YOUNG FARMERS' CLUB

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 74, 24 August 1938, Page 3

YOUNG FARMERS' CLUB

INTERESTING DEBATE

WAIMANA v. OPOTIKT

On Monday night, in St. John’s Hull, two teams met to debate on the .subject “That the Present Bay Young Fanner has Greater Opportunities than His Grandfather Had”. The debate was one of a series of competitions for the lhiy of Plenty Young Farmers’ Club debating trophy. The chairman. Allr L. Beattie, began the proceedings with a few remarks, outlining the rules of the debate. Mr El. Thompson opened for the affirmative with a few general, points m support of his side, concluding his speech by outlining the sub-division of his argument among his supporting speakers. Mi' It. White, the leader of the Waimana team, replied: in an able fashion. He spoke fluently and had obviously spent considerable time in preparation. By stating his points with assurance lie carried conviction.

The. second speaker for the affirmative was Mr H. Bridge. He stressed the opportunities given to the modern young farmer through better and more specialised education. He made some good points. Air Wool field (Waimana), followed and put forward quite a strong case for his side, by comparing the freedom from stock and crop disease enjoyed by our grandfathers, with the troubles of tlio present-day farmer. Qpotiki’s third speaker was Mr G. .Murray. Mr Murray's task was to bring forward the greater opportunities which the modern young farmer has in the matter of farm machinery and transport facilities.

The, next speaker. Air Alan Macdonald attributed tlm improvements in machinery to the necessity forced on the farmer by the more difficult circumstances of to-day. “Necessity”, he'quoted, “is the mother of invention”.

Air lan Grant was Opotiki’s fourth speaker. His remarks were drawn from several different parts of the field. ,

for Waimana. Mr H. White now spoke, devoting the first portion of bis allotted-tium to the bridging forward of the errors of commission and omission (as lie saw them) in the arguments of his opponents. Summing up for the negative Air It. White, reiterated the points put forward by his side, stressing mainly the statement that any modern improvements were due to the greater necessity of to-day.

Finally Mr Thompson summed up for tlm affirmative. This speaeh was much more fluent than his first and was Opotiki’s best speech for the evening. He kept the audience amused while he replied with humour to his opponents.

At the conclusion of the debate, and before all present launched a joint attack oil the ample supper, the judge Mr Mead, of Taneatua, spoke well of the evening’s debate, giving his decision in favour of Waimana. He then gave a helpful criticism of each speaker, which criticism should help them considerably.

The Waimana team was obviously more experienced, but if. as the ehairjnnn remarked, the local boys take' notice of the judge’s advice and also get in more practice, a future meeting should be an. even and very interesting entertainment as well as a valuable addition to the activities of the Y.F.U. This organisation already do l serves the interest and support of the district and especially of those who have at heart the welfare of our young men. It will he a great help to the boys when more of their parents and the senior farmers of the district realise the value of this dub' and do more to show their interest in it.