SPIRITUALISM

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8738, 21 May 1914, Page 8

SPIRITUALISM

To the Editor “ N.Z. Times.” Sir, —1 wish to call your attention to the frivolous remarks mad© by Judge Hosking and Lawyer Wilford on Tuesday in the Supremo Court when hearing a case for divorce. Because the defendant happened to be a professing Spiritualist is no reason why the cause of spiritualism should become the butt of judges and lawyers. Would they have been so gay at the expense of a Homan Catholic or an Anglican? 1 think not. These organisations are too powerful to be lightly talked of by public men. Well, let me inform these gentlemen that though spiritualism is not popular in Now Zealand, it has a powerful following in Great Britain and America, which speaks well for the intelligence of the people. It is a. long time since I have visited such an old-fashioned, out-of-date place such as New Zealand with such absolute devotion to Wowserism and Mrs Grundy. Its judges are no exception. If spiritualism was an accepted popular cult to-morrow, wouldn’t one. witness a most amazing transformation ? Its enemies of to-day would then be its devotees—such is the psychological power of popular opinion upon the minds of those who bow to it. I don’t suppose we would find many judges and lawyers prove exceptions to the general rule. Let mo point out to Judge Hosking and Lawyer T. M. Wilford that the serious business of the court should preclude all idlo jesting on matters ol religion and belief. It is also quite possible that the laugh may bo on the other side when the day of reckoning comes.—l am, etc., DAVID A. LEISK. Wellington, May 20th, 1914.