Magician’s Remarks On Mediums Criticised

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30822, 6 August 1965, Page 7

Magician’s Remarks On Mediums Criticised

“Permit me, through the medium of your paper, to reply to the abusive and insolent remarks against Christchurch mediums by this pompous, egoistic individual who calls himself the Great Levante, which appeared in your issue of August 3,” said the national vice-president of the Spiritualist Church of New Zealand and president of the Christchurch Associate Church (Mr H. Parker) in a supplied statement. “It seems he has volunteered To clear up any Christchurch mediums that need clearing up.’ I am very sure there will be many spiritualists present when he announces when he is going to do this clearing up. “This arrogant performer also boasts that in 1941 he ‘knocked a few Christchurch spiritualist mediums flat.’ Strange that I have never heard of this. He also boasts he can duplicate what Christchurch mediums are doing as a comedy act in his show and call it spook seance. This is complete rot, and he knows it He also charges all spiritualist mediums with being purveyors of cheap conjuring tricks. I should like to say to Mr Levante these charges could be libellous. Invitation “The Spiritualist Church of New Zealand has associate and branch churches in all the main cities in the country and functions by act of Parliament enacted in 1924. Church services are held every Sunday and some week days (sind not in the dark), and I extend an invitation to Mr Levante to attend one of our services: he might learn something to his spiritual advantage. “We function to bring spiritual uplift, comfort, and spiritual security to those in need, and spiritual healing to

the sick, and also to prove the survival of the spirit after the death of the physical body. “Lord Dowding, that great man who was in command of the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain during the last world war, is in the forefront of spiritualism in England. He is an enthusiastic spiritualist, and author of many books on the subject. Hannen Swaffer, the ‘Wizard of Fleet Street,’ acknowledged as the finest journalist of his day, championed the cause of spiritualism for years, and also wrote many books on the subject. Other Spiritualists

“Mr Mackenzie King, a former Prime Minister of Canada, was also a spiritualist. Sir William Crookes, F.R.S., spent many years in research and was convinced, and publicly published his findings. Lord Crawford and Lord Dunraven were also keen supporters. Sir William Barrett also carried out extensive research and was completely convinced of the truths and claims of spiritualists. I could name many other prominent personalities who are spiritualists. Even President Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln held seances in the White House.

“Mr Levante appears ridiculous compared with the findings of these eminent men of letters and science. However, the ‘Psychic Press' in London will be informed of Mr Levante’s attack on Christchurch mediums, and no doubt the dynamic editor of some of its publications, which are sent to nearly every country in the world, will make a most suitable reply to the Great Levante, which will give him some advance publicity, though I don’t think it will be the kind of publicity he would desire.”