NOISE AND MISSILES

Evening Star, Issue 20140, 3 April 1929, Page 3

NOISE AND MISSILES

INTERUHIVERSITY DEBATES (.SPECIAL TO THE ‘StAB.'J AUCKLAND, April 2. Under the caption of • An Unloriunnle Incident., ’to-night's ‘Star 1 sa.xs: " Kadi year the intercollegiate University debating contest, lias heen marked by noisy interruptions and nproanons cmidiift on tiio part ot some of the students al tending. This makes it. almost impossible lor the .judges to do their work properly, and it also seal ousiy handicaps the speakers, indeed, it reduces I lie whole debate lo the Iced of a, cheap farce. In Auckland last tear the three judges were pelted with, oxer-ripe tomatoes, and had to retire from the hall till order could be restored; and in Christchurch this year Bishop West-Watson has had to adjourn the debate for half an hour till those responsible lor the uproar Jett the room, it is true that the speeches are otteu dull; they show signs of caretnl preparation rather than the ready resource of the practised debater. Jfc is also true that frequently the speakers are inaudible to those at the back ©1 the hall, but these things are no excuse for the letting off of fireworks, continuous noise, and, the pelting «t the judges anti others xvith unsavoury missiles. The debate- ought to l-c regarded us one of the most important of the tournament contests. The student., should see to it that each speaker get" a lair hearing, ami licit nothing occurs to prevent the judges Lem annnialcly appraising llic merit' of the debaters. A witty interjection would be welcome, and would test tin? speaker's power of impromptu reply; but, there is nothing willy in mere noise, and ordinary good manners Mould seem lo dictate a courteous hearing for visiting team'. At least, they ought lo feel that they are addressing an educated audience and should have no chance, of mistaking their hearers for larrikins. Jt has been suggested that these debates should be held in private in future, and this seems the- only course, cpcii it these disturbances continue; but it is to be. .hoped that the good sense or tiio students xvili cause them to take steps to prevent those noi'.v interruptions, and to accord to the speakers file courtesy that they would receive at Oxford or Cambridge.”