A LOCAL WANT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVI, Issue 125, 31 May 1904, Page 2

A LOCAL WANT.

It has been a matter of considerable comment for some time that in a town of New Plymouth's dimensions and pretensions no form of evening amusement is provided by any society having for its object not only the edification of its members but the broadening of their views and extension of their knowledge of current affairs. Other towns have their mutual improvement societies, debating clubs, parliamentary unions, and «:o forth, our neighbouring town of Stratlord being most notable for its excellent parliamentary union, comprised of gentlemen of all ranks and all ages, where most useful and instructive debates are regularly held on matters of interest to the whole community. The consequence is of course, that those members who nffif a \ tQad afe obtaim »S a good insight into social, national ami international affairs,-besides beccnine conversant with the laws of debate and proficient in their use of the Lnglish tongue. There can he no better form of pastime than that which not only pleasantly passes the houis away but also confers- lasting benefits on those who favour this particular form of amusement. Last d e' S 'i I ,? in ' StilUlio » was formal hoc, but Irom many causes, prin"cty attempted to do t (JO m„ c |, m u^i te^ a^s,,s p r^' "'embers to tee inevitable slump " M amateur oratory Uuu , , . 1 " ''<>»«. by the long sum,,-,,- , t ' s and no consequent ottMoor , i,t ment, some enthusiast uouhl erenow Have set the ba n ~,„; «o that the institution imViu -u •started on its second year of use'l l"' "ess It is with gratincntiou, then" that we notice that the two your..' ministers recently appointed to th° circuits of the Methodist churches here, are of one mind in this matter,

and arc most anxious that something should he done in order to give the youth of New Plymouth, and their elders, too, that iorni of entertainment which is so much to be desired. Revs. Williams and WoolloxaH, could they be brought together, might do much in this direction. At present each lms his own scheme, hut it would he much preferable if these two energetic workera could meet and devise a plan of operations that would end in the formation of a debating club that would be non-sectarian as regards its membership, and a means of doing much good socially and educationally in the town.