Mid-Canterbury Annual Debate

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 61, Issue 2, 15 August 1940, Page 150

Mid-Canterbury Annual Debate

R. INCH,

District Secretary, Mid-Canterbury.

THERE was a large attendance at the Mayfield A. & P. Association rooms on July 1, when the annual debate between the Young Farmers’ Clubs in Mid-Canterbury for the Rotary Cup was held. The debate was keenly contested, the subject being “That the Activities of the Department of Agriculture Are in the Best Interests of the Farmer.” The '* Mayfield Chairman, Mr. M. F. Mulligan, welcomed the visitors, and then vacated the chair to Mr. J. Fleming, District ; Chairman. Mr. Fleming introduced Mr. S. Freeman, Dominion Organising Secretary, and Father Daly, Ashburton, who acted as judge for the contest.

. The Mayfield team (M. F. Mulligan, E. Rowel, and L. Doyle) took the affirmative in the first round, with the Hinds team, E. Rhodes, L. Watson, and E. Withell, as their opponents. In the second round, Ashburton (J. Burrowes, S. Watson, and C. Davidson), affirmative, debated with Methven (R. Penny, G. Macale, and R. Wightman, negative). After rhe supper interval, Father : Daly reviewed the debates. He gave his decision to the Hinds team as winners, and criticised the points of the various speeches, explaining their weaknesses and showing how these could

be avoided. He specially mentioned the two best speakers, J. Burrowes and R. Wightman, who were first equal in the individual marking. Mr. W. H. Amos presented the cup on behalf of the Rotary Club, and congratulated the speakers on their great improvement since the previous year. The Hinds team will represent MidCanterbury at the inter-district debate to be held in Ashburton during August. Votes of thanks to Mayfield for their hospitality and to Father Daly for acting as judge brought the evening to a . close.