INTER-CATHOLIC SOCIETIES’ DEBATING UNION

New Zealand Tablet, 23 July 1914, Page 51

INTER-CATHOLIC SOCIETIES’ DEBATING UNION

(From our Wellington correspondent.) . The first debate in connection with the recently formed Inter-Catholic Societies’ Debating Union, was decided on Thursday night, July 9, at St. Anne’s Catholic Clubrooms. The contestants were St. Anne’s Catholic Club (affirmative) and Wellington Catholic Club (negative), the subject being, ‘Socialism: will it work?’ Mr. G. Dee occupied the chair, and Rev. Father 11. J. Herring, S.M., judged the debate. The question as it stood, was one the exact meaning of which was debatable, for the affirmative took the question to mean ‘ Socialism will workthat is, that it will actually come into existence, —but whether it would work success/ 11/ 1 1/ is the -subject for another debate.’ The negative, oil the other hand, debated the question from the standpoint—‘Socialism: will it work successfully?’ Roth opinions were permissible, but they imposed extra difficulty on the judge. The speakers for the two clubs were—St. Anne's: Messrs. O. N. Foote, J. Fagan, and F. Galvin (leader); Wellington; Messrs J. R. Grant, R. Duffy, and C. P. McKenzie (leader). The conditions of the debate were— First and second speakers of each side ,10 minutes, and third speaker (leader) 15 minutes. The debate proved to be most interesting and instructive and decidedly spirited, but it was affected slightly on account of the different aspects of the question argued by each side. The judge, in adjudicating, allowed points under the headings of argument (50), language (25), and delivery (25) for each speaker, and for general connection or continued argument, 100 points for each side. The result was as follows ; — St. Anne’s—Mr. Foote, €7; Mr. Fagan, 55; and Mr. Galvin, 87; continued argument, 80; total, 289 points. Wellington —Mr. Grant, 70; Mr. Duffy, 58; and Mr. McKenzie, 80; continued argument, (50: total points, 268. St. Anne’s were declared the winners by 21 points. The rev. judge 'reviewed the speakers and explained the allocation of points to each individual speaker. He was heartily thanked by Messrs. C. P. McKenzie (secretary to the union) and J. Fagan (president of the St. Anne’s Club). The meeting closed with a hearty vote of thanks to the chair.