The Spike: or, Victoria University College Review, June 1922

Free Discussions Club

Free Discussions Club.

After the captious criticisms levelled at the Club in the newspapers, at the end of last year, a large increase in membership is expected. To such lengths did this caviling spirit go, that not only were the aims of the Club objected to, but also the seemingly harmless title. When the Liberal Club at Clark University was similarly treated, the membership tripled. May the same fate be ours!

Only two meetings have been held since the last issue of the "Spike." On 23rd October, there was a symposium on Theft. Miss Myers, dealing with the problem from the ethical standpoint, upheld the right of private property, as it gave security of existence and helped the growth of personality. Theft was the arbitrary infringement of such rights, and was morally wrong, as its presence in a community lessened the incentive to work, and set up force and violence. Mr. Croker detailed many amusing legal subtleties in the Law of Theft. He cited cases to show whether corpses or electricity or oysters could be stolen. Mr. Bickerton, on the Social aspect, maintained that civilized nations still thieved with impunity from one another and from the backward races, although they would not allow individual citizens to. Mr. Troup, who put forward the religious aspect, said that it followed from the concept of God, that thieving was wrong. We were all children of one Father and must respect one another's rights. Landowners should regard themselves as stewards, and use their power to forward the Kingdom of God.

At the first meeting this year, after the election of officers and the reading of the report, Professor Hunter addressed the Club on Religion." He traced the origins of various religions, and held that religion should be regarded as something which was evolving. Life was an adventure, and new problems were for ever arising, so that it was foolish to expect absolute guidance from the past.

The Club hopes to get Professor Goode to speak when he returns to Wellington. The next address will be on "Modern Art," and may help to enlighten us about Cubism and all the other new tendedcies, so puzzling to the uninitiated.

The Club has subscribed to Stead's Review," and copies are in the Common Rooms, for all who wish to read.