Debating Society

The fourth meeting consisted of discussions on the racial problem, and on the primary pleasure of the people : both very interesting topics.

We must again extend our thanks to the kitchen staff for providing us with refreshments for our meetings. C.D.I.

THE DEBATING SOCIETY

There was this term a slight reshuffle of the committee. Mr. D. L. Slade had been elected President for the term, so Mr. N. R. Barton replaced him as a Party Leader. There were also two additions to the committee, Messrs. J. J. Rhodes and P. Collins.

As the Big Hall was being extended during the term meetings of the Society had to be held elsewhere. The first meeting, being an open one, was held in the gym. The three following were closed meetings and the Lecture Theatre was found to be big enough. By the end of term the Big Hall had been restored to general use, and the last meeting was held there.

The standard of speaking this term was again fairly high. The number of speeches from the floor has been encouraging, while the different styles of speaking employed by the 'regulars' have usually put life into the meetings. The Society, then, can certainly boast its 'characters'. First, there is Mr. N. R. Barton who disdains to speak with composure and who always relies on his ancestral dignity. Then there is Mr. F. D. Lavender, a subtle reasoner and a realist, and Mr. J. M. Pickard, who has cultivated a brilliant technique of arguing round the point in his search for human justice in everything. Finally, there are Mr. D. L. Brown, a politician and a moralist, and Mr. P. H. Sykes, always urged by an abundance of self-confidence.

The first meeting was held on 23rd January, the motion being that "This House deplores convention". Proposing the motion Mr. N. R. Barton, with the aid of energetic gesticulations, made a distinction between convention, which stifled progress, and tradition. In opposing him, Mr. F. D. Lavender observed that convention was a code of conduct by which man's education was judged. The seconders were Messrs. J. M. Pickard and W. J. Bottomley. The motion was rejected by 44 votes to 42 with 13 abstentions.

The next meeting took place on 13th February. J. F. Hayes, Esq., a guest speaker, in proposing that "the pen is mightier than the sword", stated that the pen based its strength on reason. R. J. Wilson, Esq., another guest speaker, denied this and affirmed that military power was indispensable if civilisation was to flourish. Seconding the motion, Mr. C. J. Parker looked for rule by peace. The fourth speaker, Mr. M. W. Territt, stressed that the sword had always been the symbol of strength. The motion was carried by 40 votes to 25 with 4 abstentions.

The motion before the House on 27th February was that "this House would support a boycott of South African goods". A. E. R. Dodds, Esq., defending this, pointed out that the pure African was deprived of political and social privileges. Opposing him, Mr. P. Collins suggested that the results of a boycott would not be clearly visible. Seconding the motion, Mr. D. E. Coulson, in asserting human equality, quoted an appropriate passage from Galatians. The fourth platform speaker was Mr. J. C. Brisby. Convinced of the evils of Apartheid, the House voted for the boycott by 41 votes to 13 with 5 abstentions.

The fourth meeting of the term was held on 12th March. Proposing that "the needs of modern civilisation should prevail over ancient monuments", Mr. J. J. Rhodes, seconded by Mr. W. E. Potts, maintained that his side was not afraid of progress and was not sentimental. Opposing him, F. J. Wiseman, Esq., averred that ancient monuments symbolised man's heritage. His seconder was Mr. R. J. Hawkins. The motion was just carried by 23 votes to 22 with 3 abstentions.

The last meeting of the term took place on 26th March. The motion that "money isn't everything, but it's way ahead of whatever is in second place" was proposed by Mr. J. N. Hanson, who predicated that his side of the House was concerned with man's true attitude towards money. Most people were materialistic and money controlled everything that was material. Opposing him, Mr. J. 0. Armstrong said that money could not assure man of happiness or peace of mind. The respective seconders were Messrs. T. E. H. Smart and C. Henwood. The House rejected the value of money and the motion was defeated by 87 votes to 29 with 1 abstention.

Mr. D. L. Brown was elected President for the next Christmas Term with Mr. P. H. Sykes Vice-President. J.N.H.

THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS' DEBATING ASSOCIATION

This term the Association formed a north-regional branch based on St. Peter's, and on 10th March the first meeting was held. It took the form of a speaking competition with Ampleforth, Darlington G.S., Easingwold G./M.S., Pocklington, Ripon G.S. and Sheffield G.S. competing, as well as St. Peter's : Scarborough College and Bradford G.S. were represented. A panel of three judges (Sir Lumley Dodsworth, Dr. Kelly and Mr. Shannon) to whom we are most grateful for giving up their time, unanimously proclaimed Ampleforth the winners. They will go forward to the final of the competition in London. The judges deprecated the use of notes and lack of drive in the perorations. Everyone enjoyed the evening, and we look forward to next year's meeting in the hope that more schools will join an association which seems to be well worthwhile. D.L.B.

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