WHITHER BOUND ‘MR BRITISHER'

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 40, 1 February 1946, Page 4

WHITHER BOUND ‘MR BRITISHER'

Sir—lt is unfortunate that Hr Gilmore was so “astounded” by the fact that he had not bear'd that I was. obliged to get someone to take my place in answering his challenge to a debate. I naturally concluded that he subscribed to papers that he was frequently and free of. charge to broadcast his unfounded rumours against the U.S.S.Tt. and Communism. Apparently be does not, but perhaps this is Hr Gilmore’s idea of the. freedom of the press.

Anyway as Mr Gilmore did not give his address when issuing his challenge 1 notified him by my let-* ter to the Beacon of December 14 of my inability to debate and said then “I am seeing what arrangements can lie made for someone to act in my place.” During Xmas week t wrote to the Editor of. the, Beacon advising him that Mr Wlk cox would act lor me on January if) ail'd authorising him, provided that date suited Mr Gilmore, to engage a suitable hall on my behalf for the debate. 1

Now for Mr Gilmore’s letter of January H which as usual consists; mostly of misstatements.

He did issue a challenge “to a Mr Hallett to a debates, on Communism” etc. Ilis words were “i am prepared to debate the question of the difference between Communism and Communist Party yr Christianity in any public ball in Whalcatane at a time to suit both parties.” “A Mr Hallett” was not mentioned in the challenge, and I did all that was possible to notify Mr Gilmore of the arrangement we were malting. - ' ,

Mr Wilcox is not the secretary to the Communist Party. Mr Williams holds that position. That Mr Gilmore has heard Mr Wilcox speak at street meetings, is only half the tale, Mr Wilcox has heard Mr, Gilmore there very frequently out with a competent chairman we expect to avoid interruptions in our Whakatane debate. In fact we have complete confidence that a chairman appointed ■ by 1 Mr Kingsley-Smith ivill conduct the debate. in an orderly manner confining the speakers to Christianity and Communism so the request by Mr Gilmort] that Mr Wilcox will give his word through, your paper etc. v is quite unnecessary to say the least of it Mr Wilcox, or anyone else, can not speak of “Communism its success or failure, wherever it has. been, tried” as Mr Gilmore stipulates because it has never been tried yet. If Mr Gilmore does not ’know the difference betweten Socialism and Communism the Oxford Dictionary will enlighten him. Who suggested bringing the Labour Party into the debate ?

Mr Gilmore offers, the 12th or 20th of February for a debate. Does he know that Mr Wilcox will be engaged at the C P. Conference at that time? However, if Mr Gilmore’s heart has not really failed him ? I suggest that he leave a, list of dates at the Beacon Office showing just when he will be in Wliakatane an'd provided Mr Wilcox can arrange his engagements so that he can be here at the. same time he is willing to act for. me in the proposed debate, provided the usual rules; relating to public debates are strictly observed. Mr Wilcox is also willing to quote bis authorities etc. provided of course that Mr Gilmore observes the sajpe £btiifully, and he will open the debate as suggested. In conclusion it is to be hoped that Mr Gilmore will practice what he preaches as to quoting in any future letters he writes. For instance Where does the Schofield Bible warn us about Russia creating world unrest? Preference should of course be given to British authorities of good repute, and not to the well paid hirelings of the millionaire owned press, armament manufacturers, etc. They worship the almighty dollar and to treat the' commandment “Thou shalt not bear false witness with contempt.”

Yours etc. ? C. J. HALLETT.