The Debating Society

Mr. L. C. Le Tocq and A. G. D. Staines, for the opposition, looked at the motion from an economic angle. They alleged that the firms with the most money would be able to afford the best entertainers and then build up a monopoly. Thus smaller firms would be squeezed out of business; the cost of living would go up and the standard of living would become uniform.

Speakers from the floor of the House were . R. M. Kirkus, J. H. Baines, C. H. Lewis, B. W. H. Carter, M. T. Powell, P. W. Middlebrook, D. 'A. Stabler.

When the division was taken, 38 concurred, 95 dissented, and there were 12 abstentions.

The second meeting of the term was held on 10th October, in "C" form room, when the motion was "That man's lust for speed will prove his destruction".

Mr. K. H. Rhodes and W. T. Shaw, for the proposition, asked what speed was worth and what its achievements were. Life and business could go on just as efficiently without it. Man could not live on speed for ever for it was gradually wearing down the nerves of the world.

J. B. Claydon and W. R. Ibberson, for the opposition, said that many modern amenities were dependent upon speed. Speed had now become safer and therefore we must be progressive.

When the debate was thrown open to the House speakers from the floor were : R. D. Wheatley, R. M. Kirkus, D. C. Holmes, E. S. Portlock, A. M. Marsh, J. H. Baines, J. C. M. Herring, M. R. Leonard, R. M. Scarth, D. K. Timms, M. W. Bolton, 0. C. Wetherell, C. B. Simpson, D. M. Walker, H. C. Bulmer, T. A. W. Kettlewell.

At the division there were 29 votes for the motion, 34 against, and two abstentions.

The third debate was held on 31st October, again in "C" form room. The motion for debate was "That this House favours the retention of capital punishment".

D. M. Walker, proposing the motion, and A. M. Marsh, seconding, said that the death penalty fitted the crime well and was the only solution for the worst crime possible. Public life would be jeopardized if murderers were only imprisoned, as there was always the possibility of escape.

The Secretary and T. A. W. Kettlewell, opposing, believed that crime was a disease and should be treated as such. The death penalty could not possibly deter people in a sudden fit of rage. 22

Speakers from the floor were : P. W. Middlebrook, D. C. Holmes, J. N. T. Howat, O. C. Wetherell, G. D. Gardner, R. D. Wheatley, R. G. Bingham, B. N. Jackson, J. C. Oldroyd, B. M. Nendick, W. J. B. Strike, R. M. Scarth, P. R. B. Megginson, T. G. Stephenson, W. T. Shaw, P. D. Allan, R. M. Kirkus, M. Ruddock, D. A. Stabler, R. J. Sharp.

The division showed 38 in favour, 18 against and one abstention. This was the only motion not rejected by the House this term.

The fourth debate of the term was held on 14th November, in "C" form room. The motion was "That this House approves the principle of restoring the Guildhall in its original form".

Mr. F. J. Wiseman, speaking first, said that York had lost many buildings in the past and could not afford to lose any more. Any that could be saved, should be saved. The modern age had no comparable buildings because this age's particular genius was engineering, which it should stick to.

Mr. D. G. Cummin, speaking second, told the House that the present Guildhall was of no use as the administrative centre which York so badly needed. York should be progressive and build a new Guildhall suitable, amongst other things, for holding concerts, public meetings, etc.

R. M. Hick, speaking third, said it was the duty of the present generation to restore the 'Guildhall for future generations.

D. K. Timms, speaking fourth, said that the restoration would cost more than a new building. The money could be used in providing for other amenities which York lacked.

Speakers from the floor were : J. H. Baines, P. Crowe, J. N. T. Howat, the Secretary, M. T. Carter, R. K. Young, T. G. Stephenson, C. J. Gregory, J. C. M. Herring, D. C. Holmes, R. D. Wheatley, D. A. Stabler, C. S. 'Chapman, J. B. Claydon, B. N. Jackson, M. W. Bolton, C. M. Grainger.

The House divided, 12 in favour, '25 against, two abstentions.

The last meeting of the term was held on 5th December, in the Gymnasium. As is customary, we departed from our normal procedure, and this term held a session of "Any Questions", the panel consisting of :- Mr. R. D. Wheatley, who represented the literary profession as an Editor of "The Peterite". Mr. C. H. Lewis, an eminent authority on medical matters. Mr. D. C. Holmes, an ardent partisan of "We plough the fields and scatter". And Mr. T. E. Thomas, one of the School's foremost comic actors. (Mr. Thomas appeared by kind permission of the St.

Peter's School Players.)

The questions asked were many and various and the panel displayed great skill in answering some of them. Opportunities were given to the House, so that they could also express their views. So ended a very enjoyable term's debating.

THE MUSIC SOCIETY

Chairman: MR. F. WAINE. Secretary: P. L. BARDGETT. Choral Society Secretary: J. N. T. HOWAT. Orchestra Secretary: E. H. N. TURNER. Librarian: A. BLOOMFIELD.

House Representatives:

Grove: Manor: Queen's:

P. L. BARDGETT. J. FORD. R. B. ATKINSON. W. B. HAWKINS. A. M. MARSH. A. BLOOMFIELD.

Rise:

J. M. GRAINGER.

P. S. ROE.

School House: Temple:

C. G. HOWAT. J. A. SUTTON. J. N. T. HOWAT. P. G. TAYLOR.

The Society organised two Saturday evening meetings this term. In the first Mr. Arthur Millington (tenor) came over from Leeds to join Mr. Waine and Mr. Walker in a recital of songs and chamber music. In the second an interesting programme was provided entirely by members of the Society. Rehearsals for next term's concert (Handel's Samson) started this term but were suspended towards the end of term owing to the play. We saw the new offices of Choral Society Secretary and Orchestra Secretary ably filled by J. N. T. Howat and E. H. N. Turner. We owe our thanks to those members who have presented lunch-time recitals, two of which were on longplaying records. P. L. Bardgett—R. Strauss. J. C. Oldroyd—Bliss, Satie, Lizst. R. M. Kirkus—Borodin. W. B. Hawkins—Walton (L.P.). J. C. M. Herring—Schubert. J. N. T. Howat—Satie. A. Bloomfield—Lizst, Frank.

Reports of the Music Society evenings appear below.

MUSIC SOCIETY CONCERTS

The first Music Society concert of the term was given on Saturday, 24th October, at 6-30 p.m., in Big Hall.