UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVII, Issue 115, 17 May 1909, Page 4

UNIVERSITY DEBATING SOCIETY.

The third meeting of the Victoria College Debating Society, held on Saturday evening, was well attended. A motion : "That tlie Asiatic nations will, within the next 150 years, predominate as world Powers," was discussed. The motion was moved by Miss B. Reeve and seconded by Miss M. E. Barkas, while Miss E. N. Sampson, supported by Miss A. E. Currie, opposed it. The movers contended that China and Japan in particular had adopted the legal systems of Europe, reformed their administration, and had assimilated Western civilisation. Their population and resources were very great, while their industry, commerce, and national spirit pointed to their future greatness. There was a spirit of nationalism abroad in the East. Japan, it was very probable, would be paramount on the sea. The .opposers, in reply, maintained that material resources would not make the Asiatic nations great. The nature of the Asiatic mind unfitted the Eastern Powers for predominance in arms, learning, and commerce. Moreover, the Asiatic had not the virility of the Westerner, and his past history indicated a weak military instinct. I Fifteen members took part in the debate. The motion was declared lost by 19 to 8. Mr. A. E. Atkinson, who judged the debate, placed the first five speakers as follows : —Messrs. J. Hogben, W. J. M'Eldovvney, J. Dudley. H. W. Monaghan, and Miss M. R. Barkas. At the next meeting of the society, to be held on Saturday, 29th May, the motion for discussion is : "That the granting of self-government to India, is in the best interests of India and of the British Emjjire."

"Mr. Davey is a remarkably goodtempered man. I have never seen him out of temper. I have seen him pretty warm on the floor of the House, but he is level-headed, and most people, even those who arc bad-tempered, can do things better when they control their tempers. Mr. Davey is a shining example to members of the Hcufc, and especially the Ministry." That was the compliment the Prime Minister paid Mr. T. H. Davey at the gathering held in the latter's honour at Chribtchnrch on Tuesday, reports the Lyttelton Times. For Bronchial Coughs take Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Is 6d and 2s 6d. —Advl.