Y. M. C. A.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2537, 25 June 1909, Page 4

Y. M. C. A.

LADIES’ EVENING. The Y.M.C.A. rooms were crowded to an uncomfortable extent last evening, when a “Ladies’ Evening” was held in connection with the Debating Society. The subject for debate was “Should Women have a Seat on Public Bodies?” Mrs. J. Townley occupied the chair, and Miss F. Quigley spoke in the affirmative, pointing out that women were the equals of men, and, as they contributed to the revenue of public bodies k should have a voice in the expenditure. Miss Quigley held that women would be more than useful on Charitable Aid Boards, which required an element of sympathy as well as business in the management of the funds, and as women had to obey the laws they should have some say in the framing of them. Miss Wilcox spoke in the negative, and held that, while women were quite ab e to serve on public bodies, their proper sphere was the home. Men, Miss Wilcox contended, were better qualified to learn the needs of the people, and to satisfy those needs. The surroundings of a public body were hot suited to a woman’s tender susceptibilities, and men had thicker skins, that allowed them to accept public criticism. “Imagine,” said Miss Wilcox, “a home where the wife went out to a Borough Council meeting that did not adjourn till after midnight.” Mrs. Fox spoke oh the affirmative, and Mrs. Graham, Miss Warren, Mrs. E. D. Sniltn, tho Rev. W. H. Roberts, and Mr. L. T. Burnard on the negative side of the debate.. On a vote being taken, the negative side scored a victory by an overwhelming majority. Tho Rev. W. Lamb then addressed the ladies, and. said.the meeting was the most successful ever held in the Y.M.C.A. rooms. He proposed that a vote of thanks be tendered to Miss Quigley and Miss Wilcox for their interesting debate, and to Mrs. Townley for presiding. The motion was carried unanimously. Refreshments were served, and during the evening songs were sung by Mrs. Johnston 'Brown, Misses Miller, Faubert, and Gray, and Mr. H. J. Brownlee. Mrs. Baty played a piano solo, and Master Rhinesmith a violin solo. Mesdames Foster and Brownlee acted as accompanists.