MR. DALLIMORE AND HIS CRITICS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 302, 21 December 1932, Page 6

MR. DALLIMORE AND HIS CRITICS.

The Mayor's attitude and that of his supporters in the matter of Mr. Dallimore and the Town Hall is about as illogical as one could hope to find in the history of New Zeir land local body government. If it is wrong to let the Town Hall for alleged semi-hypnotic religious ceremonies, surely, it was equally, incorrect to let the Tepid Bathe for similar baptismal services. Two arguments only were used to support the negative party's views, viz., religious controversy and danger in case of fire. As regards the former, if the 'hire of public halls is to be refused on these ground*,, then, indeed, we shall have to see where .we stand, for most religion is controversial. The fire argument is a bit weak. It was hardly charitable of Dr. J. J. North to launch his cheap sneer at our senior magistrate, for whatever our views may "be, I for one give him credit for sincerity and boldness before this civic tribunal in acknowledging his belief in the power of God and solemn spiritual experiences—right or wrong. ■ As to Dr. Hughes, the Baptist minister, I do not know whether Dr. North knows it, but some "years ago *• Baptist minister of • Wellington lent part of his church builclng for similar meetings. The Rev. J. W. Kemp about this time delivered a non-committal address on faith, healing, and produced a lady who claimed to have been wonderfully healed by Divine means. I believe she later published a booklet on this subject. The Rev. Percy Knight, then in charge of the Pitt Street Church, offered .up .-prayers for the success of' a healing mission then in progress, outside of the denominational Churches, and so on. I am not a Dallimorite and do not attend his meetings, tut I have studied this much-debated subject for a number of years and still suspend judgment. W. R. BATE.