GISBORNE DEBATING SOCIETY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2039, 26 March 1907, Page 2

GISBORNE DEBATING SOCIETY.

The first debate of the season took place last night in the Choral Hall, the President in the chair. Before ropceeding to the debate, 19 new members were eleetd, including one lady, bringing the total membership up to over 60. An alteration in the syllabus was announced, in so much as the debate on the question “Does character wield a greater influence than environment?” set down for April Ist, takes ) lace on April Bth, and tho question “Is female suffrage an advantage for New Zealand?” will be the subject for next Monday, night’s debate. Dr. Collins and Air. Ale Lean were chosen as the leaders in the latter question ,and Mr. E. Tl. Mann and the Rev. F. W. Chatterton will lead off on the question to be debated a week later.

The debate of the evening, “'Should the colonies have their own navy?” was affirmed by Mr. T. Alston Coleman, who filled up his full time in an exceedingly interesting treatment of tho subject that although it is not practical for the colonies to maintain a large navy, it was at any rate advisable to make a- start in that direction, and lie did not claim that it should be an aggressive one, but one purely for defensive purposes. Air. W. Lissant Clayton traversed the arguments of his opponent and ably calling to his assistance many historical events and opinions of naval and military strategists to show that a colonial navy was not desirable. mainly on the score of expense and on the ground that the best strategy did not dictate that a navy should he a scattered one. lie also dwelt on the point that the starting of a colonial navy would mean severance from the British navy. Fully two-thirds of the members present took part in the debate and after the leaders had replied a vote was taken resulting in the affimativc side of the question being decided by two votes.

After the voting, the President, Air. J. A. Connell, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs. Coleman and Clayton and congratulated them Wmntrwny —o i icy—im debate. The motion was carried by acclamation.

A vote of thanks to the President concluded a most enjoyable and instructive evening.

The next debate takes place oi Monday night.