PUBLIC SPEAKING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XII, Issue 235, 18 September 1922, Page 3

PUBLIC SPEAKING.

PRESENT-DAY ORATORS COMPARED. OBSERVATIONS AT WASHINGTON CONFERENCE. Sir John Salmond, one of the judges nt the competition for the Plunkct medal at the Wellington Town Mall on Saturday, had some sound advice to give to the budding aspirants for fame as public speakers. Invited by the chairman, Mr H. McCormick, to address a few words to the competitors, Sir John Salmond said he had conic there that evening to hear speeches, not to make them. He congratulated the winner, and the two other placed competitors, who had come very near him. He was both pleased and surprised at the showing of the competitors. The confidence, tone, and power of articulate expression wore far beyond anything he had hitherto found in the young men of Victoria College. When ho was at college there was not anything like as good oratory as they had had that evening. Tt was now part of his daily duty to listen to speeches from counsel, some of whom had graduated from Victoria College, and he would say that none of them came up to the standard shown that evening. In considering one’s methods in public speaking, it was wise not to learn a speech off by rote, but to prepare thoroughly, and especially to memorise the opening and closing sentences. They should speak slowly, without undue emphasis or a wealth of gestures, for if the subject matter was worth while it was best not to be too rapid of utterance, but to speak deliberately ami impressively, and with dignity and expression. Those who wanted to hear what was said did not want to be compelled to hurry breathlessly after the speaker. Tt was hotter for them to wait for him, so that he should make thorn follow carefully what he was saying, than find they were a long way behind. When he was in America lately ho had opportunities of watching the methods of represenI tatives of the different nations. The French were the most vehement speakers ho had ever heard. MM. Briand and Viviani got up and poured out impassioned speeches without pause or an instant, of thought or consideration. The extraordinary gestures which they supposed to be appropriate were grotesque to an Englishman. As a contrast) Arthur Balfour spoke witthout emotion. Ho hold the lappls of his coat, bowed his silver-topped head, and uttered his words slowly and distinctly, holding the interest and attention of his hearers breathlessly, with eloquent pauses and characteristic hesitation. The audience were enthralled, in marked, contrast to their previous attitude. By all means prepare the matter of their speeches, but do not prepare their* words, de not learn their speeches by heart except under certain *‘onditinii*. Certainly, in a contest like to-night’s, it was osontial they should make thorough preparation, they would possess a thorough knowledge of the ipsissima verba of what they wore going to say. By all means they should have notes which should be merely headings of the different phases of their subject. If they did not learn the first and last sentences by heart they would be apt to stumble before getting into their stride, anil end up with a lame and impotent conclusion. He was pleased that they had asked him to officiate -that night, especially as he was formerly a professor at their college, and ho was delighted to renew his association with them. A hearty vote of thanks to the judges ami cheers for the winner of the medal terminated the proceedings.