THE DEBATING SOCIETY

politics, and form a very valuable addition to the Library, where they are to be tiled and kept for future reference.

The following new books have been added in the course of the term :—

Collected Poems—Rupert Brooke; The English People—D. 1V. Brogan; One World—Vendell L. Wilkie; A Book about Books—F. Harrison; A Text Book of . Physical Chemistry—S. Glasstone • Modern English Literary Essays ; Modern English ' Essays (1938-41) ; The English Novel—an anthology ; A Primer of Literary Criticisaf—J. E. Hollingworth; Wireless for Beginners—C. Boltz.

We express our thanks to Mr. R. Doherty, the York City Librarian, for the gift Of two books—"How York Governs Itself" and "Whitehall in York," both by Morrell and Watson.

DEBATING SOCIETY.

President : THE HEADMASTER. Chairman : DR. B. G. WHITMORE, M.A., B.Sc. Secretary : G. WILSON. Committee : D. L. Pryer, T. C. Middleton, P. Simpson, P. F. Ringrose.

The first meeting of the term was held on Saturday, 19th January, when D. L. Pryer was called upon to propose that "Air-power has superseded sea-power." Pryer quoted Major Seversky's book "Victory through Air Power" to the effect that sea-power was now very much. out-moded. He emphasized the fact that the aeroplane was able to carry the war to the very heart of Germany and concluded by quoting the evacuation of Dunkirk and the sinking of the "Prince of Wales" as two events which would never have happened but for aircraft.

E. A. K. Denison, opposing the motion, stressed the point that Britain depended on her navy for supplies and if the sea-routes were not kept open she would starve, for sufficient supplies could not be obtained by air.

A. H. Terry, seconding the proposal, pointed out the ease with which aircraft could be made as compared to naval craft. He believed that much of the faith that was placed in sea-power was a relic of the glorious Elizabethan days and though the idea was picturesque, it was far from practical.

G. C. Norris, speaking fourth, attempted to dispose of the view that the sinking of the "Prince of Wales" and the evacuation of Dunkirk were victories for air-power.

A number of interesting speeches were forthcoming from the House and in their summing-up Pryer and Denison dealt with several of the questions put forward.

On being put to a vote the motion was defeated by 11 votes to 8.

The second debate of the term was held on Saturday, lath February, when P. F. Ringrose proposed "That the House of Lords is more fitted to rule this country than the House of Commons." He attempted to show that throughout the centuries England had been the premier country, thanks to the efforts of statesmen of whom the majority were members of the House of Lords. As soon as members of the House of Commons were given a hand in the government the country was in its present state.

G. Wilson, opposing the motion, said that members of the House of Lords were completely indifferent to what happened in the country and pointed out that even when the future of the House of Lords was in the balance only one-fifth of the members were present at the debate.

P. B. Toyer, speaking third, gave more examples in support of his colleague's argument and gave several examples of members of the House of Commons who were indifferent to the-government of the country.