Mutual Work

Mutual Work. Propositions for Debate. The general boards have approved of the following subjects for debate. The committee on debates has arranged a list of references — general, for the affirmative, and for the negative. These are printed in a small pamphlet and will be supplied to the ward presidents for the use of their debaters, upon application to the general secretaries Y. M. or Y. L. M. I. A., Salt Lake City, Utah:

1. Naturalization. — Proposition: The naturalization laws of the United States should be made more stringent.
2. Direct Legislation. — Proposition: The system of direct legisla- tion by the people should be more generally adopted in the United States.
3. Proportional Representation. — Proposition: Legislative bodies should be chosen by a system of proportional representation.
4. The Popular Election of Senators. — Proposition: A constitu- tional amendment should be adopted, providing that United States sen- ators be selected by direct vote of the people.
5. The Monroe Doctrine. — Proposition: The Monroe Doctrine should be continued as a part of the permanent foreign policy of the United States.
6. Reciprocity with Canada. — Proposition: A reciprocal commercial treaty should be concluded between the United States and Canada.
7. Shipping Subsidies. Proposition: The United States should establish a more extensive system of shipping subsidies.
8. Postal Savings Banks. — Proposition: A system of postal sav- ings banks should be established in the United States.
9. Government Ownership of Railways. — Proposition: The rail- ways of the United States should be owned and operated by the government.
10. A Postal Telegraph. — Proposition: The government should

90 IMPRO YEMENI ERA . maintain and operate a teles:raph system in connection with the post- office. 11. Municipal Transportation. — Proposition: Street railways should be owned and operated by municipalities. 12. Compulsory Industrial Arbitration. — Proposition: Boards of Arbitration with compulsory powers should be established to settle dis- putes between employers and wage-earners. Circular of Suggestions. A supply of circulars entitled "Suggestions to Stake Superintendents and Ward Officers, ' ' for the guidance of officers during the present season, has been distributed to the various wards of the Church. We trust that those who are engaged in doing business with the Era office will care- fully read these suggestions. In this connection we desire also to call attention to the necessity of being prompt. No subscription should be held in the hands of the agent, but should be forwarded immediately to the office; no orders for manuals should be neglected, nor funds withheld for any length of time. It is a very important matter, as far as principle goes, to be careful of trust funds. While we have no general complaint, cases have arisen where agents have been very careless in remitting to the office, causing complications between the subscriber and the office, which should not exist. The careful reading of the circular, and prompt- ness in collecting and remitting for books. Eras, manuals, etc., will make us all happy and friendly. Canvass for Subscriptions. A supply of blank subscription sheets for the new volume fourteen of the Improvement Era has been distributed to the officers of the associations throughout the Church, and we trust that the agents will use them in ordering volume fourteen. The canvass for this volume should be made immediately, if the work has not already been done. A little effort put forth now will bring results, There should not be a settlement in the Church where it is not possible to obtain five per cent of the Church population as subscribers for the Era. We believe that people who once subscribe for and read the magazine will be easily induced to subscribe again. Now let the work, therefore, be taken up

MUTUAL WORK. 91 by those appointed to it, and prosecuted in a thoroughly systematic manner, so that every family in the Church shall be asked to subscribe. Do You Favor Boxing with Gloves as a Part of M. I. A. Athletic Sport? The committee on athletics and field sports presented the following on the above question at a recent meeting of the General Board: "We do not favor boxing for exhibition, as the number of par- ticipants will necessarily be limited, and the spectators will derive no benefit. Its tendency is to degenerate into fighting, and therefore we do not encourage it as a part of M. I. A. sport, while we think it permissible in moderation, when indulged in for exercise only. Respectfully, Lyman R. Martineau, Hyrura M. Smith. B. F. Grant. The report was unanimously adopted by the Board. Additional Conjoint Meetings. The following resolution was passed by the general board Y. M. M. I. A. some time ago: Whereas, The general board Y. L. M. I. A. has made provision, in their program for the next season's work, for one conjoint meeting with the Y. M. M. I. A. each month, in addition to the regular Sunday night conjoint meeting, therefore be it Resolved, By the general board Y. M. M. I. A., that we concur in the action of the general board Y. L. M. I. A., and advise all Y. M. M. I. associations to join with the Y. L. M. I. A. to provide suitable programs for these nights, to consist of debates, readings, lectures, concerts or other suitable exercises. New Zealand M. I. A. Elder 0. R. Johnson, writing to the Messenger, the organ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints of the New Zealand mission, from Auckland, states that on June 8, 1910, their Mutual Improvement Association was reorganized, with Elders H. C. Perkins, president; 0. R. Johnson and Emma Ashmore, counselors; Dorius Mincher, secretary; Eva Watts, organist; and Elders Rulon C. Haacke and Noal Levy, chorister and librarian, respectively, of both organizations. They looked forward to the year 1910 to be the banner year for Auckland.