1933

Since the last notes were written the Society has organised four very successful debates. The first was on the motion that "Fathers are Fools," proposed by K. Lloyd and seconded by P.A.Timberlake. The proposer's speech, which was very amusing and very provocative, was well answered by the opposer, Dr. Lloyd, who was seconded by Mr. Ellis. Other speakers at this debate were J.E.Lynch, G.A.Barnard, P.E.Cooke, R.F.Liggins, E.S.Williams, Mr. Morgan, and the Headmaster. The motion was lost by an overwhelming majority.
The second of the four debates was held in the Hall during school hours, the whole School being in attendance. The Headmaster was in the chai, and the motion before the House was that "Hockey is a Preferable Game to Football for the Second Winter Term." Mr. West, proposing the motion, made two eloquent and well-calculated speeches on behalf of hockey. Mr. Hyde seconded. Mr.Morgan, whose otherwise very effective speech was marred by an insistence on the financial aspect of the matter, which, as the Chairman pointed out, was quite irrelevant, led the opposition. He was seconded by Mr. Grantham (O.M.) The only other speech was made by E.W.Scott and was almost inaudible. The motion was carried by a small majority.
The third debate was again of a humorous character, the motion being that "The Fishmonger is of Greater Value to the Community than the Politician." The motion was proposed by E.G.M.Stitcher, who spoke in his usual rambling style, and seconded by J.E.Lynch. A very amusing speech was made in opposition by Mr. Durrant, who was seconded by Mr. Morgan. Other speakers were G.A.Barnard and P.G.H.Hopkins. The motion was lost by 31 votes to 21.
The fourth and last debate was held during the present term on the motion that "Collective Control of Industry is the only Way Out of the Present World Chaos." P.A.Timberlalce was in the chair, while the chairman of the Society, E.W.Scott, seconded G.A.Barnard in proposing the motion. Mr. Morgan and his seconder, E.S.Williams, were in opposition. Very emphatic opinions on the subject of socialism were revealed. The debate was not very well attended, and there were no further speakers. The motion was lost by 11 votes to 21.
Proposed events for this term are a debate with Wanstead County High School and a mock trial to be held during school hours.

The Society has started its season very successfully, having held already, in addition to the annual general meeting, three well-attended debates. At the annual general meeting K.Lloyd was elected chairman of the Society; P.A.Timberlake was re-elected secretary; while the following were elected to the committee: Mr. Ellis, F.P.Day, A.R.Kiggins, S.F.Pritchard, O.L.Wade. Mr. Ellis, Day, and Wade have since resigned. On the resignation of Mr. Ellis, Dr. Lloyd took over the management of the Society, and is now working hard to increase the number of its supporters in the School.
The first debate was on the motion that "In the opinion of this House Science will destroy Civilisation." All speakers were agreed that the only way in which science could destroy civilisation was by its being used in warfare. The proposer, K.Lloyd, maintained that war was inevitable, but P.A.Timberlake, leading the opposition, said that he did not believe that the youth of the world would again allow millions of lives to be sacrificed to satisfy the whims of a few. D.R.Vicary seconded the proposition, R.S.Vine was against, and there were five other speakers. The motion was lost by 21 votes to 36.
The motion at the second debate was, "In the opinion of this House there should be a Speed-limit for private Motorcars in Towns." D. Border proposed the motion and was seconded by H.R.Wilcock, but the opponents, W.F.Daggett and his seconder, R.P.Towndrow, had much more support in the House. Mr. Taylor was one of the many speakers. The motion was lost by 21 votes to 83.
At the third debate the motion that "This House prefers an Annual Examination to Monthly Tests" was defeated by 89 votes to 124. The proposers, L.R.Hollis and S.I.A.Cartwright, set a bad example by reading their speeches. F.C.Carpenter led the opposition, S.W.H.Grainger seconding, and there were eight other speakers.
Although this season's debates have been very well attended, the standard of speaking has not been as high as that of last season. This is because a number of our most experienced debaters left last term, among them G.A.Sarnard and E.W.Scott, who for several years were loyal supporters of the Society. We hope, however, that some of our less experienced speakers will make the most of the opportunities for practice that the debates afford, and become in time skilful debaters.