DEBATING

Southland Times, Issue 21728, 14 June 1932, Page 6

DEBATING

MARIST OLD BOYS’ CLUB. ADDRESS BY JUDGE GILFEDDER. The fortnightly meeting of the Marist Old Boys’ Debating Club was held last evening, there being a large attendance of members. Three new members were elected. Correspondence was received from the Invercargill Debating Club suggesting more co-ordination between the two clubs and extending a welcome to its meetings. It was decided to reciprocate in every possible way. The president (Mr P. J. McCarthy) extended a welcome to Judge M. Gilfedder and referred the pleasure the club always experienced in listening to addresses by the judge. Judge Gilfedder, in reply, thanked the president for his remarks and said he proposed to give an address on “Free Trade within the British Empire,” a subject of topical interest in view of the Ottawa Conference. In opening his address Judge Gilfedder pictured the vastness of the British Empire, the richness of her soil and the industry of her people. International conditions had changed considerably in the post-war years and now more than ever was there need for unanimity amongst the British people. Instances were quoted of the energy of other nations, and the speaker said it behoved the British Empire to look to her laurels. The advocacy of Lord Beaverbrook and Lord Rothermere of “Free Trade within the Empire” met with strong opposition from the MacDonald Labour Government, but the wisdom of the principles expounded by them were now receiving more serious consideration. The distribution of Britain’s trade as far as the dominions were concerned was not in the best int.rests _f the Empire, and Russia, Denmark and the Argentine were examples of countries which received much and gave little in return. The ideal of a general benefit to each and every part of the Empire should be the underlying principle of any arrangement. Judge Gilfedder dealt in detail with the many phases of the situation, and remarked on the great things which could be accomplished at the forthcoming conference at Ottawa. “The darkest hour,” he said, “is before the dawn,” and he quoted Sir Arthur Salter, who stated that “we should be stoically patient and intelligently optimistic, for a great future lies before us.” Judge Gilfedder later in the evening dealt briefly with affairs in Ireland and also in a reminiscent vein recounted sojne amusing incidents in his career. He was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his interesting and instructive addresses. Some interesting and amusing readings were provided by Messrs L. J. Dobbs, K. F. Jones and P. J. McCarthy. A one-act play entitled “The Bishop’s Candlesticks” was read by Messrs Davin, O’Neill, Caulfield, Officer, Murray and O’Connor, and proved particularly entertaining. It was decided that the next meeting night be devoted to prepared speeches.