RELIGION IN POLITICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 14

RELIGION IN POLITICS.

MR. STALLWORTHY'S BELIEFS

LIVING UP TO PRINCIPLES

CRITICS TAKEN TO TASK. Strong exception to statements made by Mr. R. A. Wright, Reform M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, and Mr. T. Bloodworth, Labour candidate in the Parneli by-elec-tion, regarding what ho termed his "virtues and follies," was taken by tho Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, in an address ho gavo in the Gordon Road Hall, Mount Eden, last evening.

"It seems very significant that a prominent member of tho Opposition, one who was a Minister in the late Government, should have found nothing else to taunt our worthy member with except his principles," said the chairman, Mr. S. E. Chappoll. "It is astonishing that the taunt has come from a gentleman who holds the same beliefs as Mr. Stallworthy. It ill becomes anyone who claims that there is a higher power directing our destinies to ridicule this belief in another. The difference between the two is that our friend has the courage of his convictions and always says what ho means, while his ideals actuate him in actions as well as in words." "Virtues and Follies." "I may assure you that I am not a bit disconcerted by any criticism of my virtues or my follies," declared Mr. Stallworthy, who was greeted with applause by tho gathering of about 40 persons. "Probably my virtues are not very apparent, and if my follies are such as to invite criticism I hope I will take it iu good heart. When I was placed in my present position I confessed that I believed that God had a plan for every man and that-Ho had one for me. I spoke from the bottom of my heart and Ido not recant now. Ido not brag about it, nor do I make an apology. I have sincerity in the Christian faith and let scoff who will. The man stoops who attacks tho fundamental beliefs of another man's life.

"It has been said by Mr. Wright that I have taken no part in the Parncll byelection. I am under an obligation to correct him. At the opening of the Parnell campaign I was present at and •was invited to address a meeting at which no less than 500 people were present. I then spoke in support of the United Party's policy. This meeting was open to the public and there is no doubt that a number there were not supporters of the United Party. I certainly took a leading part in the campaign and gave it direction." Eebuke for Mr. Bloodworth. Mr. Stallworthy then referred to the story of Christopher Columbus, which he had told at that meeting. '.'l did not then refer to the Labour Party, or, indeed, to any party, certainly not to Mr. Bloodworth," he said. "Mr. Bloodworth has taken that epic of courage as an opportunity to sneer at a. man's religious beliefs and convictions. S -He was foolish enough to say . that we had a Minister of Health who has a divine mission in life. I am glad that he sees it—and is a new Messiah—l do not know if lie was trying to be blasphemous—who has sources of information not known to other men.

"I do not accuse Mr. Bloodworth of being an atheist or. an infi'del. He can bo what he likes, but not for Mr. Bloodworth or_ any other man in or out of the Dominion will I recant the basic principles of my life," concluded the Minister. "So far as I am concerned I do not care a fig for criticism, so long as I am living up to the principles I have enunciated, but 1' feel that an attack on my religion is an attack on every other person's religion. Howevei, we can leave the electors of other parts of the Dominion to deal with those men in the manner of their own hearts."