CRYSTAL=GAZERS

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1412, 12 April 1912, Page 7

CRYSTAL=GAZERS

AND OTHER QUACKS OF THE DAY. . HOW TO STOP THEM? Mr. William M'l.ean, ifresidenl of the Wellington Spiritualists' Association, has returned from the annual conference of Spiritualists, which this year was held in Christchiireh. The conference was attended by Spiritualists from all parts of the Dominion, to the number of about thirty, and there were al:-o two representatives from Melbourne, .Air. John Wilson, an English medium, and -Ill's. Wilson. One of the mosl important matters lonched on was the placing before the conference of a draft of a short Act which it was subsequently proposed to submit to Parliament. -Air. M'Lean, who brought the matter forward, informed a repurier yrsterdiy that all that tliey were secking'to do in asking for legislation was the right to protect: good spiritualistic mediums, and to taboo quacks. They wero asking no favours-whatever, but they did want" the same measure of protection that was granted to other religions. The motion to adopt the Bill was moved 'by Mr. M'Lean, seconded by Mr. John \Vilson, and carried unanimously. The following are some extracts from the draft Bill:-'

"No person shall give readings, either publicly or privately, uinlcr any of the following guises-, medium, inspirational, or trance speaker, or spiritual medium, clairvoyant, clairaudient, p.-ychometrisl, palmist, character-reader, cup-reader, or crystal reader or gazer, without, first obtaining a certificate from the RegistrarGeneral."

"Xo person shall act as medium, sensitive, (earlier, leclurer. or speak without first eerlificnte from Hie Reg-istrar-General."

"No person shall advertise in a public newspaper in any of the. capacities mentioned in clauses 6 and 7. nor shall Ihey put up or exhibit any sign whether such sign be printed, painted, or written, nor shall any person by word, act, or otherwise represent that they are qualified lo net in any ol the capacities: mentioned in this Act."

"No person shall 'advertise as a healer or demonstrator (whether by magnetic or spiritual or any other form of healing) without first obtaining a certificate from Iho Registrar-General. The RegistrarGeneral may, on application by any person holding a rerlilieale from Hie executive of tin' New Zealand National Association of Spiritualist:, j s « u ,, ~ (-ci-(itic-ati-lo -iich applicant."

"Any person acting in any of the capacities mentioned in this Act without being in po-i-t-'-'ioii of a certificate from the Registrar-General shall on conviclion lor the first olfeace be mulcted in a fine not exceeding 40-., or in default seven davs' iinpi'i.-oiiini-iit with or vvilhuul hard labour, at Hie discretion of Ihe magi--Irate; for Hie second nlt'enre a line unl exceeding .1:5. or. in default. ni„. mnnlh's impri-onmeiil with or without hard-lab-our; for the lliiul and sub-ii-queiil olienies such lerms of iinpri-mmciil not e.vicidin« twelve months, with or willoml hard labour. IV-: to be paid to the Regis. trar-Geucral."

"Anv prr-on in pos-es-iou of a certificate from the Rezislrar-Ge-Mral shall not ha subject to policp prosecutions, imle.-s, of course, such person shall be complained against for soino improper practice."