“HER INFINITE VARIETY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 466, 22 September 1928, Page 13

“HER INFINITE VARIETY”

YOUNG DEBATERS TALK ON MODERN WOMAN

CYNICISM AND FERVOUR Modern woman was cynically disparaged and fervidly cham. pioned when six young men spent the best part of two hours talking about her in the University College last evening. wi^ iS t C ’i SSi °? “ns delicate subject \vas the outcome of a debate between teams representing the University of Auckland University ColThe Sydney team, which is about to begin a tour of the world, affirmed the motion That the emergence of woman from tho home is a depressing feature of modern life.” t T i e , Sydn ey team was: Messrs. N. C. V, on ’ G - Good sail, and W. S. Auckland was represented by Messrs. I. W. Simpson, J. N. Wilson, and A. K. Tusner. The debate was broadcast, and most or the speakers, determined that the unseen listeners should miss nothing, kept close to the “mike” during their speeches.

Mr. Nelson, full of the bitterest iconoclasm, submitted that there was a of romance at the present time, inis was due to woman’s loss of veneration through insistence on her newly acquired independence. He assured the audience that the present lamentable conditions would soon pass away, like smoke in clouds. Describing his opponents as Daniels m a den of lionesses, Mr. Simpson said women had always emerged from home, and the depressing effect of this had not yet been observed. He quoted Helen of Troy, Queen Elizabeth, and Florence Nightingale a,s emerged women who had accomplished great things outside the home. “Will our opponents name one woman of consequence who has not emerged from home?” he asked. “Charley’s Aunt.” called a ribald interjector. “Then we have our own Hinemoa,” he added. “She left her whare ” “To have a swim,” called another voice.

Mr. Goodsall told the audience that modern woman was more ambitious than her grandmother because she had more in view. The advantages she lost were outweighed by those acquired in her present-day independence. “An eminent authority,” he said, “holds that Australia cannot be free from foreign aggression unless her population is doubled in five years.” He mentioned, as he stood near the microphone, that he was glad to have an opportunity of talking to home. Perusing his collection of movie star cigarette cards, Mr. Wilson said there was no doubt that La'-a La Plante, Dolores Del Rio, Mary Pickford, and Dale Austen could hold their own with the beauties of the past. He then went on to detail what woman had done for modern drama and literature. Mr. Sheldon • denied that modern woman was beautiful, and complained of her use of cosmetics. He objected to faces that were painted up like sunsets. “The shingle has done for women what it did for Samson,” he declared. “It has weakened woman’s attraction. No red-blooded he-man could fall in love with a woman who talks as he does, smokes as he does, and drinks as he does.” Mr. Turner eloquently asked that women be allowed to follow their own destinies, and decide for themselves what career they should follow. He held that nobody had a right to challenge woman’s emergence from the home. No vote was taken, but on the motion of the chairman, Mr. Kenneth Mackenzie, the speakers were thanked for their efforts.