ORATORY

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 300, 15 September 1919, Page 6

ORATORY

ANNUAL PLTJNKET MEDAL • CONTEST. Owing to tho war the annual contest for tile Plunket Medal has not been held in the Town Hall for some yeaH However, the large audience of Saturday.. night* amply justified the committee of the-Victoria University College Debating Society iu its decision to once again place the competition on a pre-war basis. The Hon. 6. M. Thomson, M.L.C., Mr. J. T. M. Hornsby, M.P., and the Rev. A. E. Hunt acted as judges. The Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool were present., -The chairman (Captain .G. W. Morrce, M.A.) expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large audienco, which wos_ a source of gratification both to the society and to the speakers of the evening. Tha contest had been much criticised, but the society had decided to stand by the rules and not to alter them. Contests of this nature/were the stepping-stones to the public platform, and the college had reason to be proud' of the position of some of her men. in the life of the Dominion to-day. Their early training at the college had stood them in- good stead. That alone justified the society in holding the contest. Tho first speaker of the evening W Mr. J. M'Phee, who spoko.on Sir Julius Vogel. He opentkl with a somewhat lengthy explanation of why lie had chosen his subject, and went on to trace the earlv • history of thii Zealand statesman. Mr. M'Phee mentioned the introduction of the Public Works Actj 1870, duo to the efforts of Sir Julius Vogel, and he gavo a long list of dates and events with, -which his hero was ooncerned. , _ „ . Mr. J. W. Davidson took Eugene Debs as his hero. His speech was rather Me a-, recitation, but was well phrased. He treated of the work of Debs in endeavouring to; better tho lot of his fellowcountrymen. ' • - • llr. W. A. Sheat, who 6poke on Alazzini, received some banter from hi & fellow-students at the back of the hall. The speaker traced the Italian patriots endeavours to' free the people from tha despotism of the Hapsburgs, ' and his desire arid belief that Rome should «* the capital city of United Italy. out position or wealth, ho surmounted his obstacles, and finally maTched to Rome at the head of a victorious Italian Army. Italy was united and free Mazzinl was essentially an idealist, sai- 5 Mr. Sheat, but ho roused his country to "enthusiasm and freed it from the yok6 of Austrian • tyranny. Mr. Sheat spok# quietly, but with conviction, and he ed well. General Gordon was chosen by Mr C. G. Kirk. Mr. Kirk began slowly and softly in' tracing Gordon's early history. He gradually warmed up to his subjeit. and touched on "Gordon's early woTk iu Egypt and his troubles with tho Arabs of' tho Sudan. Gordon's great enthusiasm under trying circumstances, and his long wait for the relief expedition which arrived too late, received adequate treatment at thi6 speaker's hands. Mr, Kirk has a good, powerful voice, which he used to good eil'ect. Ho took his audience with him, and ended remarkably well. \ Mr. A. B. Croker, who Gpoke on the Carthaginian general, Hannibal, opened well, but he did not qui f o sustain hi o effort. Hannibal's unswerving devotion to his country • and Ms -hard task in fighting with inadequate reinforcements were touched on. ■ Mr. G. S. Troup made a good opening in speaking on Sir Walter -Raleigh, but his audienco did not help him. The speaker emphasised Baleigh's hatred oi Spain, and described how his whole life was devoted to tiie abolition of tho Spanish menace, Mr, A. M. Cousins spoke on Abraham Lincoln, concluding with Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg. Tho final speaker, Mr. G. H. Haigh, took John Redmond as his hero. Redmond's fight for the freedom of Ireland and final triumph in the carrying of the Homo Rule Bill were duly emphasised. The speaker dwelt oil the spirit of patriotism displayed by tho great Irishman on tho outbreak of war, and his great fight to rouse 'Ireland to a spirit of enthusiasm. Mr, Haigh concluded by speaking of Rcduiond's death in tho midst of his efforts to reconcilo the aims of Ulster'and the Nationalists. While tho judges were consideri»t» their verdict, Mr. 13. K. Rishwortii contributed a song and Mr. E. Brans gave a -recitation. Gn 'the judges returning, the chairman (Mr. Hornsby) announced the ver-. diet as follows:—Mr. C. G. Kirk, 1Mr. W. A. Sheat, 2; Mr. J. W. Davidson, 3.! In a few supplementary remarks, Mr, Hornsby stated that, tho judges wore c J tho opinion that it would bo better if> tho speouhes dealt with a set period of history or with the samo subject. Recited essays should not be the real aim of the students. If they desired to beeonio speakers of power thoy must get away from parrot-like repetition. It was bettor to use notes than to be placed in tho awkward position of having forgotton the essay. If this were done there would not be so much evi-, denco of barrenness. The judges desired to emphasise that tho speeches showed evidence of very careful preparation. Mr. Hornsby concluded by congratulating the winner and the other speakers, (Applause.) His Excellency then presented the medal, -and added his' congratulations. He 6poke of tlic awkwardness ho experienced when first speaking in tho House of Lords, and • advised his hearers to practice, Professor Sommcrvillo moved a vote of thanks to the judges, which was carried by acclamation. The proceedings terminated with cheers for the wiiiuei of tho modal.