DIALECTIC SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20497, 16 March 1932, Page 3

DIALECTIC SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual general meeting of the Canterbury College Dialectic Society was held last evening. Mr J. L. Robson presided in the absence of Pr<fcfessor L. G. Pocock. In the annual report, the secretary, Mr C. F. Jones, said that six general debates had been held during the 1931 session. In addition to ordinary meetings during the session, the annual representative debates took place against the Workers' .Educational Association and the Canterbury College Law Students' Society. Debates were also held with Isga-Toa Club and with the' W.E.A., over the wireless. The main event of the debating year had been the visit of a debating from Oregon University, U.S.A. Mr L. K. Cook had been the winner of the open and impromptu speech competitions, and for the Olla Podrida prizes; Mr E. K. Cook's three-act play was the popular choice. Of the remaining competitors, Professor J. Shelley placed Mr C. S. Perry first, and Miss D. Maginness second. The debating scroll had been awarded to Mr C. £>• Perry for 1930-31. The election of officers resulted as follows President, Mr L. C. Webb; honorary president, Professor Sinclair©; secretary, Mr J. A. Bretherton; treasurer, Mr J. L. Robson; executive, Misses L. Loy, G. Wilkins, and Messrs E. K. Cook and I. F. G. Milner. The incoming executive .was recommended to mane efforts to raise tr\Q standard of debates, and where P°s* 'sible to introduce the humorous element. It was suggested that co-opera-tion between the faculties should be increase'd to engage further interest. A vote of thanks was passed to the retiring president, Professor L. G. Pocock, for his keen and active interest, and to the executive for the work carried out during the year. For the Joynt scroll contest, to o® held. in Christchurch shortly after Easter, Messrs k A. K. Anderson, W. Lascelles, and L. O; Webb were appointed judges. The subject for debate is, "That the State Should Support Social Service." . . . For the first time a competition between the Universities for the medal recently given by Lord Bledisl° e , to be held this year in Wellington. The, medal is to be competed for in a triennial contest. Each college will two speakers to represent it, and deliver an oration of twelve minutes duration on any selected person ° r event in New Zealand history.