Pahiatua Debating Society.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 239, 12 December 1894, Page 2

Pahiatua Debating Society.

The Fshistus Literary and Debating Society met in the Town Hall cm Monday evening. The Preaidant, the Her W. H. Philip, occupied the ehsir. Mr Haggen was present and delivered an address en '* bi-metahsiu and state banks." Ha spoke for fully an hour and tned to prove that an improvement can be mads in our currency by makmgsilver legal tender, and that a further improvement can be effected I by instituting a State bank ; by the issae i of paper money and by giving loaas to settlers at 2 per cent cm one half the produce of the farmer. He showed that ! the tendency is to have less gold in circulation and to have more gold u*ed m jewellery. At the close of lus address, which was li»tened to most attentively by a large audience. Mr Uaggrn invited members of the Society and visitors to n*k questions or stale objections to what had lx*en advanced. Mr Ragle asked a question about the most desirable kind or currency, and Mr Haggen said that whilst bi metallism is good, s Stats bank would be better still. Mr Orr asked whether ths lecturer wished to condemn the elieap money scheme of the Government, the answer wa* that the scheme is good but doe* not go far enough and that i nancy may be had cheaper still. Mr 1L P. Greville asked s question about the relative value of ’Ah worth ef silver and coins of the same value, but the answer given did not make the matter clear.

Mr Crosbte asked how the ratepayers cun compel the Government to inaugurate a State bank The answer given was. by voting for a candidate who will vote for such a measure.

On the motion of Mr Reese, seeondod bv Mr R. I*. iireville. a heartv vote of thanks was accorded Mr li.vggsn for bis lucid and interesting address on a question of vital interest to the community.

In the coui«e of hi* noire** Mr Haugen referred to three large diagrams hung on the wall by which ho made plain an ia tricafe subject.