Muggeridge v. Lowe debate

Press, 21 August 1976, Page 4

Muggeridge v. Lowe debate

A televised debate between the visiting English writer and commentator, Malcolm Muggeridge, and Canon Bob Lowe, is planned by TV2 in late October.

According to the head of information (programmes) of TV2 (Mr Tom Finlayson) in Auckland last night, the subject is still open — although it might be abortion, on which Mr Muggeridge is known to have decided views.

The location of the debate will depend on Mr Muggeridge’s itinerary and the availability of the TV2 outside units, but Mr Finlayson said he expected it would be filmed in Christchurch. “It seems to me that here we have an impressive intellect in the country who has written and spoken exten-

sively on a whole range of moral issues, as has Bob Lowe. It stands to reason they must differ on some things, and how they discuss these differences could lead to some excellent television,” said Mr Finlayson.

Mr Muggeridge, aged 72, is being brought to New Zealand by the New Zealand Bible Society specifically to deliver the Oliver Beguin lecture in Auckland Cathedra! on October 19 and to give other lectures in Wellington and Christchurch on behalf of the society.

However, the Rev. D. J. Williams, the local secretary of the Bible Society, said in Christchurch last night that if the television debate was on abortion, Mr Muggeridge would not reflect the views of the Bible Society.