“DIVINE PLAN”

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 964, 6 May 1930, Page 7

“DIVINE PLAN”

MR. STALLWORTHY TAKES CRITICS TO TASK MAN OF PRINCIPLE “When 1 was placed in my present position I confessed that I believed that God had a plan for every man and He had one for me. 1 spoke from the bottom of my heart and 1 do not recant now’.” So said the Minister of Health, the Hon. A. J. Stallworthy, speaking at Gordon ltoad Hall, Mount Eden, ia/ii evening, when he took strong exception to the statements made by Mr K. A. Wright, Reform M.P. for Wellington Suburbs, and Mr. T. Bloodworth, Labour candidate for Parnell, regarding his “virtues and follies.” Mr. S. E. Chappell was in the chair. The chairman said it was astonishing that taunts had come from a prominent member of the Opposition who held the same beliefs as Mr. Stallworthy. The difference between the two men was that Mr. Stallworthy had the courage of his convictions. "I am not disconcerted by any criticism of my virtues or follies,” said Mr. Staliworthy, who was greeted with applause. ”i have sincerity in the Christian faith and let scoff who will The man who attacks the fundamental beliefs of another man stoops indeed.” ADDRESSED 500 PEOPLE

I Mr. Wright has said 1 have taken no part in the Parnell by-electiou.” continued Mr. Stallworthy. "1 must correct him. At the opening of the campaign l was present and was invited to address a meeting of no less than 500 people. I spoke in favour of the United Party policy. The meeting was open to the public and there is no doubt that a number were not supporters of the United Party. I certainly took a leading part in the eumPa ß?r! Blood worth had been foolish enough to say that the country had a Minister of Health who had a divine mission in life. "I do not accuse Mr. Blood worth of being an atheist or an infidel.” said Mr. Staliworthy. “He can do wliat he likes, but not for Mr. Bloodworth or any other man in or out of the Dominion will I x-ecant the basic principles of my life. I don’t care a fig for criticism, so long as I am living lip to my principles, but I feel that an attack on my religion is an attack on every other person's religion. However, we can leave the electors ot other parts of the Dominion to deal with these men in the manner of their own hearts.”