Inter-'Varsity Debates by Radio

Radio Record, Volume III, Issue 43, 9 May 1930, Page 4

Inter-'Varsity Debates by Radio

Students Claim Many Advantages

ce THE prospects of conducting university debating contests by radio were discussed at the meeting of the council of the National Union of University Students in Auckland recently. "If we succeed in arranging them, the debates will probably be the first ever organised on such lines," said Mr. W. J. Mountjoy. "We are hoping that the Broadeasting Company with the co-operation of the Post Office, will be able to install land-lines for relay between the main centres. In this way, if the contest is between an Auckland team and a Wellington team, neither need leave its college hall. Audiences in both centres will be able to hear the debates. The complete debate can be carried on with the usual rules, and brought to a conclusion in the one night. All four centres will be able to take part." Continuing to outline the advantages of such a method, Mr. Mountjoy said

saaenaninmanil that travelling expenses for the various teams would be obviated and audiences would be made much greater. He mentioned that the Victoria deat ing team, which had travelled so successfully last year in the United States of America and Canada, had never spoken to such large audiences as in New Zealand. In Auckland 3000 had attended one debate. The matter of arrangins "wireless debates" during the coming year was left to the Debates Standing Committee, The intention of the promoters is for the two North Island universities, in Auckland and in Wellington, to hold a debate, and then for the South Island universities to debate a question over the line from Christchurch to Dunedin, the winner of the North Island debate afterward to meét the winner of the South Island debate. This final debate would, of course, be broadcast by all four stations..