OTHERWISE CALLED.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 55, 13 November 1924, Page 2

OTHERWISE CALLED.

“THE GIFT OF THE GAB.”

(By

“Gratiano.”)

A great deal of talk was indulged in in the House during the passage of the Gaming Bill. Of this, a Christchurch member of ultra-puritanical views, took, in his opposition to the measure, more than his fair share. The time occupied, in his remarks, by each member and the approximate cost to the Dominion at a couple of pounds (sterling) a minute has been worked out By a Southern paper. The members of the opposition (so-called) were the worst offenders, and stonewalling tactics were employed by them to an appreciable extent. Of the parties, Labour was the least loquacious, and what its members had to say was mainly to the point. There was not great eloquence, however, displayed in any of the speeches, most of which consisted of saying those things already said in the same way as everyone else says them. Which reminds the writer that to Fay the same thing differently to everyone else is what has been considered as the hall-mark of eloquence. To quote: “The chief defect of the orator would seem to lie in the fact that he never has. much to say, his charm is -in his manner. But in the manner also . i>»r orc.tcjr ’s -ohiof value. The dull speaker may be sometimes very wise, but his wisdom misses fire; whereas every

wise, or shrewd, word that falls from the orator’s lips gets home to minds and consciences of men.” WHAT TS THE SECRET?

It is a strange art this of oratory, or as the Philistines term it “ the gift of the gab.” And what is its secret? It is said that the orator has four qualities—first, sincerity. What he believes he must believe with his whole heart, and give that belief expression. This is easily the chief essential of the orator, and it is recorded that a great British statesman once, among others, being asked wliat he considered the three great rules for a public speaker replied: (1) he sin-

ere; (2) be more sincere; (3) be Host sincere. The next attribute in irdev of importance is stated to be onviclion; there is not much differ-

erence between this quality and the last; one being perhaps a little more objective than the other, that is all. While the sincere man says all that he feels; the man who is convinced (and convincing) feels all that he says, and has notes in his nature that convey that feeling to others. “THE FIRE THAT BURNS.” Another quality that is essential is that of enthusiasm. Without ardour in his cause a speaker does not induce that warmth of utterance which sways an audience. He must be a fire that burns, yet not consumes. For enthusiasm can he over done —“ the Zeal of Thine House hath eaten me up,” said a devout man of old, and a speaker, if he wishes to retain the respect of his public must at all times steer between “ Skilly and Canthalides,” as the old lady with a genius for mispronunciation had it; in other words he must not only avoid the Scylla of supineness, hut the Charybdis of rabidness even more so. (The Christchurch member above referred to, please note). LAST, BUT NOT LEAST. A speaker must possess, in no small degree, optimism. With regard to toe efficiency of human effort lie must keep his illusions evergreen. He must believe with all his being that it is possible for some political person (of his own party) to wave an Aaron’s rod and straightway a new Heaven and a new Earth will spring into existence. He has got to be firmly persuaded, and so be able to persuade others, that legislation is the direct path to the solution of all human problems; the panacea for all the ills that flesh is heir to. In other words, the successful speaker must be something of an idealist; but he must not let anyone suspect it. For let a speak-

er, and particularly a politician (and it is the politicians that we are principally dealing with) be suspected of having ideals and you might as well hang him.

CAUSE AND EFECT. All of which qualities outlined come under the head of the cause of oratory. Now what is its effect? Let me once more quote from the writings of a recently decease Adustralasian author (I refuse to say “ an Australian and New Zealand author”). On oratory, he says: “ An orator is the strength of any party, the soul of our crusade, because he gives radiant life and activity to truths that otherwise might pass unnoticed by the wayside. Many things contribute to the decay of oratory; most of all, perhaps, the prevalence of elocution. No elocutionist can ever be an orator. The elocutionist in life is a man who spends all his days trying to make an unwound watch keep time by turning the wheels with a pin. You get, now and then, a certain movement of the hand; but there is no sense or reason in it. The true orator lives in the

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spirit and is rather impatient of rules. His whole great aim is to say what he believes, to make others believe it. He is a fire that throws out generous heat, an arc light in a place of shadows, a splendid rose among the cabbages. Time was when there were many such blooms in the gardens of everyday; but where are the roses of yester-year?” And the writer can very well close with those remarks. He has nothing to add to them.