The Debating Society

There have been four meetings this term, the usual elections, and a visit to Ampleforth to debate with their society. The elections took place soon after the beginning of term when Messrs. M. V. Smith, J. N. Spencer, J. L. Richardson and C. J. L. Clarke were elected on to the Committee, and 24 new members into the Society. It is interesting that the majority of new members came from the junior part of the School, and it is regrettable that more seniors do not take an active interest in the Society.

The visit to Ampleforth did not unfortunately crown the School with glory. Messrs. Brown and Dickie proposed the motion "This House thinks Rule by the People is bad for the People". The debate developed into a straight fight between democracy and other forms of government, and our team eventually managed to poll a third of the votes. Our thanks must go to the Headmaster of Ampleforth for entertaining us to an excellent dinner, and all other members of the staff and boys who helped to make the visit so enjoyable.

Our first meeting of the term at home was an open one, in which Messrs. Higgins and Emsley claimed "That Britain is a Nation in Decline"; vigorously opposed by Messrs. Spencer and Hudson. It was a pleasing start to a term's debating and many juniors distinguished themselves by amazingly mature speeches. The House did not consider Britain was a nation in decline.

For the second meeting of the term the Society were pleased to welcome the Head Master and Mr. Dodds as guest speakers. Mr. Dodds proposed the motion "This House thinks the old must give way to the new". He was seconded by Mr. Biddle, and Mr. Dickie seconded the Head Master. The result was a tie and the President cast his vote in favour of the Head Master. The Society benefitted much from the two visiting speakers and we thank them for providing such an enjoyable meeting.

The third meeting of term was conducted according to the alternative constitution, namely, two platform speakers, Messrs. Gregg and Kitching, who each had five people to support them from the floor with prepared speeches. The motion "This House thinks the individual is more important than the community" was carried.

For the fourth meeting of the term it was decided to have a political motion, "This House disapproves the choice of Lord Home as Prime Minister". It was proposed by Messrs. Richardson and Norbury, and opposed by Messrs. Clarke and Donnelly. Political motions are always a dangerous venture, however, and not many people were willing to speak. The motion was then amended to "Down with the Queen and the aristocracy is the feeling of this House", this was defeated by 26 votes to 7.

It was decided to have an ordinary debate for the last meeting of term, as opposed to the usual frolics, and Mr. Smith proposed the motion "This House prefers the good old days". The motion was opposed by a boisterous Mr. Collomosse and Messrs. Ibberson and Grayson seconded. Mr. Collomosse emerged victorious.

This ended an interesting term of debating, and we thank all those people who have contributed to its success.