Wanganui District Debate

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 61, Issue 2, 15 August 1940, Page 151

Wanganui District Debate

A. R. DINGWALL,

District Secretary, Wanganui.

A DEBATE in the first round of the Wanganui District contest was held in the Clifton Hall, Bulls, on July 4, the subject being “That Girls Should Be Admitted to Young Farmers’ Clubs.” The Bulls Club team, comprising F. Thorby (leader), S. H. LastHarris, and C. Mullins, took the affirmative, against the Westmere Club team, J. Taylor (leader), K. Taylor, and W. Chesswass, who took the negative. Mr. R. A. Dalrymple, Advisory President of the Bulls Y.F.C., presided, and Mr. Laurenson, Marton, acted as adjudicator. \ Apart from discussion of the more serious considerations, the subject under debate permitted scope for treatment in lighter vein, and contestants availed themselves of the opportunities to exploit both aspects to the full. The affirmative team championed the admission of girls to clubs because of their organising abilities, quick intellect, and promptness in taking action, but this was humorously countered by reference to knitting, gossip, distraction caused by the fair sex on the farms, and by the pronouncement that “woman’s place was in the home.” After seventy minutes of friendly rivalry the decison was given to the affirmative by the narrow margin of

315 points to 313, the adjudicator commenting very favourably on the debating ability shown by the contestants. As winners in this round the Bulls Club team will compete against Marton Club in the second round, and the winners of this contest will meet the finalists in the Waimarino-Manga-weka-Taihape triangular contest, which is at present being carried out.