UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1098, 10 April 1911, Page 3

UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

HOME RULE. A large audience was present at the first meeting of tho Victoria College Debating Society on Saturday evening, when a motion to the effect that "the demand of the Irish, Nationalists for Home Rule should be granted," received an effective treatment. The motion was moved by Mr. W. J. M'Eldowney, seconded by Mr. F. Hall-Jones, and opposed bv Mr. C. H. Taylor, M.A., and Mr. M. 'H. Oram, M.A. The movers applied to the case of Ireland the two maxims of Imperial Government—local autonomy and Imperial unity. Each constituent part of the Empire, as soon as it had attained a certain standard, was entitled to manage its purely local affairs. On the other hand, matters affecting the Empire as a whole should be discussed in a common council. The demand of the Irish Nationalists, as evinced by the most recent negotiations with the Liberal party, was that Ireland should manage her local affairs, excluding Mich matters as customs, religion, army, and navy. Ireland demanded Home Tiule- not so much beeatiso she was ill-treated—for placation had superseded coercion—but because legislation was a right, and not a favour. Moreover, the congestion of business in the British Parliament rendered if. imperative that, if the affairs of Empire wcro to receive adequate discussion, local powers should devolve on Legislatures in Ireland, Scotland, and England. Tho opposers replied that, while the Irish people were capable of governing themselves, it would be unwise to grant them the power to do so. Ireland had far more representatives in the Housa of Commons than she was entitled to,, and no Irish Parliament could have put into execution certain great land reforms involving an enormous expenditure. Ireland's demand to-day was tho same as in tho days of Parnell and O'Comiellfor complete separation. A far better plan for relieving congestion in the House of Commons would bo the formation of an Imperial Council, to which the United Kingdom and the. overseas Dominions could send representatives. Fourteen members took part in the discussion, which, en being put to the meeting, was declared lost by 11 votes tn 12. Tho Hon. Mr. Jenkiuson, who judged the debate, made some interesting remarks on the value of interjections in putting speakers on their mettle. For tho purposes of the Union Prize, he placed the first five speakers in tho following order—Messrs. A. Fair, D. Smith. W. .7. M'Eldowney, G. Watson, and F. HallJones.

Previous to the debnfo the annual meeting (adjourned from Mondny night) was resumed. Several important rules were iiiklod, and the balance-sheet ivns adopted. Subject to Lord Plunket's consent, Hie judging at the Plunkct Jlettal Competitions will henceforth bs done by three or five judges, instead of by th'o vote of members of (he society. A voio of thanks was passed to Jlr. Collie for his generous Rift of n handsome honours board to the society.