DEBATING SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1432, 6 May 1912, Page 9

DEBATING SOCIETY.

At the ordinary fortnightly meeting of the Victoria College Debating Society, held at the College on Saturday evening, tho subject for discussion was that ot party Government. That university students take keen interest in such topics was proved by the large attendance at the meeting. Mr. M'Eldowney, seconded by Mi«s North, moved a motion to tho ellect that party Government was an obstacle both to efficient administration and progressive legislation. This was opposed by Mr H Oram, M.A., seconded by Mr. .u. k C.Mackay. Tho movers based their arguments chiefly on references to the great figures of British political history who have hold aloof from such a system. in their- opinion party Government was not only unnecessary, but also positively harmful to (he body politic. On the other hand, tho supporters ot party Government held that it wus the only system by which any harmonious administration could be carried out. Under such a system as that of an elective executive each Minister in charge of a Department would pursue an independent policy. As to legislation, they held that no progressive legislation could be passed without tho weight of a party behind it; in fact, all measures of reform would have to be shelved indefinitely. A very lengthy discussion by members of'the societv then ensued. On being put to the meeting tho motion was lost. Tho judge, Mr. I\ M. B. 1-isher. M.P., placed tho five best speakers in the iol-.loH-ing order :-Mr. F. G. Hall-Jones (1), Mr. Mazengarb (2), Miss North (Jj, Mr. Stevenson (4), Mr. Cornish (5). A vote oi thanks to Mr. Fisher concluded the meeting.