes to 8 votes. The judge, Mr Carlisle, before giving his decision gave a good deal of helpful criticism which was greatly appreciated. The marks gained were: affirmative 215, negative 225, thus reversing the issue. The next debate will be an inter-club debate with the Wild Bush Society, and will be held in the Y.M.C.A., the subject being: “That Polar explorations warrant the loss of life and capital.”