INTERCLUB DEBATE

Evening Star, Issue 22086, 20 July 1935, Page 11

INTERCLUB DEBATE

DISCUSSION ON PREFERENTIAL TARIFFS ‘ That England Will Retain Her Dominions Only by a More Sympathetic System of Preferential Tariffs in the Marketing of Dominion Goods ’ was the subject of an interclub prepared debate held between the Christian Brothers’ High School and the’ Dunedin Hibernian Social and Debating Club. The affirmative was taken by the school team —Messrs G. F. Curran (leader), J. E. Hartstonge, and J. Bacos—and the negative by the club representatives: —Messrs G. Carroll (leader), S. Mee, and J. ■K. Dolan. Mr A. J. Dowling acted as judge. Mr Curran gave a brief survey of the present British tariff policy, stating that this would in time mean the loss of the dominions Mr Carroll held that there were ties other than those of trade which bound the dominions to England. What was required was not secession, but the development of the Home and foreign markets. Mr Hartstonge gave the reminder that England had made the mistake of losing the American colonies, and would be well advised to N grant preferential treatment .to the dominions rather than repeat the mistake. Mr Mee said the dominions could not afford to stand alone. Individually, they were defenceless and completely impotent in world affairs. Mr Bacos stated that the dominions should cultivate outside markets and gradually render themselves independent of Great Britain. Mr Dolan said the only alternative to remaining within the Empire would be alliance with a foreign Power, which would be repugnant to the dominions. After the leaders i had replied, the judge gave his decision in favour of the affirmative side, and declared Mr Hartstonge the best speaker of th« night.