OTAUTAU NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 22107, 30 August 1933, Page 9

OTAUTAU NOTES

PRESENTATION. (From Our Correspondent.) Prior to his departure for the. West Coast Mr T. Peek was met by the local railway staff. Mr H. Farr, in asking him to accept a tobacco pouch as a token of esteem and goodwill, wished him every success in his new sphere. Messrs A. McDermid and T. Peace also endorsed these remarks, after which the recipient suitably acknowledged the gift, stating that he was leaving the district to gain promotion. Benefit Concert A number of local young people have been assiduously practising for some time with the object of assisting worthy causes in the district. They made their initial appearance before an Otautau audience on Wednesday evening, and were accorded a good reception by a representative gathering of citizens. Practically every item of the programme, which mostly comprised negro melodies, was encored, and the funds of the dental clinic, district nurse committee and unemployed should benefit materially as a result of the function. The orchestra consisted of the following: Messrs Jellyman (piano), M. Coulter (cornet), D. Roberts (saxophone), McKinnon (violin), J. Thomson and Harold Smyth (banjos). The following items were given: Opening chorus, company; songs, Messrs A. Matheson, T. Stroud, A. Matheson, Sinclair, T. Stroud; instrumental item, orchestra; songs, company; Messrs A. Coulter, E. 'Leckie, the company, Mr A. Coulter; local hits, Mr A. Coulter; songs, Messrs A. Matheson, W. Liddell, H. Bates; instrumental item, orchestra; songs, Messrs E. Leckie, W. Liddell and T. Stroud (duet), ,G. Sinclair, J. Mills, Harold Smyth; A. Matheson and W. Liddell (duet); chorus company. Farmers’ Union. There was a good attendance at the meeting of the Aparima branch of the Farmers’ Union in the supper room of the Town Hall on Saturday evening when Mr J. D. Clouston (president) occupied the chair. A letter was received from the Hon. A. Hamilton, M.P., acknowledging receipt of a letter protesting against the action of the Wallace Hospital Board in severing its connection with the Waipiata Sanatorium, the writer stating the matter was receiving his attention. Mr Hamilton stated that he apprecated the value of sanatoria in T.B. cases. Miss Muirhead, secretary, Otautau branch of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, wrote challenging the members to a debate on the subject, “Should women enter Parliament,” the letter stating that the women would take the affirmative, the speakers being Mesdames Cuppies and Evans and Miss J. Collie.—The secretary reported that he had accepted the challenge on behalf of the Aparima branch, which would take the negative. His action was endorsed and a date was arranged for the debate. Mr Adamson, secretary, Southland Provincial Executive, wrote with reference to the publication of Meat Producers’ Board prices, and trusted an agreement would be reached shortly whereby the request could be acceded to. With regard to the schedule of freezing companies it was suggested that a conference of the various interested parties be held at the beginning of the season for the purpose of drawing this up, and any adjustments could be made later on. Mr T. McKenzie submitted a report on the young farmers’ school which had been held in Invercargill and said that the students had thoroughly enjoyed themselves, both from an educational and social point of view. The week was an exceptional one, but the time at their disposal was too short. He gave an outline of what had been done and said that he considered the ages (18 to 24 years) too young, and expressed the opinion that it would have been better to raise them from 20 to 26 years. Messrs John Smith and Eric Collie endorsed Mr McKenzie’s remarks. In apologising for the other member of the party (Mr S. Ayton) Mr J. M. Ayton said the school had been well organized, and thanks were due to those responsible for providing an interesting week for the boys. Debate. At the close of the meeting a debate was held between the Nightcaps and Aparima branches of the Farmers’ Union, the former taking the negative and the latter the affirmative. The subject chosen was: "Should party politics be abolished in New Zealand?” Mr J. M. Ayton was appointed chairman and timekeeper and Dr Reekie acted as judge. In opening for the affirmative Mr F. E. Anderson said it was time party politics were abolished, as they were out-of-date, unwieldy, and had outlived their usefulness. He referred to the fact that there were 80 members of Parliament and 21 members of the Legislative Council who were drawing large salaries, and expressed the opinion that these should be abolished and a council elected by the people which would work for the good of the greatest number.

In support Mr S. Ay ton said they were living in an advanced age, and he favoured free thought, free speech and the abolition of party politics. The laws and Acts of Parliament which had been formulated 50 or 60 years ago were obsolete, and every man should be able to vote as he pleased. Mr Clouston favoured the election of representatives by executive meetings and said by this means they would, get better representation and men with better brains to look after the interests of the country. For the negative Mr J. Lyiteh said that in times of depression sucli hs they were passing through, there was always a tendency to blame someone, and new ideas and systems were put forward. They should hesitate to throw a system overboard which had proved the best and most equitable in any democratic country. The responsibility rested with the party for putting forward a platform, and the individual members were responsible to the party. History had shown that the party system had functioned perfectly in the British Empire, and had evolved great men both in the Homeland and New Zealand. There was no alternative to party politics except a dictatorship or absolute monarchy, and he did not wish either of these. Mr Peter Sinclair inquired what other form of Government the opposition would institute in the strenuous times they were passing through, and said the party system was worthy of the support of every right-thinking citizen. It had been established many years ago for the purpose of gaining, power, and was not the Farmers Union formed for the very same reason? , , ~ . Mr J. Collie dealt with the subject from the viewpoint of economy and efficiency, and stated that a one-sided government would lead to false economy. Under the present system any new proposals were subjected to severe cross-examination by the opposition and any weakness or unfairness was discussed and generally rectified. After the leaders had replied a general discussion took place. In summing up Dr Reekie said a little more time should have been allowed to the speakers as they were just getting into their stride when they were pulled up, and a more interesting debate would have taken place. The discussion had proved more interesting than the debate. He awarded the verdict to the affirmative with a margin of five points. Mr Anderson thanked the members of the Nightcaps branch and expressed

the opinion that it was good to see people taking such an interest in current affairs. On behalf of the visitors Mr J. Lynch thanked the local members for their hospitality, the chairman for his services, and the judge for his summing up. Mr Ayton said he was pleased to see so many friends from Nightcaps, and thanked them for the able manner in which they had put forward their case. A vote of thanks to Dr Reekie for officiating was carried by acclamation. WEDDING. YOUNG—MAY. A quiet wedding of interest to residents of the Otautau district was celebrated at Clydevale on Tuesday afternoon, August 22, when Annie Louise, third daughter of Mr and Mrs W. May, “Bayswater,” Clydevale (and formerly of Bayswater) was married to Noel, elder son of Mr and Mrs P. Young, Highgate, Dunedin. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a charming Nile green suit, with matching blouse and scarf and white felt hat, and carried a sheaf of maidenhair fern, jonquils and narcissi. The bridegroom was attended by Mr Alex. Forbes, Invercargill, as best manAfter the ceremony, which was performed by the Rev. Mr Mitchell, the guests adjourned for the wedding tea, when a small toast list was duly honoured, and a large number of congratulatory telegrams read. The beautiful two-tier wedding cake was made by Mrs May and iced by a friend of the bride, Mrs Key. When the young couple left on a motor tour for their honeymoon, the bride wore a black tailored costume, a pink felt hat, and carried a black sueae hand-bag. Prior to the wedding the young couple were entertained at a kitchen evening by the residents of the district and members of the Women’s Institute, and also were the recipients of a case of stainless cutlery from the Tennis, Hockey, Cricket and Football Club members.