TOWN HALL BAN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 13

TOWN HALL BAN.

FAITH-HEALING MEETINGS. STATEMENT BY MAYOR. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S POWERS. "Has the finance committee reported on everything that has been before it? I have a feeling that it has formed itself into a sort of theological society to decide on questions of religious dogma," said Mr. F. N. Bartram at last night's meeting of the City Council, when referring to the finance committee's refusal to allow Mr. A. H. Dallimore to engage the Town Hall for faith-healing meetings. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, said the hall was under the control of the committee, which had come to the con--1 elusion that it was not desirable for certain aspects of recent Sunday meetings to be continued, and it had been unanimously agreed to discontinue permission for such gatherings. There was no objection to people hiring the hall for meetings such as had been held on Sunday afternoon, but the committee had decided that certain things should be discontinued. Councillor's Criticism. Mr. E. J. Phelan said the committee should have made a recommendation and allowed the council to decide the question. He was not aware that such wide powers had been given the committee. Councillors were elected by the citizens to control civic affairs and should be consulted on a question of such public interest as that under discussion. He had been asked by various people the reason for the decision and had been unable to reply. The explanation given was far from satisfactory. The hall had been used for the same purpose for a number of Sundays. What had taken place that had made the com. mittee come to the decision? If there was something wrong surely it should have been reported long ago. The committee should have had the proposal to refuse' the permit placed on the order paper. "From High Official Positions." The Mayor said that until the council stripped the finance committee of its powers the committee would continue to grant or refuse permission for use of the hall. The committee had the same power as the property committee in respect to letting the council's houses. If every little matter was to come before the council the business of the city would never be carried out. No question of policy was involved. If it had been necessary he would have taken it upon himself to refuse the permission, and relied upon the council afterwards to confirm his action. Representations had been made to him by persons in very high official positions.

Mr. Pierian: If you had explained ■why, the council would have supported you. .