A FRIENDLY DEBATE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 7 August 1901, Page 2

A FRIENDLY DEBATE.

Last evening considerable interest VM evoked by the debate held in the Trinity Schoolroom between the Eumara and Trinity Literary societies. The Bev G. York presided, and in appropriate words introduced the speakers. The subject was “Should the Disabilities of Women be Removed 7 ” The Eumara society was well represented by three clergymen and a schoolmaster. The Bev. Mr Whitehouse led off in a splendid way absolutely disombowling his opponents who bad no grounds upon which to confound bis logical conclusions. His definitions of terms left no place of refuge for the opposition to shelter in, while hia clear cut arguments revealed the fact that a stem foe had entered the field. Hia speech was a masterpece of defence and no ap> proach was made to any border, whereby he could be assailed.

Mr Hodder opened for the Greymouth side and maintained that women’s rights had already received the most careful attention, and that they desired no further extension oeing made whereby their infinance in the home and domestic circle would be ruined- He made a courageous attempt and maintained his position doggedly. The Bev. Mr Clark next spoke for the Kumara side but failed to drive home hie arguments as his leader had done. Hie chief contention for women and equality with man centred itself in a physiological comparison of the quantity of brain each sex contained. Babies and elephants ware both introduced into the comparison and could hardly be regarded on the same level as man and woman, The speaker was firm and made a good impression.

Mr Foot advocated that the women of the past had shown themselves incapable of discharging the duties that would necessarily be involved upon them, and were further liberties extended beyond ths franchise he feared the wisdom of ths procedure. The Bev Thompson and Me MoHraith both made capital addresses in which strong arguments were brought to prove that women should have the right to help frame the laws to which they were subject.

Messrs Edwards and Merrett argued for the Greymouth Society, and each speech was well received. The former became very enthusiastic in which ho drew some vivid pictures as to the Utopian state we should enjoy were equal rights extended to- women. “Blue-stocking" women had a fixed place in this speaker’s .imagination, and his description of a women's political corterie was very amusing. Mr Edwards truly livened up the proceedings and did much to win book the inevitably losing side of the Trinity debaters.

The vote was then taken in which an equal number of voters was declared for each side, and the contest was declared a draw. ]

A vote of thanks was passed to the Eumara gentlemen for their courteous and able defence. It was agreed that another debate take plaoe at an early date t when the Trinity representatives are to visit Eumara.

The Eev Mr Stewart closed the meeting by pronouncing the benediction.

The Rev Mr and Mrs York with their usual hospitable nature entertained the debaters at the Vicarage to a hearty supper.