Y.F.C. DEBATE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 46, 27 June 1947, Page 3

Y.F.C. DEBATE

CROPPING ON THE FARM NARROW WIN ON POINTS On Thursday evening teams representing the Awakeri and High School Young Farmers’ Clubs met at the High School to debate the subject “That supplementary arable cropping is unnecessary on a dairy farm in the Whakatane district.” Mr G. N. Gordon was in the chair. I Case For Grass Alone Opening the debate for the High School team, which took the affirmative, B. Mundy outlined the various aspects of the subject that would be dealt with by his team, and himself spoke of the climatic advantages in the Bay of Plenty that en-

sured a good growth of grass and rendered cropping unnecessary. He displayed some merit in anticipat--1 ing the arguments of his opponents and attacking their weak points. Following him J. Prince dealt with the labour shortages on farms, and capably argued the advantages of hay in the light of what a farmer could produce almost single-handed with the aid of modern machinery. Concluding for the High School team P. Walker expounded the merits of prairie grass, and gave details of its cultivation. Cropping Has Good Points

The leader of the Awakeri team, A. C. Martin, made a point of the pride of crop that was a distinct incentive to good farming. ' His successor, R. A. Brown, presented the best case for his side, adducing facts and figures regarding maize and root crops grown in the district and their value-an ensuring a balanced diet.

| The third Awakeri speaker, S. Luttrell, attacked his opponents’ arguments by pointing to : the possibility of bad weather ruining a hay crop, an eventuality which was unlikely with root crops. The respective leaders in their replies did their best to point out weaknesses in the other’s case, but neither was very effective in summarising his own.

Team Work Wins In announcing his decision the adjudicator, Mr A. Breward, mentioned various faults in planning, speaking, deportment, and tactics for the benefit of contestants.

In actual speaking the Awakeri representatives were superior, but better team work was the victory to the High School Club by the narrow margin of 216 points to 211.