YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 57, 23 July 1947, Page 5

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUBS

DEBATE FINALISTS OPOTIKI v WHAKATANE D.H.S. Last week on Tuesday the finalists in the Eastern Bay contest met at the High School to debate upon the assertion “That the motor car has impaired the well being of mankind.”

The affirmative was taken by the Opotiki Young Farmers and the negative view was upheld by the Whakatane High School Club. Despite the fact that the Opotiki visitors had travelled the 50 miles to Whakatane in a comfortable car, it would appear that their hearts yearned for the leisurely jolting of the stage-coach and the tingling feel of the crisp air upon their cheeks—and noses.

The Whakatane boys were not the least bit concerned about their lack of enthusiasm for the aesthetic values of slow travel and scenic wonders. The luxury of the modern limousine was something that they did not scorn at all. In fact they warmed so to their subject that it would have done the hearts of car salesmen good to have listened to them. j

The unblushing claims of these same salesmen might even have received further subtle augmentation. Speaking seriously, however, the debate was skilfully and closely contested to result in a win by the barest of margins for the Opotiki team.

The results indicated clearly what training, keenness and hard work can do to overcome the natural diffidence of youth to speak in public.

Mr Les Brown was obviously impressed by the debating ability displayed for in presenting the cup donated by his firm, The N.Z. Loan and Mercantile Coy., to the winning team he remarked that it was very evident that the dull boy of the family could no longer be regarded as fit material for the farm.

Mr Brown congratulated the Opotiki team very warmly upon its success and both teams upon the able way in which they had conducted their debate. The teams were:— Opotiki: T. Brown, I. Grant, L. Joblin.

Whakatane: B. Mundy, J. Prince, A. Pryor.