UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 521, 31 May 1909, Page 4

UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

SELF-GOVERNMENT TO INDIA. A largo audience was present at the fourth mooting ot the Victoria Collego Debating Society on Saturday evening, when a motion to the effect tliat "tho granting, of solf-gov-ernment to India is in tlio best interests of India and of the British Empire" was discussed. ■ ■ t Tlio motion was moved by Mr. D. S. Smith, seconded by Mr. C. H. Taylor, while Mr. 0. H. Gibb, seconded by Mr. J. Hogben, opposed it. ' The movers contendod that the deep, longing for self-government which manifested itself in agitation and uprisings must, bo satisfied'if India was to be retained as part of tho British' Empire. Self-Kovornment would have an educativo effect; indeed, tho limited amount of self-govornmeut grunted had shown that tho Hindus were well fitted to control -their own destiny. Tho. Bystem of cos to was of purely religious signification, and did not prevent tW political union of all classes. British administration was of necessity out of touch with tho desires and aspirations of tho native raco. Corruption and jobbery wero not peculiar, to India, but flourished in America and most European countries. Macaulny and Mill both recognised that self-government was tho only solu. tion of India's problems—tho only may in which tho weak link in the Empire might be made tho strongest. Finally the movers asked what did material gain count for i( liberty was-denied. _ ■ Tho opposors replied that tho time was not yet ripo for Belf-govbrnraont for India, which was not tho Utopia pictured by the movers. Its history was the story of oppression, dis. order, and instability of government, end it was only British control that brought whole, soir.o administration and peace. British administrators had dono nuieli to ameliorate the condition of the natives, but entered sym. pathetically into tlioir ideals and customs, and had prevented a relapso into the former condition of turmoil and strngglo. India, with her different states, languages, and dialeota was comparable to Enropo, and without British control would havo no real unity. Fin. ally so-ejillcd liberty would not benefit tli< people, beoauso education was still very, ro' stricted. 1 Tivelvo membors took part in the debate and the motion on boinn: put was declared lost by 21 votes to 6. Mr. F. M.! B. Fisher, M.P., who judged the debate, placed the first ftvo speakers as ■ follow Messrs. D. S. Smith, C; H. Taylnr, .T. Hogben, H. Moni aglinii, and R. M, Buthclier. At the next meeting of the society to be held on Saturd.iv, Juno 12, tho motion for discussion is: "Thtft the efficiency of tlio Ncnr Zealand worker lies suffered through, recent labour legislation."