Oratory Standard Low

Plunket held in Concert Chamber

Proceedings opened with a presentation by the Music Makers Club Orchestra of "Paitlta," by J. C. Faber and "Suite," by Peurl.

Mr. Brendon O'Connor, in the chair, remarked briefly on the various merits of the judges and of oratory; the former, we were told, were well qualified for their task, the latter should reach—"even sublimity"—we sat and waited in hopeful anticipation.

Mr. Roy Jack faced several disadvantages—he was first, the doors of the hall were opened to admit late comers—and he spoke on Winston Churchill. Churchill is a great man—if we hadn't heard of him before we would have been awestruck by his achievements. Mr. Churchill was farsighted (1936 statement on Hitler Germany), honest (blood, tears and sweat), and he had faith (in God, Queen and Navy), he had consummate oratory—"he speaks the English language like an organ"—and then with "Hitler lying in his Nordic lair" Mr. Jack out-Churchilled Churchill In his snarling inflections.

Mr. Jack Williams, speaking on Albert Schwelfer, began well with a clear picture of a musician, a follower of Bach, with a wide circle of admirers. From Strassbourg, with three doctorates to his name, he goes out to French Equatorial Africa, for "Lazarus suffers in the tropics" and renders medical aid to the natives "to pay back a little of the white man's debt." This is his cross. Mr. Williams' voice was light but he used it well, his inflections pleasant and flowing, and his choice of words colourful, he reached sincerity with neither pomp nor affectation.

Mr. Kevin O'Brien spoke on Field Marshal Smuts, "one of the greatest of living statesmen." First we were told of his life "Home, home on the veldt" and later of his career, of "service before self-interest." The account was fluent and his manner pleasant and earnest, the conclusion was, however, baffling; "Happiness is freedom and freedom is courage!"

Mr. John Ziman next spoke about Pasteur. Pasteur did worthy things, chief among them were his saving of the wine and beer and silk industries of France—we thought the former very worthy; he also followed Lister and cured rabies, he had genius—"the infinite capacity for taking pains." Pasteur once said "Science and peace will one day triumph over ignorance and war."

Mr. Stan Campbell took Horatio Nelson as his hero and into his speech packed the quintessence of the British Empire. He ranged from the Vikings to Winston Churchill, from Dunkirk to the River Plate; the Nelson spirit was key to it all. "Nelson's work did not finish in the Navy," declared Mr. Campbell with fervour. Lady Hamilton was not mentioned.

Mr. Brian O'Leary spoke on Thomas Masaryk, founder of Czechoslovakia, liberator and statesman. He gave a scholarly speech, without fire but with grace, his emphasis was on the character of Masaryk, his treatment sympathetic and his story clear. The climax, while not dramatic, was sincere, gaining him a sympathetic hearing.

Mr. A. Duncan, with a "magnificent" voice and occasional lapses into the Churchilllan inflection, spoke on William Eberhart, Prime Minister of Alberta. The speech lacked colour in that it dealt with principles rather than with human beings, it was, however, better knit than many of the others.

Mr. Vincent O'Kane spoke of Peter Bar-Jona, "a simple fisherman." The speaker was handicapped by lack of confidence, more continuity in his argument would have held the audience better.

The judges made their decisions to the accompaniment of violin and cello solos by John Davis and Arnold McKee with John Money at the piano.

Sir Harry Batterbee announced the result of the contest:—

• First: Mr: J. C. Williams.
• Second : Mr. A. Duncan.
• Third equal: Mr. K. B. O'Brien and Mr. B. O'Leary.
• Special mention was given to Mr. J. Ziman.

Sir Harry gave a brief definition of oratory, stating the four chief ingredients as thought, language, voice and sincerity. He stressed that neither memorisation nor recitation was the basis for oratory and gave the opinion of the judges: that there had been no real oratory In the whole evening, only speeches.

Miss C. S. Forde emphasised the need to build up to a climax and to develop speech rhythms.

Mr. Eaton Hurley assured the audiences that he shared their disappointment in the absence of his Lordship, and briefly pointed out to those speakers who had failed to grip their audiences, that this was largely because they had failed to remember their audiences.

Sir Harry then presented the medal to the winning speaker, and a vote of thanks was passed to the judges.