FORTHCOMING DEBATE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 54, 22 March 1946, Page 5

FORTHCOMING DEBATE

TWO VITAL WORLD ISSUES GRAND THEATRE T«E VENUE In view of the representations • of numerous interested persons regarding the forthcoming debate between Messrs. E. Gilmore and V. Wilcox on Christianity and Communism, it has been decided to hire the Grand Theatre instead of the County Council meeting room for the event on Wednesday evening next.

The widespread public interest is exemplified by the large number of enquiries which have come to hand concerning the debate which is expected to last for approximately two hours, and over which Mr H. G. Warren, President of the Chamber of Commerce will act as chairman. In view of the world situation and the intense curiosity and speculation as to the role which Russia will play in the next few weeks the debate should be regarded by all as an educational outlet to afford a wider grasp of the fundamentals of each school of thought, a course which only the most biassed would seek to evade.

The upshot of this meeting on the public platform of the champions of two philosophies must surely furnish fresh proof of our own democratic powers of toleration and national tact. Arising out of an exchange of letters through the press, the opposing parties have been brought together for public edification. The issues are world-wide and both of them dominate the international scene as it stands today. Our idea in arranging for a genuine comparison of views from either side was governed by nothing more than a desire to give a fair and impartial hearing to both sides under orderly and properly conducted proceedings. The BEACON has no apologies to make for the part it has played for in view of the vital importance of each issue we feel that the public cannot have too much information on either subject at the present time in order to arrive at a fair-minded conclusion. This is the ‘British’ way and our action will we feel be endorsed by the majority of our readers.