MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 86, 22 September 1915, Page 3

MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY.

The «tortniahi ly meeting of the above was held in the Parish Hall on Monday evening, Mr C. West, president, being in the chair. Afttr the usual routine Lusiness was disposed of, the president stated that the debate for the evening was on the question "la America justified in the s and she is taking in relation to the pr sent war?" Mr W V L. Wist rpened the debate with a clehr and interesting statement of the care for the affirmative. He said that it was not America's qu&ml, and rhe had no real c»ll to plunge her people into war. Mr West quoted figures to show what America had already done in the way of supplying the Allies with equipmunt, and munitions of war, and he ssid that Fhe could net have rendered this great assistance if she herself were in the war.

Mr Hosking led the negative side, and stated that Ameiira was not justified in mc'ly makirg capital out of t>e mile while Britain watt shedding htr blued in defence of the very liberty which America was enjoying. During his speech Mr Poshing replied to some of Mr West's statements, giving his reasons tor r jacting them. Mr 0. Mellsop strongly supported Mr West, upholding the present attitude of America as the most reasonable ore under the circumstances, He pointed out that leading men in Engl ant', America and Japan were of the same opinion. America was doing a very great deal to help the Allies, and would cause a revolution amongst her own people it slir. took an active part in the hrstilities.

In a veiy Stirling speech, Mr Oldfield, junr., attacked America's attitude, pointing cut that the magnitude of the contjict, the sacrfd is:ues involved, and the enemy's inhuman methods of war fare, demanded the actual intervention of our American cousins, who had bad pier.ty of time to prepare, and who *ere not »t all justified in merely selling the Allies munitions and sending mcanirgUss "Notes" to Germany.

The folluwng memieis also took part in the discussion: Mrs W. West, Kevs. Barr and Fussell, and Mr Shehan (all suppoiting the negative side), and Miss G. Barriball, Mr Wyness and Mr J. Wallace (attiimative).

After Mr W. West had replied to opponent', a vote was tiken on the merits of the clilferer.t argument?, and the audience decided in lavour ol the affirmative. Then after some iniormal discussion a vote \vnß taken on the question itself, an overwhelming majotity supporting the nigative, i.e., that America w;s rot justified in her attitude.

During the discussion the chairman expri sied 'eurpuse that the Methodisti of Germany should be oppoairg Britain. Mr 0. Mfllsop did (ot (]<iite undeistand what the chairman meant by the "Mftfco lists of Germany," to a member ?tood up a'd said that German Mithodists dill'trid from English Methodistß even as Ginran measles differed trom English. (Hearty laughter). That seemed lo settle the question. There was a large attendance of meinbsrs aid vifitcrs, who followed the oiscussinn with the keenest interest, giving Loth sideß an excellent hearing. 'i he next r veiling is to be an open one, on October 4tb, the programme to be supplied l y the men members.