BAPTIST BIBLE CLASS

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 8

BAPTIST BIBLE CLASS

AN INTERESTING DEBATE.

The Southland Young Men’s Baptist Bible Class Debating Society met last Wednesday to hold their frotnightly debate. The subject for the evening was “That the motorvehicle has been of benefit to New Zealand.

Mr B. Harper, the first speaker for the affirmative mentioned how in the past horses and handcarts had been used, which meant long hours and short life. He also contrasted the old method delivering mail to the present rural delivery. Transport from place to place was by means of coaches, then came the railway and now the charabanc which was more comfortable, reliable and speedy which, he added, made the individual life longer. The second speaker for the affirmative, Mr J. Crozier, in turn went on to deal with the tourists. Tourists came from all parts of the world and spent thousands of pounds while touring to the different resorts such as To Anau, Manapouri and Milford.

Mr C. Harper, the first speaker for the negative, stated that there were two things which concerned a country, wealth and welfare. He drew attention to great empires that made history Greece, Spain Rome and. Egypt. While these aimed at attaining a high state of public welfare they prospered but as soon as wealth became their object they commenced to fall. His opponents tried to tell him that the motor vehicle was of benefit to New Zealand, but unless they could produce facts that the motor vehicle assisted in the welfare of New Zealand their oratory would be as the prattling of new borne babes who knew nothing of the sound they articulated. The welfare of a country hinged on its health and he proceeded to show how the motor vehicle undermined the health of citizens. Mr E. Roberts dealt with the moral part of the debate and stated that motor vehicles had a place essential to every country if legitimately used, but the way some were used nowadays was far from beneficial to the country.

In the reply debate Mr C. Harper the leader of the negative said the affirmative had stated many things. He admitted the car was good for certain distances but when it came to long distances could not be compared with standard for comfort and style such as the railway. Mr B. Harper, leader of the affirmative, commenced his reply by saying “a brother is born for adversity.” He was quite sure the motor vehicle was not easily to be dispensed with, and asked what would the country be like if in the morning one woke up and found no cars. The judge for the evening was Mr Robertson who gave some very encouraging remarks as well as some very helpful criticism which was appreciated by all. The subject for next debate is “That bitumen is superior to gravel.”