MANUTAHI.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 242, 4 August 1877, Page 2

MANUTAHI.

[from a correspondent.] August 2. The weekly meeting of the Debating Class was held last night, Mr Peacock in the chair. Mr Guthrie, in a very exhaustive speech, opened the debate on “ Free Trade versus Protection,” and proceeded to show the results of protection in America and in Victoria. He admitted that these countries had made progress and great progress, but it was due to their great natural resources, and in spite of protection, which, though it did not altogether stop, acted as a heavy drag, and materially retarded that progress. He compared the relative positions of protective and free trading countries, and said that prohibitive duties gaA'e rise to smuggling, an instance of which might be seen in the whiskey-ring in America. The speaker referred to the attempted protection of distilleries in New Zealand, some years ago, by the imposition of a heavy duty on spirits. He quoted leading American and Victorian papers in favour of free trade, and condemned the system of offering bonuses for different industries as diverting capital into channels where it would not naturally flow.

Mr Dawson seconded. The opposition, which was of a formal nature, was opened by Mr Lee, and seconded by Mr Jamieson. It was principally devoted to picking holes in the arguments of the other side. Free trade was declared carried by the casting vote of the chairman. It was resolved that Wednesday evening the 15th instant, be devoted to songs, reading, recitations, &c. Messrs Lee, Ginger, and Dawson, were appointed to arrange a programme. Next subject for debate will be “ The use of corporal punishment in our Public Schools,” which will be introduced by Mr Lee. - A recitation (“Tam O’Shanter ”) by Mr Guthrie, concluded the evening’s proceedings.