GIRL ORATORS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19571, 18 August 1933, Page 9

GIRL ORATORS

UNDERGRADUATES STRONGLY OBJECT. LONDON, July 29. The introduction of women speakers to-night in the Oxford Union has caused a sharp division in the University. College tutors and dons are generally in favour of the innovation, but “scandalous,” “absurd” and “ridiculous were among the lighter epithets heard from men undergraduates. Mr Philip Stockil, who is to be the next editor of the “Isis.” said that, many junior members of the university had refused to go to the debate because women were to speak. Certainly the debating hall was half-empty, but the gallery was packed with girls anxious to hear their representatives debate. The audience which received the women speakers to-night may have been slight, but it was enthusiastic. Every epigram which dropped from their lips was received with vociferous applause. The women speakers, Miss Betty Russell and Miss Olive Corthom, spoke on the opposite sides of the motion. “That this house is not so black as it is painted.” Both spoke without notes. The motion was carried by 138 to 88.