THE DEBATING SOCIETY. President : THE HEADMASTER. Chairman : Mr. R. CALDER, M.A. Secretary : E. A. K. DENISON. Committee : T. F. MORRIS, N. G. L. R. McDERMID, P. HNIK, P. SIMPSON, W. P. A. ANELAY, J. D. ECCLES. This term the Society welcomed as its new chairman, Mr. Calder, who, in opening the first meeting on Saturday, 14th October, paid warm tribute to the work of Dr. Whitmore, the late chairman, whose departure, he knew, was regretted by everybody connected with the Society. Miss B. Collett then proposed that " Women can no longer be regarded as the weaker sex." Miss Collett gave examples of great women in history, and then, referring to the physical side, pointed out the achievements of women in the sphere of swimming. She complained that as yet women had not had the same opportunities as men, as far as the intellect was concerned. E. A. K. Denison, opposing the motion, stated that the acknowledged fact of men's superior strength, was the basis of so many things, and gave appropriate examples. He contended that a woman's possible equality in intellect was nullified by a lack of practical application. J. D. Taylor Thompsons, supporting the motion, attempted to prove that women were no longer dependent on men. P. Hnik, speaking fourth, stated that lack of experience in the process of evolution .was the cause of women's obvious weakness. The motion was defeated by 23 votes to 12. The second meeting was held on Saturday, 28th October. During private business, two votes of censure were proposed on the Chairman, who ruled them out of order. P. R. Penty then proposed that " We are losing the peace." He complained that great opportunities were not taken advantage of, and he gave many examples. He adversely criticised the Education Act and the medical profession, and said that in economic spheres the Government had failed lamentably. W. P. Anelay, opposing the motion, dealt, by means of examples, with all the proposer's complaints, and pointed out the many things that were being arranged : social security, security of employment and housing. He claimed that Britain had the world's best agricultural system. G. H. Dodsworth, speaking third, said that in order to keep peace in the world, the Allies must keep together after the war, and he complained that Russia and America were already outstripping Britain in their post-war plans. J. D. Eccles, speaking fourth, said there was complete agreement between the Allies, claimed that Britain was leading the world in civil aviation, and then quoted the Atlantic Charter and the Dumbarton Oaks Conference as great steps towards winning the peace. The motion was defeated by 17 votes to 9. The third debate of the term was held on Saturday, 11th November, when J. D. Eccles proposed that " This House is in favour of the disestablishment of the English Church." He complained that the Sovereign was tied to the Church in many ways, of which he gave examples, and said that without state interference the Church would be more sincere. He said that state interference with theology tended to produce a totalitarian state. N. G. L. R. McDermid, opposing the motion, said that such a break between Church and State would be disastrous, and that many people would believe we had renounced it. The union with the Crown worked well, and people regarded the nation and the Church as one, especially as, so he claimed, the Church was the foundation of the constitution. .
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