MINISTERS AND SOCIALISTS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2183, 6 May 1908, Page 1

MINISTERS AND SOCIALISTS.

A LIVELY MEETING IN WEL- ’ LINGTON. THIS BOOKMAKERS TAKE A HAND. (Special to “Times.”) WELLINGTON, May. (5. Three local clergymen who addressed ah open-air mooting here to-day in front of the Post Office had a lively time. They were the Revs. J. J'. North, A. Dewdnoy, and 11. Holiday. According to the “Pont” reporter, Mr. Dewdnoy was the first to speak. “Gentjemoii,” lie began. “Coincides.” shouted a voice on the edge of the crowd, where a potvalorous and or rm.noly argumentative individual was conducting a little forum of his own.

“We want questions answered,” came from;-Jin If a dozen voices in front of thffwnggon. “They shall he answered,”, said Mr. North, Vising, “five minutes from tlie o closo of tho meeting.” Mr. North’s reception was not what could bo described as cordial.

Mr. Uewdney: “Wo may- be l everything as bad us some people say wo are ”

“So you are,” camo from the centre of tlio group. “.Hut,” resumed Mr. Dewdnoy, “all wo wish to toll you is that tho gospel of Jesus Christ —” “Why don’t you preach it?” “We do, we do,” cried Mr. Dowdney.

“Jesus Christ was tho biggest Socialist who ever walked tho earth,” shouted an elderly wharf-worker. “So. ho was, so ho was,” assented Mr. Uewdney. The boisterous interruption rendered the rev. gentleman’s remarks only partially audible, but lie was understood to level a severo charge of grinding tho faces of tho poor against tho English landlords in “Tory Surrey,” whetico Mr. Dewdnoy said he camo. “Did you ever shovel coal?” asked a lumper. Tho reply, if any, was lost in tho laughter. Mil. NORTH’S EFFORT. Then several men shouted, “Wo want North,” and up stood Mr North to a chorus of hooting. “I have fought many a fight, and liavo always fought fairly,” said Mr. North. “Oh, oh!” cried the crowd. “In Heaven thero is not a iug ol boor, a pipe, or short hours,” continued Mr. Nortli. “Wo want no hours at all,” cried a worker. It was verv difficult to follow Mr. North by reason of tho uproar, hut ho was heard to say that ho would willingly answer reasonable questions. This invitation brought forth a request for a tip for tho Marlborough Cup. Mr. North smiled, hut expressed no opinion. SOME QUERIES ANSWERED. “Now, Mr. North,” asked a grimy interrogator, “Is it possible to live tlio Christian life under tho present competitive system?” Mr. North: That-system is wrong.

Tho qucriest:lf the system is wrong why do you advocate it?” Mr; North: I have never advocated it. I have always condemned it.”

“Very well,” said the querist, returning to tho attack, “Is it the will of God that 300,000 people made in His imago and likeness should die of starvation annually?” Mr. North: No. God does not will any to . die of starvation. This is a scandal. Tho querist agreed, but “Why,” lie asked, “does God permit it?” Mr. North was understood, through the hubbub, to place upon men tho responsibility of this unsatisfactory state of tilings. BOOKMAKING AND BILLIARD . SALOONS. Tho interruptions continued for a time until a gentleman, who said his name was “H. J. Baker,” got up into the waggon. “Everybody knows me,” added Mr. Baker. He then referred to a letter sent to tho City Council in connection with tho billiard saloons written, lie said, by Mr. Nortli, and charging certain book-makers, whom lie named, with running their business in eoimection with the saloons.

Just then a seaman, clambering up into the waggon, everybody cheered. The seaman’s face was red, and his voice was husky, but lie disagreed with everything and everybody. Mr. Bailor got down; so did the seaman. Mr. Baker got up again and issued a challenge, “I’ll give £lO to any charity in Wellington,” he said, “if Mr. North proves that bookmakers are using their billiard saloons as a cloak for their book-making. If Mr. North fails to prove his statements, then he will give £lO to some cliaritablo purpose.” Mr. North: I’ll do it.

Mr. Baker (flourishing a tobacco box aud a pockot-boolc): Here’s money. , . The crowd cheered, more questions followed, and more disorder, and a filial invitation was givcii by a youth (who was on tlio waggon) to Mr. North ami liis friends to “’join our. Socialist party, where wo win give him a warm welcome.” Mr. North said as lie was leaving —— “Well, come here again to-mor-row.” “Ail open-air service will be held this evening as advertised. A procession will follow, and in tlio Vivian Street Church Mr. Hobday will spoak on “The Value of Decision.”