DRAMATIC ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22819, 28 August 1937, Page 18

DRAMATIC ATTACK

OXFORD GROUP MOVEMENT REPLY TO NOTED ACTRESS The "dramatic attack" on the Oxford Group made by the well-known actress Miss Margaret Rawlings at a luncheon of 2500 litterateurs in London last month is commented on in two letters to the Times after the event. "I think I am hero under false pretences," Miss Rawlings said. "I have been asked to speak about my philosophy of life. I consider that public confession, such as we have seen at this luncheon, is physio exhibitionism'combined with sensual satisfaction. It is to me as if someone took off all his clothes in Piccadilly Circus." Miss Christina Foyle, organiser of the Foyle Literary Luncheons, at which the statement was made, wrote as follows in the Times: — "My luncheon of July 8 has been'reported in some papers as arranged by the Oxford Group. It was not arranged by them, but was the usual Foyle's Literary Luncheon. 1 personally asked the Oxford Groiy> to provide the speakers, because I know of the great interest taken in the movement. It turned out to be the largest luncheon we have ever had. I was solely responsible for this luncheon. "Without consulting the Oxford Group I invited Miss Rawlings to be the guest of honour. "The Oxford Group had understood that there would be no other speakers than those arranged by themselves, but they none the less courteously agreed to carry out their part in the luncheon. Miss Rawlings' remarks about immodesty bore no possible relation to what was said at the luncheon which, to everyone actually present at the lunch, was a reasonable and objective presentation of the case for moral and spiritual renewal at a time of world (Comment was also made in the Times by Lord Salisbury and ten members of the House of Commons that in "the 8.8.C. news broadcast that night reference was made only to the statements of Miss Rawlings to tlie neglect of the relevant and first-hand account of the Oxford Group given by such men as the Bishop of Rangoon, Lord Aldington, Mr. Austin Reed, Alderman Locke, former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, and Brigndier-Generfll Winser. They supported Miss Foyle's statement that the remarks of Miss Rawlings bore no relation to what was said at the luncheon.