YOUNG FARMERS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 59, Issue 45, 2 December 1938, Page 6

YOUNG FARMERS.

THE INTER-CLUB DEBATE

: METHVEN MEMBERS SUCCESS- : FUL. Th;a first inter-club debate for young farmers in the Ashburton 2 County was held at Methven, when * teams representing Ashburton, Hinds, .. Mayfield ffnd Methven debated on the ' subject “That the young farmer of to- » day has greater opportunities than his * grandfather had.” " Mr C. Wightman introduced Mr R. >J. Low (advisory president of the Methven Club), who welcomed a large gathering of visitors from all parts of the County. After the judge (Mr E. J. Wood) had outlined the conditions, the debate commenced with the Mayfield Club supporting the affirmative and Methven the 'negative. These teams were followed by the Hinds (affirmative) and Ashburton Club (negative).

The speakers were: Ashburton Club G. Moorhead (leader), D. Cretney and D. Middlemiss. Mayfield Club—R. Mulligan (leader) L. Doyle, and C. Sewell. Hinds Club —L. Watson (leader), J. Tait and D. G. Tait. Methven Club —R. Penny (leader) J. Vallanoe and C. Wightman.

The competition was a. very keen one with a very close result, tile Met liven Club proving the winners by a small margin. At the conclusion of the debates, the judge congratulated all the speakers on their fine efforts and pointed out that in some cases the speeches were particularly meritorious considering that several young farmers had had no previous debating experience. He further congratulated the young farmers Clubs for supporting the competition which fostered in their midst, one of the most important of the cultural arts, public speaking. The points raised during the debate showed a sound knowledge of such subjects as the scientific development in agriculture, diseases in crops and stock, early history of and the land development iii the county and the courses of land value, costs and prices. In an instructive and constructive criticism of the speeches Mr Wood laid the foundation for a high standard of public speaking in the Young Farmers’ Clubs in the County. Votes of thanks were passed to tiie judge, Mr Wood, Mr Low and Mr Kin gam as chairman and timekeeper, and Mr V. IP. Boot (the district secretary of Young Farmers’ Clubs) for organising the competition. At the conclusion of the discussion the visitors were the guests of the Methven Club. Mw Boot made it known that the Ashburton Rotary Club had shown interest in the welfare of the young fanners of the county by donating a challenge cup for annual competition in the inter-club debating competition. This cup would be presented to the winning Methven team at a Rotary Luncheon in the New Year, when the team and some members of the district committee executive would be guests of the Rotary Club. This generous gesture was greatly appreciated by the members and whole-hearted applause greeted the announcement, the cup providing additional incentive, which will assure the future success of the competition next year, when the Hinds District Club will be tine hosts for the evening.