NEGRO DEBATERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 July 1938, Page 7

NEGRO DEBATERS

COMING VISIT TO MASTERTON. SELECTION OF LOCAL TEAM. At the Catholic Club Rooms last evening an elimination contest, was held for the purpose of selecting a team to represent Masterton on July 21 against the American Negro University debating team from Le Moyne College, Memphis, Tennessee, which is at present touring the Dominion. The subject debated was: “That World Peace is Undesirable as well as Impossible,” the affirmative being taken by Messrs R. I. Wadhams, J. H. Kemnitz and J. Dwyer, and the negative by Messrs E. Esler and C. A. Carmine. An indisposition unfortunately prevented the other negative speaker, Mr W. Brady from being present. The judges (Mrs T. R. Barrer, Miss O. R. Sutherland and Mr G. W. Morice) awarded the decision to the affirmative side, Mr Morice stating that the judges were of opinion that although the affirmative side had the harder task, they made good use of what arguments they had and had presented their case with greater cohesion and logic. The judges were at one in awarding first place to Mr Kemnitz who spoke with clarity and incisiveness, while second place went to Mr Dwyer. Mr Dwyer started a little shakily, but quickly warmed to his task and dealt effectively with the arguments adduced by his opponents. Mr Wadhams also impressed very much, but his delivery was not up to quite the same high standard as his subject matter. Mr Carmine started well, but lacked the force and aggressiveness of the other speakers. Mr Esler, though forceful and spirited, did not marshal his facts to the best advantage and both negative speakers failed to rise to the occasion by vigorously rebutting some of the affirmative’s arguments which were patently false. After further collaboration the judges announced that they had selected Messrs Kemnitz and Dwyer to represent Masterton against the negro team, and there is no doubt they will be worthy foemen for the eloquent and witty Americans. Mr Kemnitz, who holds the degree of Master of Laws, was for several years one of the most prominent debaters of the Otago University Debating Union, culminating in his selection as a member of the Otago University Goodwill Debate team which toured the United States and Canada last year. Mr Dwyer who requires only one more section to complete his B.A. degree, is at present sole teacher at the Hastwell School. Over the past ten years he has been a keen debater, being a member of the Masterton team which in 1936 was placed second at the Catholic Clubs’ annual North Island Easter conference. To give the chosen speakers an opportunity for practice, a further debate is to be held shortly. Mr W. Brady has been appointed emergency speaker. The visitors will arrive in Masterton on July 21, the debate taking place in the Opera House at 8 p.m. on the evening of that day. In addition to the main debate, there will be featured a short series of humorous speeches, and items by the Te Ore Ore Maori party.