MR. JOSEPH M'CABE

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 858, 2 July 1910, Page 7

MR. JOSEPH M'CABE

WELCOMED TO WELLINGTON. Mr. Joseph M'Cabe. the well-known "iiecjeiitific. and; rationalist lccturer, arrived . ill, Wellington yesterday, and. was welcomed at a public reception at Godber'a, Cuba Street, in the'evening. Upwards of sixty people attended, and Mr. John Gammell, 8.A., presided. Apologies for absence were received from' 'Sir Robert. Stout and-.others. . •

Mr. M'Cabe, having been briefly welcomed by the chairman, delivered' 1 an 'interesting address. He .remarked that at other places he bad visited the pleaisant gatherings wero usually at Ill's-, departure., (Laughter.) He;had, on the whole, .been very, .vvell .receiyed in. Aust. tralasia ,so far, . though at Sydney- lie threatened w;th'assassination. friend George' Jacob Solyoakevhad--'called himself "a peddler in opinions." He would ajlbpt the phrase with, a. differ-, ence,' and call himself a. peddler , of, cultore. ;Jn .Qther f words, he dealt', in the material for forming, opinions. Ho desired to act as an apos'tle of evolutionary culture, and brtng under, people's notice the most recent discoveries and the broadest views that modern science.could give. ■ If these thought?-conflicted, with views, that was not liis concern. He. did not come to-Wellington to stir up sectarian strife. (Hear, hear.) .If the" .world : decided.-.to cling to its old. opinions, let it do so,..but.he wanted to;' insure that tho-,world should have things.placed-- before it in.-the proper light.;. He. welcomed.criticism and discussion at. his meetings, and he could assure thehv that nobody would hear from him any offensive 'reference to the religious beliefs of anyone present. Ho waiit-ed' to.'take back -to England ! a 'knowledge that there, was a broadminded spirit of inquiry in New. Zealand. His progressthrough Australia had been almost painfully peaceful and prosperous, and' if .anybody cared to' make his visit, to Wellington less so, and break a. friendly lance for the sake of the, general culture of the public, ho would- be glad to, meet such an opponent.' (Applause.)' Professor Mackenzie added a few -words of welcome to the visitor. He mentioned that lie bad read all Mr. M'Cabe's . books, and had looked forward to his visit with 'the most pleasurable anticipations. He moved a hearty vote of thanks, which was carTied with acclamation. Several- other gentlemen also spoke.

Mr. Joseph M'Cabe's series of lee-' tures.begins .this• evening- in the Town Hall, when lie will discuss "Secular Education." On Sunday evening he will deal with -"The Church and Modern Progress" m His Majesty's Theatre, Courtenay .Place. On Monday he de-livers-an illustrated -.address in the Concert Chamber- of'..the Town Ilall on 11)0 Evolution of Man"; and on Tuesday'an; illustrated • address oh '"The of Morality ■ and Civilisation" in the-Town Hall.