OPEN-AIR SPEAKER FINED

Southland Times, Issue 23634, 8 October 1938, Page 20

OPEN-AIR SPEAKER FINED

(United Press Association) WELLINGTON, October 7. Because of a proclamation that there were no Roman Catholics in heaven, to which statement a listener walked over and objected, at an open-air meeting, in which the police intervened, Harry Gallus found himself charged with using insulting words. He pleaded not guilty. William Heavy, who took exception to the statement, said he went over and asked Gallus to repeat the words. Hie members of the audience, he said, were all talking at once, and then the police came on the scene. The accused said the meetings were sometimes disorderly, but it was not intended to make them so. “It seems that when the truth of God’s world is proclaimed, the carnal hearts of men are usually stirred up in opposition,” he added. Mr J. L. Stout S.M.: There is nothing in the Bible about Roman Catholics not going to heaven. That is an abusive statement. The accused said that on that occasion a man had said, “I am a Roman Catholic, I am going home.” He had then said that there were no Roman Catholics in heaven. Mr Stout: As you admit making that statement, I will fine you £2 and costs. The accused: But sir, I don’t consider that an insulting statement. Mr Stout: I consider it is, and I am judge of that. You are fined. A constable: He refuses to pay, sir. Mr Stout: Well if he refuses to pay he will ultimately have to work it out. The accused: lam an innocent man, sir.