Of Talking.

Radio Record, Volume IV, Issue 47, 5 June 1931, Page 8

Of Talking.

Tule debate from Victoria College on Friday evening I found rather less informative and enjoyable than I had hoped would "be the case. All the speakers had obviously devoted much time and study to the preparation of. their matter upon the failure or otherwise of democracy. I must particularly compliment Mr.:Mountjoy upon his opening address, Although Professor Cornish, for the good of Mr. Mountjoy’s soul and to correct his outstanding fault of undue rapidity of utterance, placed him but fourth in order of merit, I must confess that I regarded Mr. Mountjoy’s effort as the best of the evening. In fluency and eloquence it had no rival, and although the Professor complained that some of his hearers found themselves unable to absorb the intellectual nourishment offered on account of the rapidity of his _ Presentation, I found no such difficulty: ichael brought Mr. Mountjoy’s voice

to me quite clearly, and I found distinct pleasure in appreciating his arguments. They were given well, and he was less disconcerted by the interruptions of hecklers than other speakers. Miss Forde made her points with admirable lucidity, but I agree with Professor Cornish that Miss Henderson did not give of, her best. Mr. Watson, in seconding Miss Forde, was fairly effective. On the subsequent speakers I am.unable to comment, because their names were not audible. I particularly agree with the admonitions

delivered by Professor Cornish to the audience upon the poorness of its efforts in the field of interjection. "Wait," he said, "until you see a good opening before interjecting.’ "That is what I did," claimed a pathetic voice. "Probably you are the only one then," tactfully agreed the Professor. Wit is certainly never successful when ’tis strained. Spontaneity is its very essence. As a whole, the debate was less interesting and successful than one given formerly, but. it was still an entertaining novelty, and I would not be averse to another. From the listeners’ point of view, undue heckling from the audience is not desirable.