Victoria University College. Debating Society.

President, Professor R. O. McGechan, B.A., L.L.B.; Chairman, Stan Campbell; Vice, Dave Cohen; Secretary, Morie Marshall; Treasurer, Kevin O'Brien; Committee; Jackie Patrick, Jean Priest, Nigel Taylor, John Ziman.

Thanks of the Society are due to Hilary Wilton and Mike Murray for organising Publicity and Supper respectively.

With Easter Tournament being held in Wellington, and Extrav. early in the year and on tour, the Society got off to a late start. Despite these initial difficulties, the record of attendances and interest in the debates has been good. The highest attendance was 232 members, and the lowest was 38. This latter was in the third term, when students generally were suffering attacks of "examitis."

The opening subject for this year was "That this house approves of General Scobie's intervention in Greece." After many heated words, greatly enjoyed by a large audience, the motion was declared lost.

Highlights and decisions during the year were:—

"That the N.Z. Law relating to Capital Punishment Should be repeated."—Lost.

"That all other lands other than sovereign states should be under international control."—Lost.

"That the State Control of coal mines would ensure an adequate supply of coal."—Carried.

"That Christianity is the only solution to present-day chaos in society."—Carried.

"That this house approves the R.S.A. motions re enemy aliens."—Lost.

As may be seen by the above subjects, the Society endeavours to discuss matters of the moment, and the divergent and interesting opinions of members made for lively hecking, and an amusing and instructing evening was the reward of all those who attended.

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The Union Prize 1945 was won in covincing manner by Mr. Roy Jack, and the New Speakers Prize was awarded to Miss B. J. Patrick.

The Plunket Medal Oratory Contest, Held annually by the Society, attracted a large audience to the Convert Chamber of the Town Hall. The judges for this year's contest were Sir Patrick Duff, High Commissioner for Great Britain; Bishop Barbe Holland, and Mr. Haward Wadman. Seven entries were received and the judges' award went to Mr. Klaus Neuberg, whose subject was Erasmus of Rotterdam. While awaiting the judges' decision, musical numbers were given by the College Musical Society. After the award had been announced, Mr. Howard Wadman gave a most interesting criticism of the speakers' efforts.

Messrs. O'Brien and Jack represented V.U.C. at the Joynt Scroll contest, and while they did not succeed in regaining the trophy they did credit to the Society by their good effort.

No team was entered for the Wellington Union of Public Speaking contests owing to the lateness of our own programme in commencing, but we entered three teams in the Wellington Competitions Society Impromptu Debate Section, taking first and third places in the contest.

Along with other cultural clubs in the College, we find our membership is increasing and larger audiences the vogue. We hope in the coming year to reinstate the inter-faculty debates and inter-club functions which were a feature of pre-war programmes, We were able to stage debates with teams from Training College and the Junior Chamber of Commerce, and look forward to bigger and better efforts of this nature.

The Committee is very pleased to welcome back returned men and women, and express the hope that their return will bring to the club new life and fresh ideas.