PLUNKET MEDAL CONTEST

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 67, 16 September 1918, Page 3

PLUNKET MEDAL CONTEST

VICTORIA COLLEGE DEBATING

SOCIETY.

The seating accommodation provided in the Victoria College gymnasium was

■taxed to the full on Saturday night, on the occasion of the Debating Society's twelfth annual contest for the Plunket Medal. The chair was occupied by Mr. R. D. Thompson, and the judges were the Hon. J. A. Hanan, Hon. J. Rigg, and Dr. Gibb. v '

Seven speakers took part in the competition, and dealt with character studies of men famous in contemporary or past history. With one or two exceptions,- the speakers followed closely tjie stereotyped form of an introduction,. an argument, and a peroration, at least one of which was too forced to be forcible. Speaking at the conclusion of the competition, the Hon. Mr. Hanan expressed warm satisfaction with the talent ehown. Four of the -speakers, he said, repi'esented the highest standard of literary merit, and the presentation of their ma,tter was very good. Some of the speakers had marred their efforts by lapses of memory, and as a result their delivery had been hampered. Others showed a fault not uncommon with cultured speakers, that of speaking above the heads of the audience. More effective speeches would' have been given if the speakers had been content to use words commonly used and understood by the audience. Some of those competing should give a little attention to voice production, and should understand the principles of deep breathing. Others were not able to maintain their grip on the audience. One competitor, In particular, showed himself to be live and forceful, and he would point out that this and a thorough knowledge of the subject matter were essential for a convincing delivery. Moreover, a speaker should show himself to be moved by the points he wished- to make to his audience. At the present time, when ideas were changing and when people were moved by their feelings rather than^ by reason, the need for effective public speakers who'could help in the guiding of thought to the highest planes was important. In his opinion, too much time had been devoted in the past to writing, and not enough to speaking, and the result was that there were many good writers and few good speakers. He could heartily congratulate the speakers on their addresses, and he expressed the hope that/an even higher standard would be reached next year, and that the number of competitors would be larger. The medal was awarded to Mr. P. Martin-Smith, who made a somewhat dramatic defence of Lord Haldane, who, he claimed, had been sacrificed- by a certain section of the press, which for political reasons saw fit to ignore his loyal work for the nation! Mr. C. G. Kirk, who was awarded second place, retold the stirring story of Captain Scott's tragic journey to the South Pole in a forceful and convincing manner, and Mr. W. E. Leicester, who was placed third, chose as . his subject a study of Richelieu, making his points on the strength of the Cardinal as a soldier, as a statesman, and as a member of the Crmrch in a rather more quiet manner than some of the competitors, but with a finished and telling delivery. Other competitors were Mr. A. B. Croker ("Lord Roberts"), Mr. M. A. Egbert ("Damien of Molakai"), Mr. W. A. Sheat ("Sir Eric Geddes"), and "Mr. K. Whitehouse ("David Livingstone"). A' short musical programme was given during the deliberations of the judges, who were accorded a hearty vote of thanks at the conclusion of the evening.