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Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 5, No. 8. October 6, 1942

Placings

Placings

Cecil, speaking on Pasionaria, had a quiet intensity which convinced the audience of her genuine admiration for her subject, and helped them share that admiration. Her account of Pasionaria's career was straightforward. The pathos and bravery which had filled her life, expressed boldly but without embroidery, is enough to grip any audience, and Cecil did not attempt to oust Pasionaria from the place of, honour. The facts of the Spanish War are grim enough. They only need clear statement. Cecil gave them this. Pasionaria's inner feelings, plain from her experiences, need no explanation. Cecil did not attempt one. And so, by not trying to improve on fact, she drew a clear, inspiring picture. It brought her victory.

Inna Lissienko was placed second, speaking on Alexei Stakanhov. Comparing her to Cecil, it seemed that her admiration of Stakanhov was rather more sentimental than reasoned. If we did not already know Stakanov was a great guy, that didn't matter. Inna did, and she was going to tell us about it whether we liked it or not. However, she presented such a good case for him that she left us with respect for her enthusiasm, and a feeling that there might be something in it.

No other speakers were placed, so they will be mentioned in the order they spoke.