MANGAORE DEBATING SOCIETY

Shannon News, 2 August 1927, Page 3

MANGAORE DEBATING SOCIETY

HKOULB BACHELORS BE TAXED?

The Mangaore Debating Society field their first series of debates in the Staff Bach on Wednesday evening last, the 27th ultimo, the subject of debate being entitled “Should Bachelors be Taxed?”

Mr A. E. Blackwood, in occupying the chair, introduced the teams to a large audience, who during the evening followed the debate very keenly and enthusiastically.

The affirmative team were Messrs K. S. Henry (leader), K. E. G. Logan, H. Symons,’W. H. Wood and D. Jamieson (Bachelors). The negatives were Messrs F. Goldsmith (leader), J. F. Ostler, J. F. Gagliardi, A. S. Coates and W. 11. Gregory (Benedicts). Mr Henry, in proposing the motion that “Bachelors should be taxed,” stressed the following points: —

(1) Taxation should be based on the resources of the citizen.

(2) A family contributing to the Slate is contributing to the welfare of the cimntry. (;’) No class is so able to afford taxation as the bachelor.

(-1) Taxation would encourage the idea rhat it was bad to remain unmarried.

(5) The unmarried state is in itself in evil.

Mr Logan, in a short address, sec ended the motion.

Messrs Symons, Wood and Jamieson spoke in favour of t-lie motion. .Mr Goldsmith’s (leader of the negar rive) points against the motion were: (1) Taxation of bachelors would burden one section of the community for the-benefit of the rest.

t (2) That countries with the highest birth rate were always the poorest and least able' to stand the' strain. Quality not quantity, what was needed. (3) The’ bachelors often have dependants and are saving to get married.

(4) Marriages amongst the unfit reluctant would occur and divorce and unhappiness would increase. Mr Ostler in a short address ably supported his leader. Messrs Gagliardi, Coates and Gregory spoke against the motion. Mpss'rs Goldsmith (negative) and Henry (affirmative) then made their replies respectively. It was then left to the audience to judge the winning team, and a vote was taken by ballot, Messrs E. E. James and W. B. King acting as scrutineers. The result ended in favour of Mr Henry ’s team by a fair margin. For the best speech in the debate, Mr F. Goldsmith S was adjudged the winner.

Mr Blackwood in a neat speech closed proceedings by congratulating the winning team and Mr Goldsmith,' and also thanked all those present for their attendance and enthusiasm. The next *Free events on the Society ’s syllabus are (1) A Technical Lecture on “Three-phase Connected Transformers,” by Mr W. H. Gregory; (2) Society Evening. (3) Lecture on “Lightning and its causes,” by Mr I. E. Robinson.