NATIONAL COUNCIL

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 20, 24 July 1934, Page 15

NATIONAL COUNCIL

ART OF PUBLIC SPEAKING

WELLINGTON BRANCH

A particularly interesting address on "Public Speaking" was given by Miss Catherine S. Forde at a meeting of the Wellington branch : of '' the SjNationa] Council of Women, last evening. Miss Forde, who is- a Victoria University College graduate and has won the Pluuket Medal for oratory, being the first and:, only woman-.to;Avin the' prize, was also- one of itwo students; selected to-represent the V.tl.C. in the first contest: for the Ble'disToe Meda* for oratory iv which, the.'.four ,NeW Zealand colleges competed. Her speech' last evening therefore was of special interest to women, and was an exceptionally fine effort. Miss Forde explained sympathetically some of the difficulties of: public speaking, such as nervousness, avoiding repetition and time-worn sentences and sentiments which had long outlived their usefulness. She also quoted passages from the. speeches of famous men, and others from the -poetical utterances of well-known Maori orators— all of which were given with great beauty of diction and voice. She emphasised that sincerity in a speech went a long way towards making it attractive, and a wide view iv treating subjects made for -power and-interest. Altogether Miss Foi-de's speech. >• was most inspiring, .and full: of -^useful' interest. A hearty . vote bfr thanks <srats. accorded her,, and :the hoper^vaV': exr pressed that she would 'fihd- tirne'to"'.give the council anotlier address'-;at.'/som'e later time. ■•.■ .; .■.--■■•;•.'' "' Miss Jackson (representing'the Fedoration of University. Women) gave- a brief outline of the work' and aims of the federation, and Miss Seaton spoke of the coming Pan-Pacific -Conference, -and the new work' undertaken at its meetings, both speakers being; cordially thanked for interesting addresses. The business part of the meeting included the report' by the president (Mrs. M. H. Chatfield, J.P;); and the ■lion, secretary (MrsT B. L. Dallard) of a meeting with representatives of the City Council department. inpeharge of the cleaning of, streets. The-conference had been very satisfactory/and a resolution was passed'- In reference to the matters discussed.' '->" :t Money-raising,, efforts wore':::discussed and some plans-put forward for these. It was decided to approach" the Government on the subject of the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Bill, now before Parliament; . Tho president said it was hoped that Dr. Russell (Mental Hospitals Department) would give an address at the August meeting on the subject of "Eecfiit Work Among Children." ' The meeting was . very largely attended, and several new associate members were elected and welcomed.

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