Y.M.C.A

Press, Volume L, Issue 14976, 25 May 1914, Page 9

V.M.C.A

DEBATING CLUB MEETING. Tho weekly meeting ol the V.M.C.A. Debating Club was held ou Saturday aight, Mr J. Caughloy presiding over an attendance oi over lorty members. Twenty-five new members wero elected aud four wero proposed for membership, bringing the total membership up to 114. This, it is claimed, makes tho Club the latgcst debating club in tne Dominion.

Arrangements tor next Saturday's debate were made. th_ subject being •'Should Compulsory Training be Abolished in Now Zealand:-"' Messrs F. J. Hulston, (". Burt, and "W. T. Connibcar were chosen for tne r.liirniative. and Messrs A. Holden. H. 11. Plimsoll, and W. J. Wilson ior tho negative _ide.

The subject for the evening was "Prepared Speeches." and live inenibcrs spoko for ten minutes each, discussion ot each speech being allowed at- its conclusion.

Mr A. Cado spoke on ''The Benefits oj Trade Unionism to the Worker, of New Zealand." and gave an account of the growth of the trade union movement and the great assistance it. had been to tho workers.

''Some Incidents Relating to tho Building of the Panama Canal" was the subject chosen by -Mr A. Holclcn, who gave his hearers some interesting information concerning this great work.

A description of the many uses of timber, and the rapid rate "at which Nov.* Zealand forests are being reduced, was given by Mr F. J. Hulston. wlioao ■subject was *'Thf Necessity of Afforestation in New Zealand.-' This speech provoked much discussion, no fewer than ten speakers folltiwin. up tlie pubject. "International Arbitration" was chosen by Mr G. MacDougall, who.referred to the modern tendency to Kettle disputes by peace methods instead of by going to war. Tho last speaker was -Mr F. Miles, and ho chose a hobby for his subject, "Homing Pigeons and i'i_eou-flying.'' Mr Miles's speech considerably enlightened the members on the wonderful homing instinct of pi-icons and the •useto which they are nut by newspapers. The chairman awarded tbo following points to tbe various speakers:— Mr Hulston ... 7-1 points. Mr MacDougall ... 74 ~ Mr Cado ... 73 „ Mr Folden ... OS. .. Mr Miles ... CG • '.',

Tho chairman stated that 4 24 members had taken part in tbo discussion, many of tvhom were new to the Club.