THE Y.M.C.A.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 17 May 1907, Page 2

THE Y.M.C.A.

THE DEBATING SOCIETY

.About 20 members assembled last evening at fhe Y..M.C.A. Literary and Debating Society's fust meet ing. The programme uas "Impromptu Speeches." The ';i:bi|..|.. c boson wore very instru.--I i.e. ami afTnr.lecl veiy enthusiastic discussions. Regarding the House of Lords at Home it was the general opinion that as at present constituted it was a menace lo the nation. Some who were of a Social isl ic frame of mind advocated abolishing hereditary titles altogether, and thought that that body should be elected bv the people, when men would bc put there for what they themselves i were, not for what their great-grand-fathers had been. Another subject, "Will the British nation wake ud some dav to find herself a second or third-rate Power among the nations?" also afforded a lively discussion. One or two speakers, recent arrivals from Home, expressed the opinion that if on the peopKf of Britain herself depended the maintaining of her present position, such a possibility was not unlikely, owing to the fact that every year sees thousands of Britain's healthiest and brainiest sons leave for the colonies, while on the other hand as many of the scum of Europe pour in. Still it was thought that as long as Britain can keep her colonies she will maintain her present position. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, Rev. C. H. Garland, who conducted the meeting', terminated the proceedings. Next Thursday evening a debate will be held, the subject beine that "A White Australia is not possible." Messrs T. M. Grant and J. D. Symon will be the leaders. Regarding the proposed scheme of amalgamating with the Nelson Institute in having a common building, the Board of Management decided last evening to inform the executive body of the Institute that it does not see its way clear to fall in with the suggestions made by their deputation.