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Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21014, 18 April 1938, Page 7

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JUDGE RUTHERFORD IN SYDNEY United Press Association—By Electrio Telegraph—Copyright (Received April 17, 7.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 16 Judge Rutherford, head of the organisation known as Jehovah's Witnesses. who was a passenger by the Mariposa, was acclaimed by a very large crowd and driven away in a luxurious car, his personal bodyguard standing on the running board. Contrary to expectations, there was no hostile demonstration. Judge Rutherford in an interview said he intended to speak in Sydney Sports Ground next Sunday, and would return to America in two weeks’ time. Meanwhile he will not leave Sydney. Judge Rutherford deprecated the action of the Postmaster-General in denying him the use of landlines for broadcasting. Absolute denial of allegations made in Australia that he had attacked the British Empire, was given by Judge J. R. Rutherford, head of the organisation known as Jehovah's Witnesses and editor of the Watch Tower Bible Society publications, when he passed through Auckland the other day by tire Mariposa. Recent cables from Australia announced that the Federal Government had refused to prevent Judge Rutherford from entering the Commonwealth, as requested, it was reported, by returned soldiers. “There is no reason in the wide world why I should attack the British Empire,” he said. During the voyage Judge Rutherford received a radio message from a Sydney daily paper Informing him that the authorities had refused to make available the Sydney Town Hall and other halls for his convenience. The message, according to a leaflet distributed to Mariposa passengers, stated that a national broadcast was prevented by the Postmaster’s refusal to supply land lines. The newspaper asked for the judge’s reply to this action and whether he would speak in the open air as a last resort. In the course of a lengthy reply Judge Rutherford declared that he would gladly speak In the open air to accommodate the people. "The enemies of righteousness cannot prevent Jehovah's message from reaching the people,” he added. To a reporter he stated that he Intended to wait until he reached Sydney before making a move in the matter. He said certain religious organisations, and not the returned soldiers, had prevented him from obtaining the use of the Sydney Town Hall.