TOWN HALL BAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21349, 25 November 1932, Page 10

TOWN HALL BAN

THE DALLIMORE MEETINGS

COUNCIL AGAIN REFUSES

ATTITUDE OF THE MAYOR

THE "VAUDEVILLE" ASPECT

As a consequence of the City Council's decision, three weeks ago, that he be not allowed the use of the Town Hall for faith-healing demonstrations, Mr. A. H. Dallimore applied to the council last evening for the use of the hall on Sunday, December 4, for the purpose of holding a religious service such as ho had held in Auckland for the past five years. The Mayor, Mr. G. W. Hutchison, moved that the application be declined. Mr. D. Donaldson, who said he had not been present when the earlier decision was made, asked why the council declined to allow the right of free speech in the Town Hall to a man who was prepared to put down the rental money. Logically, he remarked, the council should also have taken steps to prevent Mr. Dallimore from using St. James' Theatre for the same purpose. An Unbeliever's Protest "I don't believe in Mr. Dallimore—not in the slightest," declared Mr. Donaldson, "but the council has let the Town Hall to men whom I believe in less and who, I believe, were capable of doing more harm to the community. I don't know whether the counqil thought that it was going to 'get one on to' Mr. Dallimore, but all it has done is to make him into a little tin god." "Councillor Donaldson says he is very strong on the right of free speech," remarked Mr. D. Henry, "but I would point out that Mr. Dallimore makes people speechless." (Laughter.)

Mr. Donaldson: I understand he make 3 them speak in foreign tongues. The Mayor said that he could not pretend to state councillors' reasons for supporting his original motion, but only his own reasons for moving it. "There is no objection to the holding of ordinary religious or mission services in the Town Hall." he continued. "In fact, we should be pleased to have them there. However, my own opinion—and I am not speaking lightly—is that the part of Mr. Dallimore's meetings which consists of putting people into trances is on a par with performances that can be seen at vaudeville shows all over the world.

"The Cloak of Religion"

"It is a question whether the council should not consider such an application in the light of the Municipal Cqrporations Act. We have frequently had programmes of Sunday evening entertainments submitted to our official censor for approval. If this is merely a performance to attract people to these particular services, then it comes within the scope of the Act. However, in view of the fact that it was being carried on under the cloak of religion, I considered that all that was necessary was for the council to have it removed from the Town Hall. I move that this application be declined." The motion was carried.