DEBATING CONTEST

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 32, 2 October 1946, Page 8

DEBATING CONTEST

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

WAIKATO’S NARROW-MARGIN WIN

Considerable interest has of late centred round the debating contest sponsored by the Young Farmers’ Clubs throughout -New Zealand, and in which the Waimana team won its right to represent Eastern Bay against Waikato in the inter-area contest. This took place recently against a team from Kakapuku (representing Waikato), which won the debate by the narrow margin of five and a half points. The subject which was argued was: “That N.Z. Railways System is Obsolete,” the Waimana team taking the negative. The standard attained throughout the contest was good, and the conduct of the debate was excellent, no personalities of any kind being indulged in by any speaker. The affirmative team, although the winners on points, was not the better balanced side (states the official report) and neither was its general standard of debating as high as that of the negative side. In the affirmative team, there was a difference of 14J points between individual members, as against 3 points in the negative team. A critical analysis of the points shows that in Subject Matter, Eloquence, Deportment, Reasoning and General Teamwork, the Waimana side was the .better, but lost many points in the Criticism and Summary. In each instance but one, the margin of points between the two teams was not great, and up to and including general teamwork, Waimana led by 5| points. The leader of the side, however, did not space his time correctly in his Criticism and Summary, and dropped points heavily.* The affirmative side, which possessed a highly experienced leader, gained the advantage of one point in Criticism and lOg in Summary. General notes made by the judges during the contest show that the age of individual members, of the affirmative side was greater than that of the Waimana speakers. The standard of grammar used was fair, but it was indicated that points in connection with the vise of voice and expression, correctness of subject matter, deportment, use of notes and teamwork could be improved. All in all, the contest was highly successful, and members of the Waimana team must be congratulated on 'their fine effort.