WOODLANDS DEBATING SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23852, 24 June 1939, Page 5

WOODLANDS DEBATING SOCIETY

WOMEN’S PART IN PUBLIC LIFE DISCUSSED An unusual feature of the debate at the weekly meeting of the Woodlands Literary and Debating Society was that a team consisting entirely of women opposed a team of men. The subject was “That the advent of women into public life is beneficial.”

Mr S. Foley presided over a record attendance.

The affirmative was taken by Mrs Sansom (leader), Miss M. Giddings and Mrs Bell, and the negative by Mr J. Middlemiss (leader), Mr H. Piercy and Mr J. Trotter, jun. Mr J. Tait, of Invercargill, was judge. Mrs Sansom, in opening for the affirmative, referred to the benefit women had derived by having those of their own sex in public positions. There were matters concerning women which men did not understand. Such matters could only be dealt with in a sympathetic way by women. Mr Middlemiss, for the negative, said that a woman’s place was in the home. He referred to the declining birth-rate and attributed this to the entrance of women into public life. Miss Giddings, supporting the affirmative, stated that women had proved, not only equal to men in many professions, but in some cases were their superiors. They had to fight against the jealousy of men and had succeeded.

Mr Piercy praised the woman for her good qualities, but said that her energy was wasted in public life as that was something for which she was not suited. Mrs Bell, in dealing with the social aspect, said the reason why the Woodlands Debating Society had existed for 53 years could be attributed to the activity of its women members. She also referred to the benefits of the Women’s Institutes, particularly in the rural districts.

Mr Trotter spoke in humorous vein. He stated that he represented a section of the community which might be dalled the prospective bridegrooms. The women in public life, he felt sure, would not appeal to that section. After the leaders had summed up Mr Tait gave some useful advice and congratulated the speakers on the high standard of the debate. He gave his decision in favour of the women by a substantial majority.