CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 53, 19 March 1946, Page 5

CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

ARRANGEMENTS FOR DEBATE COMMUNISM & CHRISTIANITY The date fixed for the debate between Messrs. J. Gilmore and Vic Wilcox on the subjects of Communism and Christianity is Wednesday March 27 in the County Council Chambers, Whakatane

This debate will we understand be an honest expression of views by two fairly well known exponents of the above subjects, and both parties have agreed to keep personalities and side issues out of their remarks. It will be a genuine effort to deal with both subjects in a broad and interesting manner, and all who have followed the controversy through these colums will feel impelled to attend if only from an educational point of view. Mr Gilmore is an enthusiast in his theme of Christianity and the uncanny fulfilment of the prophesies mentioned in the Bible. He is a lone hander in the crusade he has espoused, being completely unattached to any organised group or school of thought. He is well known in Auckland for his fearless and open criticism of Communism purely on spiritual grounds and will probably make this his basis of attack on Wednesday week. Mr Vic Wilcox, is organiser for the National Executive of the New Zealand Communist Party, and has already addressed meetings in this district. He is understood to be tolerantly broadminded and a good forthright speaker. In accordance with Mr Gilmore’s terms he will speak first, and will probably introduce the fundamental basis of Communism as being undeniably Christian in its application.'

We welcome this outcome of a newspaper argument and feel that the willingness of both parties to come together in a friendly way on the public platform is something of a triumph of diplomacy and honesty of purpose. In comparing these two vital viewpoints humanity has nothing to be ashamed of—rather it has everything to gain. In the world of strained opinions and misunderstandings it is of the utmost urgency that all the light possible should be thrown upon both sides of this immense question.. Only by so doing can we hope to achieve human harmony.