I was present at the Plunket Medal Contest held in the gymnasium on Sept 15th, and so much was I exercised over the decision of the judges, that I wish to record some of the thoughts that surged up in my mind.

I have not the slightest feeling against women competing with men in contests of this kind. There are those who warmly assert that women cannot be judged by the same standard as men. I think that those people have very limited critical and rational power. They may not be able to judge men and women speakers by the same standard; those with ampler powers, can.

Oratory is not masculine or feminine. It is the power of moving an audience by the force of stirring and heartfelt words, and I submit that the winner of the contest did not display oratorical power. I feel strongly, and so I know did the majority of the audience, that the decision was made on very narrow lines. We do not doubt the honesty of the judges' decision, but feel that harm has been done, and a handle given to those who object to men and women speaking in contest. Undoubtedly, to my mind, several of the men speakers displayed great oratorical potentialities, and both gripped and thrilled their audience in a way that the "quiet" speakers, though certainly earnest, totally failed to do. Men may well, after such a decision, feel chary of speaking in contests with women if lack of energy and grip is to be dignified by the name of "quiet sincerity."