DEBATING SOCIETY.

Patea Mail, 10 July 1882, Page 3

DEBATING SOCIETY.

As the formation of something to take the shape of a mutual improvement or political debating society has been hinted at in these columns several times, it may not be out of place to suggest that such a society take the form of a local Parliament. In the English provincial papers one is struck by the frequent mention of bodies of this nature. In these Parliaments everything is carried out in true Parliamentary style. Matters of general interest are introduced by the Government, and in the event of a majority of members being against the body in power, a vote of want of confidence is tabled. Benches, speakers, whips&c., are all there.

Should such an institution be in favor here, politics of both Colonial and English Governments might be debated on ; the latter being introduced when Colonial politics ran dull, and in this way the interest would be sustained. As it is acknowledged by leading authorities that from debating societies &c. we may expect our future legislators, there ought to be no difficulty in starting a local Parliament, as would-be orators are here in abundance. Topics are accumulating even from this Session : the West Coast Peace, Preservation and Indemnity Bills, the attempted aid to Denominational Schools' the Affirmation and Law Practitioners Bills, would all afford food for debate* Trusting this may lead some of our local politicians to take the matter up, I remain, &c.,

Debater