Curia

In the last debate on 15th November, the motion was that "This House believes that decadence begins with the Welfare State". Mr. N. R. Barton, proposing, said that the Welfare State tended to give everyone something for nothing, thus taking away the initiative for competition. Mr. P. A. Crossley, opposing him, considered that this system provided many essentials for the less wealthy, and cited the degenerate aristocracy as the cause of its abuse. Mr. A. McCallum and Mr. D. E. Rayner supported these two speakers. The motion was won by 37-13, with 8 abstentions.

On fith December a mock trial was held. Archimedes was charged with a breach of the peace. This was an opportunity for much ingenuity in dressing up. D. E. Rayner, as the judge, was impressive both in manner and appearance; N. R. Barton was a formidable Defence Counsel, of Victorian splendour; J. B. Mathews made a delightful Irish priest, and D. L. Slade and J. M. Pickard were nicely plebeian as a lamplighter and a plumber.

We thank Miss Banks for her help with costumes and make-up.

No doubt the trial was a travesty of the law, and the rules of evidence became badly mixed with opinion and gossip; but an hour passed happily.

Impromptu debates filled the last half hour, and tested the skill of six speakers.

The quality of debating has been of a good standard, and there have been some very lively exchanges.

In the Easter Term, R. L. Evans has been elected President, and F. C. Beaumont Vice-President.

D.L.B., N.R.B., D.G.C.

THE CURIA

At the usual preliminary meeting, A. McCallum was elected Chairman and A. H. Crowther Secretary for the term. After the election of nine new members, there was a brief discussion of the term's programme.

The first meeting took the form of a discussion entitled "America is the greatest threat to world peace". After some lively arguments which took us rapidly through East Germany, Hungary, the Middle East, Cyprus and Formosa, the Society came to a distinctly proAmerican conclusion.

The second meeting, held in the music room, was a gramophone recital at which each member played a record of his own choice. These ranged from Tannhauser to Tom Lehrer—a programme of great variety.