LAW STUDENTS’ DEBATING SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 21433, 9 June 1933, Page 12

LAW STUDENTS’ DEBATING SOCIETY

* MID-VAGATIOH DEBATE On Monday evening last the Otago University Law Students’ Debating Society held its third debate. The proposition before the house was “ That India should bo granted Home Rule.” Mr P. S. Anderson had consented to act as judge, and the teams were as follow;—Affirmative, Messrs Moller and More; negative, Messrs Stevenson and Mowat. Mr Moller, in opening the debate, pointed out the evils existing under the British system of administration. He said England’s policy in regard to India was a selfish one, and the natives had every right to independence. Moreover, the British army in India was nothing more than an incubus on the taxpayers, and the Civil Service a means of livelihood for the wealthy unemployed of Great Britain. Much had been said of the disinterestedness of the Civil, servants—that vaunted disinterestedness was the trouble with India. Mr Stevenson, for the negative side, said India was not a nation. Her climate, peoples, and various religions rendered unity impossible. The Indian Nationalists were a small, dissatisfied party which did not represent tho people. The majority of Indian people did not care about Home .Rule, and as long as their needs were met they were more than satisfied. Mr More, for the affirmative, said India had been united under Mohammed. The lower classes were almost entirely spiritually-minded, and this life whs to them a mere preparation for the next. Thus they could not appreciate Western methods and development. Mr Mowat, in a logical and well-con-sidered speech, urged the need of Imperial unity. India was a mighty power in the British Commonwealth of Nations, and if she was granted Home Rule England’s position as an economic stabiliser in world affairs would be seriously impaired. Tho debate was then thrown open for discussion. Such subjects as Thuggism, child marriage, and divers religions were considered from a Western viewpoint. One member remarked that the practice of “ widows praying on the funeral pyres of their husbands hud been put down by the British.” When Messrs Moller and - Stevenson summed up. the judge placed the followipg speakers:—Mr Mowat 1, Messrs Moller and Stevenson (equal) 2, Mr More 4. The meeting ended with a hearty vote of thanks to the judge, pro--posed by Mr Moller.